Next Stop: The Future!

I have a strong memory as a youngster being helped by my Dad to try out my new Chemistry Set on my birthday. As scientists themselves, my parents were keen to encourage me to follow a STEM career but alas I was not enticed. Maybe if there had been books like this one my path would have been different!

This hardback covers lots of new ideas for future scientific innovations, and is divided into four chapters: Space; Machines; Our World; The Body. Information is presented in bite sized chunks and is clearly illustrated throughout. I learned lots of interesting facts e.g. babies born on Mars would ‘grow into much taller adults than if they were born on Earth, thanks to Mars’ weak gravity’ (p. 25). There are amazing robots being built, such as the robot seal created to help those who are unwell feel more comfortable. They can communicate with their owner who can cuddle and stroke them, as its flippers and head move! (p.47).

Each chapter ends with a spread explaining 10 Bonus Facts on the topic covered by the preceding section. I was intrigued by the Machines bonus fact number 7 which stated that AI might one day enable animals to talk to humans, ‘Zoolingua is a project that is trying to decode animal body language and noises so that we can understand and communicate with them, starting with dogs’ (p.73).  

Curious students aged 9 upwards will be amazed at the science projects described in this accessible book. It is pitched perfectly for this age group, and students will likely prefer to dip into it rather than read it in one sitting. There are some fun illustrations which keep the reader interested, and the added section before the helpful Index explains ‘Science Words’ the author has used in the text. I am sure this publication will help to steer some young people down the STEM career path!