All in a Day's Work-Careers Using Science

Oct 17, 03:42 AM

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All in a Day's Work-Careers Using Science. Megan Sullivan. Arlington, VA: NSTA Press, National Science Teachers Association, 2007. 93 pp. $15.95 (paperback). ISBN: 978-1-93353-107-6. This collection of journal entries contains brief descriptions of thirty- four science careers. Each career begins with a description of a person in a specific field and why they selected it. Careers range from animal nutritionist to foodborne disease epidemiologist. Most entries include a picture of the person, the education required for the job, Web sites that provide additional information, and related careers.

The careers profiled in this easy-toread book are classified under the following categories: Teacher, The Adventurous Life, Animal Kingdom, Artistic Endeavors, Environmental Issues, Health and Fitness, Let's Investigate, Research and Development, Technology and Toys, and What We Eat. Between one and five careers are listed per category. NSTA News says, "There's sure to be something for everyone! There's the expected (High School Teacher), the unexpected (Firefighter), the adventurous (Deep-Cave Explorer), and the offbeat (Perfumer)." There is bound to be a career that piques the interest of each of your students.

Common themes, outlined in the introduction, including the following: (a) the only thing certain is that nothing is certain; (b) education is more important than ever; (c) there are many paths to discovering what you want to do and what you will become; (d) most careers require multidisciplinary approaches; (e) most careers require a working knowledge of science and mathematics; (f) science careers are among the most interesting and rewarding; and (g) you can have a career in science (pp. viii-xi). Although intended for high school students, this advice is just as pertinent for elementary and middle school students.

With descriptions of real people doing science, this book on science careers is an excellent reference for any elementary, middle school, or high school media center. It appeals to all children, regardless of their amount of experience with careers in science. The National Science Teachers Association has another winner.

Copyright Heldref Publications Summer 2007

(c) 2007 Science Activities. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.