PotsandPlots

Once upon a time, I had a life of scientific research ahead of me. For whatever reason (mostly that I’m lazy), it didn’t quite work out that way. How much young me would have loved Scientists Making A Difference by Sir Shini Somara

Growing Information:

Plant With: Science, Education, Inspiration

Grows Into: A fascinating look at the forefront of scientific research and a launchpad for young scientists.

Rating: Hardy Perennial 🌻🌻🌻(Check here for rating information.)

Available now in hardback (affiliate link).

Book Overview:

I love What On Earth! books; they’re always so engaging and informative. Scientists Making a Difference is no exception. It offers profiles of 47 scientists working at the frontiers of human knowledge on projects that will hopefully benefit us all.

Not only is it a primer on what scientists do, it also sets out the the path to becoming one. Shini Somara is very persuasive that anybody with a scientific dream can pursue a career in their chosen field. The book opens with an overview of the broad types of scientists that there are, offering a breakdown of the pathway, both academic and via apprenticeships, of the routes to get there.

The main body of Scientists Making a Difference is broken into 12 chapters, each one examining different fields of science, including AI, data science, ecology, medicine and astrophysics.

Each subject chapter looks at 4 or 5 pioneers in the field and then closes out with a double-page deeper dive into one aspect of the discipline, for example, supercomputers or searching for exoplanets.

The scientist profiles make for interesting reading, and all follow the same format. A Q&A about the scientist’s day-to-day life, what inspired them, and what their area of research encompasses. There’s a fact file in a corner tab for each that describes exciting or fun details about the job, with a list of career highlights.

The profiles are drawn from a diverse range of scientists of different ages and backgrounds.

The book closes out with a 4-page timeline of science from prehistory to the present day, which is always a pleasure to find, as well as a glossary, index and a list of sources. Scattered throughout the book are QR codes that allow readers to meet the scientists and learn more about their work. A welcome addition!

The Review:

Scientists Making a Difference does exactly what it sets out to do. It’s quite wordy, so almost certainly for older wannabe scientists (around 12 upwards), but it’s both inspirational and informative.

The book covers a host of interesting topics, and not only tells you something about a career in that area, but also imparts knowledge about the subject too. It highlights the broad umbrella covered by the term “science career.” There are areas of science here that I barely knew existed.

The diverse range of scientists included will go far to show any reader that they too can make it as a scientist, while making it clear that hard graft is needed to succeed.

This is an excellent book that should definitely be in every school library and science block. For those curious about the depth and breadth of modern science, it will make an excellent addition to their home library too.

I’m like a stuck record about What on Earth! books. They consistently knock it out of the park in terms of quality and interest. Scientists Making a Difference by Dr Shini Somara is no exception.