give_me_a_latte Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 My son has become interested in these things. I don't even know the right words for them. From a google search it seems it may be relativity? He watches YouTube videos of scientists discussing worm holes, and space time, and things of that nature. I was hoping to find a simple (ha!) book that might appeal to him, but obviously I'm just finding books written for intro high school or college students. Any suggestions? I could handle his dinosaur fascination and his Titanic phase, but I'm out of my league on this one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space station Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 My daughters enjoyed the "Fabric of the Cosmos" series of 4 videos (available free on Netflix). We watched the videos first, and then they read the book by the same name. It is written for adults, but both the videos and the book are very approachable for the general public. The author and host of the videos explains things very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paige Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 What age level are you looking for? DS really likes Michio Kaku's books (Physics of the Future, Physics of the Impossible, and similar). They are written in fairly understandable language for a good reader. DS is 12. He also has a more basic book that would be better for elementary school but I'm having a hard time remembering the title and it's on the bookshelf by his bed so I don't want to look. Here are the others: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1848311206/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1840468505/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenmama2 Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 How old is he? I think a lot of "popular science" books on those topics are quite approachable for bright 11/12 year olds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 George's Secret Key to the Universe...and next two in series. Fiction, but good. Ds also enjoyed Physics of the Future Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 The Uncle Albert books by Russell Stannard are also quite good: The Time and Space of Uncle Albert Black Holes and Uncle Albert Uncle Albert and the Quantum Quest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
give_me_a_latte Posted March 30, 2014 Author Share Posted March 30, 2014 Thanks for all the suggestions! He's seven, so some of these are still a little much for him. The George books and Uncle Albert books might be a good place to start, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
give_me_a_latte Posted March 30, 2014 Author Share Posted March 30, 2014 My daughters enjoyed the "Fabric of the Cosmos" series of 4 videos (available free on Netflix). We watched the videos first, and then they read the book by the same name. It is written for adults, but both the videos and the book are very approachable for the general public. The author and host of the videos explains things very well. I don't see these on Netflix. Not even to order as DVDs. Is "Fabric of the Cosmos" the correct title? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 I don't see these on Netflix. Not even to order as DVDs. Is "Fabric of the Cosmos" the correct title? Check YouTube. I see full episodes there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avilma Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 I am usually against teaching little kids advanced theories like Calculus, because while they may appear to understand and even enjoy the details they usually have difficulty getting the big picture and they will forget the details as soon as they stop being taught the theory. But I think the Theory of Relativity is something that actually can be done with kids and it can be useful for them. The reason I say this is because Einstein used a lot of thought experiments. Or it could be that I am partial since I used to teach Theory of Relativity in college :) So take it with a grain of salt but I think that talking about time dilation is a great way to have kids start thinking about time. And since even Physics majors in college have difficulties understanding that and related concepts, the earlier you start the better it is. As for what books to use with a kid I don't have any experience yet, but I see that this book has good comments. But be aware that it might not be what your child is expecting. For example I doubt it talks about worm holes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dharmacat Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 We like this graphic book: Introducing Stephen Hawking by Zarate & McEvoy. It gives good info. on the human side of science, as well as on his theories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deerforest Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 This week's Cosmo's episode touched upon space/time relativity and blackholes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73349 Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 The Fabric of the Cosmos is a NOVA miniseries based on a book by Brian Greene. DS loved it. We've also done the gravity thing where you stretch out a towel/blanket and put objects on it and watch the way the fabric and objects behave. DS liked it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paige Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 The Fabric of the Cosmos is a NOVA miniseries based on a book by Brian Greene. DS loved it. We've also done the gravity thing where you stretch out a towel/blanket and put objects on it and watch the way the fabric and objects behave. DS liked it. My DD (6) loved that show! She was so sad when we watched the last one. DS (12) liked it, but I expected him to. DD was a surprise. DDs (9) slept through it. You can find it on Amazon Instant Video. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raptor_dad Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 DS enjoyed the "Really, Really Big Questions" series of books like http://www.amazon.com/Really-Questions-About-Space-Time/dp/075346747X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1396369800&sr=8-3&keywords=big+question+space+time It is not that in depth but introduces the questions well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staceyshoe Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 World Science U? It's video-based.http://www.worldscienceu.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SierraNevada Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 There is a Horrible Science book along those lines called, "Space, Stars, and Slimy Aliens". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 There is a Horrible Science book along those lines called, "Space, Stars, and Slimy Aliens". And Gobsmacking Galaxy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
give_me_a_latte Posted April 2, 2014 Author Share Posted April 2, 2014 I love all these suggestions. Thank you all! Keep them coming if there are more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daijobu Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 Relativity Visualized by Lewis Caroll Epstein. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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