The Outdoor Scientist: The Wonder of Observing the Natural World

The Outdoor Scientist: The Wonder of Observing the Natural World

From New York Times bestselling author and world-renowned scientist and autism spokesperson Temple Grandin comes a book about exploring the world around us, asking questions, and making sense of what we see--with 40 fun outdoor activities that promote independent thinking, which kids can enjoy all year round! What are the aerodynamics of skipping stones or the physics of making sandcastles? Do birds use GPS to navigate their migratory routes? In this book, Dr. Temple Grandin, an inventor and world-renowned scientist, introduces readers to geologists, astrophysicists, oceanographers, and many other scientists who unlock the wonders of the natural world. She shares her childhood experiences and observations, whether on the beach, in the woods, working with horses, or gazing up at the night sky. This book explores all areas of nature and gives readers the tools to discover even more on their own. With forty projects to give readers a deeper understanding of the world around them, from the depths of space to their own backyard, this is a perfect read for budding scientists, inventors, and creators! Praise for The Outdoor Scientist : * "This terrific science book will appeal to both teachers and young readers who love to be outdoors." -- School Library Connection , *STARRED REVIEW* "Grandin’s words are a rallying cry for budding scientists and she serves as a role model for young readers with autism. This is an important STEM and STEAM resource for every collection." -- School Library Journal "The book is chock-full of information . . . the kind a nature-loving child will be thrilled to discover. An invitation to young readers to observe, enjoy, and learn about the world around us all." -- Kirkus Reviews Praise for  The Outdoor Scientist : *  "This terrific science book will appeal to both teachers and young readers who love to be outdoors." -- School Library Connection , *STARRED REVIEW* "Grandin’s words are a rallying cry for budding scientists and she serves as a role model for young readers with autism. This is an important STEM and STEAM resource for every collection." -- School Library Journal  "The book is chock-full of information . . . the kind a nature-loving child will be thrilled to discover. An invitation to young readers to observe, enjoy, and learn about the world around us all." -- Kirkus Reviews Temple Grandin (templegrandin.com) is one of the world's most accomplished and well-known adults with autism. She has a PhD in animal science from the University of Illinois and is a professor at Colorado State University. She is the author of twelve books on autism and animal behavior, including the national bestsellers Calling All Minds , Thinking in Pictures , and Animals in Translation . Dr. Grandin was inducted in the National Women's Hall of Fame and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and in 2018 she was made a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She lectures to parents and teachers throughout the U.S. on her experiences with autism, and her work has been covered in the New York Times , People , National Public Radio, and 20/20 . Most recently she was named one of TIME magazine's 100 most influential people of the year. The HBO movie based on her life, starring Claire Danes, received seven Emmy Awards. Contents Chapter One: Rocks Chapter Two: The Beach Chapter Three: The Woods Chapter Four: Birds Chapter Five: The Night Skies Chapter Six: Animal Behavior Conclusion Introduction As a child, my world was divided into two places: inside and outside. It was the 1950s, and if we had any say, my siblings and I preferred to play outside. We just loved being outdoors, whether it was the neighborhood with its playgrounds or our backyard or the woods beyond. Anything we found outside was fair game for our entertainment: we made daisy chains, pressed flowers, built tree houses out of scrap lumber. We also flew kites and raced our bikes. I could spend an entire day on my bike pretending it was a horse or a car or a rocket. I can still remember summer nights when the sun set late, and my mother would call to us from the screen door to get inside. Her voice would get increasingly irritated, as it was almost impossible to drag us away from our games of kick the can, four square, hopscotch, and double Dutch jump rope (which I was terrible at). Another reason I didn’t like going inside: I dreaded bath time. My mother would be shocked at the layers of grime and filth from a day of playing outdoors. To me, they were a badge of honor. The outdoors is where I first started making discoveries, though I never would have called them that. I never would have thought that splitting rocks, or collecting shells, or dissecting flower buds was something scientists did to unravel Earth’s mysteries. To my mind, I was just playing. It’s only looking back now that I see how curiosity led to observation, and how observation is at the heart of all s