Produced for PBS by the WGBH Science Unit 125 Western Avenue Boston Massachusetts 02134 Telephone 617-300-4340 Fax 617-300-1003 www.pbs.org/nova Major funding is provided by Google Dear Librarian, Sir Isaac Newton was one of the greatest scientists who ever lived. He invented calculus, figured out the composition of light, and determined the laws of gravity and motion. His rules about how objects move were so accurate that—more than 300 years later—they are still being used to launch rockets and understand space travel. But research is uncovering a Newton no one ever knew existed. The study of Newton’s own personal papers, many written in secret code, is bringing to light an intense, private man for whom religion and science were inseparable. Historians now know that Newton owned more than 30 Bibles, and that he used alchemy as an avenue to study the nature of matter. On November 15, tune into NOVA’s “Newton’s Dark Secrets” to discover a complete picture of this enigmatic man—his science, his personal beliefs, and the times in which he lived. With generous support from the National Science Foundation, we’ve produced this library resource kit to accompany the program. The kit, which has been reviewed by a national board of public librarians, has been designed for libraries of all sizes and visitors of all ages. Use the display sheets to illuminate Newton’s work in gravity, light, and alchemy; conduct the activities to provide children with the sense of wonder Newton felt about the natural world; and engage visitors with handouts that offer doorways into Newton’s life and the science that excited him. We hope you will use this library kit to create science programming that helps your community gain insight into who Newton really was and how his science changed our view of the world. We would love to hear how this kit works for you; please send your comments to [email protected]. Your feedback will help ensure that future projects like this one are interesting and useful to all librarians. Paula S. Apsell NOVA Executive Producer September 12, 2005
Transcript
Produced for PBS by theWGBH Science Unit125 Western AvenueBostonMassachusetts02134
Sir Isaac Newton was one of the greatest scientists who ever lived. He invented calculus, fi gured out the composition of light, and determined the laws of gravity and motion. His rules about how objects move were so accurate that—more than 300 years later—they are still being used to launch rockets and understand space travel.
But research is uncovering a Newton no one ever knew existed. The study of Newton’s own personal papers, many written in secret code, is bringing to light an intense, private man for whom religion and science were inseparable. Historians now know that Newton owned more than 30 Bibles, and that he used alchemy as an avenue to study the nature of matter. On November 15, tune into NOVA’s “Newton’s Dark Secrets” to discover a complete picture of this enigmatic man—his science, his personal beliefs, and the times in which he lived.
With generous support from the National Science Foundation, we’ve produced this library resource kit to accompany the program. The kit, which has been reviewed by a national board of public librarians, has been designed for libraries of all sizes and visitors of all ages. Use the display sheets to illuminate Newton’s work in gravity, light, and alchemy; conduct the activities to provide children with the sense of wonder Newton felt about the natural world; and engage visitors with handouts that offer doorways into Newton’s life and the science that excited him.
We hope you will use this library kit to create science programming that helps your community gain insight into who Newton really was and how his science changed our view of the world. We would love to hear how this kit works for you; please send your comments to [email protected]. Your feedback will help ensure that future projects like this one are interesting and useful to all librarians.
Paula S. ApsellNOVA Executive Producer
September 12, 2005
CreditsThe Newton’s Dark Secrets Library Resource Kit was produced by the Resource Kit was produced by the Resource KitEducational Outreach department of the WGBH Educational Foundation.
Director, Educational OutreachKaren Barss
Manager, Educational ContentSonja Latimore
Editorial Project DirectorKaren Hartley
Assistant EditorJoan Pedersen
WriterMargy Kuntz
DesignersPeter LyonsRusha Sopariwala
Photo ResearcherDebby Paddock
IllustratorHannah Bonner
Print ProductionLenore Gibson
Advisory BoardFrances L. AshburnNorth Carolina Center for the BookState Library of North CarolinaRaleigh, North Carolina
Catherine M. ClancyBoston Public LibraryHonan-Allston BranchBoston, Massachusetts
Kathleen T. HorningCooperative Children’s Book CenterUniversity of WisconsinSchool of EducationMadison, Wisconsin
Sue McCleaf NespecaKid Lit Plus ConsultingYoungstown, Ohio
Deb RobertsonPublic Programs Offi ceAmerican Library AssociationChicago, Illinois
Lisa Sheffi eldTransylvania County LibraryBrevard, North Carolina
Major corporate funding for NOVA is provided by Google.
Additional funding is provided by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers.
Major funding for “Newton’s Dark Secrets” provided by the National Science Foundation. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 9901978. Any opinions, fi ndings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily refl ect the views of the National Science Foundation.
The NOVA television series is produced by WGBH Boston, which is solely responsible for its content, and distributed by the Public Broadcasting Service.
NOVA is a trademark and service mark of the WGBH Educational Foundation.
Permission is granted for reproduction of this printed material by schools and librarians for educational use only. All other rights reserved. Other than as discussed above, no part of the Newton’s Dark Secrets Library Resource Kit may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval Resource Kit may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval Resource Kitsystem, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the WGBH Educational Foundation, 125 Western Avenue, Boston, MA 02134.
NOVA is closed captioned and described by the Media Access Group at WGBH for viewers who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or visually impaired. The descriptive narration is available on the second audio program (SAP) channel of stereo TVs and VCRs.
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Using This Library Resource KitWelcome to NOVA’s Newton’s Dark Secrets Library Resource Kit. This kit accompanies NOVA’s program about Isaac Newton—his work and his life—which is scheduled to air November 15, 2005, at 8 pm. (Check local listings as dates and times may vary.) We hope you will use this kit to create displays, conduct science activities, create library programs, and plan community events to help engage your audiences in the excitement of science.
ContentsWho Was Sir Isaac Newton?Use this handout to help your patrons discover more about the life of Sir Isaac Newton.
Program Ideas and TipsFind ideas to help you incorporate NOVA’s “Newton’s Dark Secrets” into your event and program schedule and tips for how you can work with partner organizations to interest your audiences in Newton and other scientists. This section includes: • Programs and Events • Activities Using Library Resources • Library Display Ideas • Resources for Programs and Events
BibliographyUse the bibliography to create displays and activities using reference books, or to help patrons learn more about Newton. The bibliography includes resources for: • Newton’s Life and Works • Calculus, Physics, and Astronomy • History of Science and Mathematics
Newton ActivitiesUse the activities with programs you host at your library or copy them to distribute to patrons. • Newton’s Discovery (ages 4 and older) • Catch a Rainbow (ages 5 and older) • Parachute Play (ages 6 and older) • Light’s Mysteries (ages 8 and older) • Marble on the Move (ages 10 and older) • Who Am I? (ages 12 and older)
Display SheetsUse the display sheets to create or supplement an exhibit on Newton. • Newton’s Apple • The Better to See Stars With • Rainbow of Light • The Philosopher’s Stone
Copy Our Handouts!Please feel free to copy any of the handouts in this kit. We have designed them to be reproducible. Find downloadable PDF color versions of all the pages in this kit atwww.pbs.org/nova/newton/lrk.html
Science Lessonwww.pbs.org/nova/teachersProvide local teachers with a classroom activity that explores alchemy. Find the activity (available in October 2005) on the NOVA Teachers site listed in the section “Teacher’s Guide by Program Title” under “Newton’s Dark Secrets.” For grades 6–8 and 9–12. .” For grades 6–8 and 9–12. .”Available in html and PDF formats.
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Who Was Sir Isaac Newton?Isaac Newton was one of the leading fi gures of the scientifi c revolution in the seventeenth century. Considered one of the greatest scien-tists who ever lived, Newton devoted his life to the study of the natural world, discovering the laws of gravity and motion, analyzing light, and developing the mathematics of calculus.
Newton was born prematurely on December 25, 1642, in Woolsthorpe, England, to a poor farming family. His father had died before his birth, and he grew up in the care of his mother and grandmother. At the age of 16, after his stepfather’s death, Newton was taken out of school to work on the family farm. However, Newton preferred to spend his time reading. So, at his uncle’s urging, the family sent him back to school.
Newton arrived at Trinity College, University of Cambridge, in 1661. He learned of the scientifi c revolution that had been going on in Europe through the work of Galileo Galilei, Nicolaus Copernicus, Johannes Kepler, and René Descartes. Newton began to question the environment around him, including the nature of matter, light, and color. At the same time, to better understand the texts he was reading, Newton began to study mathematics in earnest, laying the foundation for his later discoveries.
The summer after Newton graduated, in 1665, the plague was spreading in Cambridge. Newton, who had returned to the family farm for the summer, stayed there for the next two years. During this time, Newton established the fundamentals of what is now known as calculus. He also worked on the law of universal gravitation and began forming his three laws of motion.
After the plague subsided in 1667, Newton returned to Cambridge, where he later became the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics. Some people believe that in 1669, Newton began experimenting with alchemy (a medieval philosophy that sought, among other goals, to transform base metals into silver or gold) with the hopes of unraveling the nature and structure of all matter.
In 1672, Newton was elected to the Royal Society. His theories on light and color were published that year in the Royal Society’s journal. After his work criticized because of possible plagiarism (a claim Newton denied), Newton vowed that he would no longer publish scientifi c papers, a vow he kept for many years. Then, in 1687, after spending more than 20 years developing his ideas, Newton published what is generally acknowl-edged to be the greatest scientifi c book ever written, the Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica. The book, which described Newton’s theories on celestial motion and gravity, established his reputation throughout Europe as one of the greatest mathemati-cians and scientifi c thinkers of his day. He published his second major work, Opticks, in 1704.
After dedicating time to public affairs, Newton died in London on March 20, 1727, at the age of 84. He was the fi rst scientist to be honored with a burial in Westminster Abbey.
1642 Born in Woolsthorpe, England, on December 25.
1654 Enrolls at King’s School in Grantham, England, and boards with the town apothecary, Mr. Clark.
1659 Leaves school and returns to Woolsthorpe to learn to manage the family farm.
1661 Enters Trinity College at the University of Cambridge in England.
1664 Becomes more immersed in the study of mathematics and optics.
1665 Graduates from Trinity.1665–67 Plague breaks out in Cambridge.
Newton returns to Woolsthorpe, where he establishes the fundamentals of calculus and continues thinking about gravitation.
1667 Made Fellow of Trinity College.1668 Builds the fi rst functioning refl ecting
telescope.1669 Becomes the Lucasian Professor of
Mathematics at Cambridge University. Begins experiments in alchemy.
1672 Elected Fellow of the Royal Society. Publishes his theory on light and color in the Royal Society’s journal.
1687 Publishes Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica. 1689 Elected as a Member of Parliament for Cambridge University.
1696 Appointed Warden of the Royal Mint, and moves to London.
1699 Becomes Master of the Mint.1701 Resigns as Lucasian Professor.1703 Elected President of the Royal Society,
a post he holds until his death.1704 Publishes Opticks.1705 Knighted by Queen Anne.1713 Publishes the second edition of the
Principia.1727 Dies on March 20.
A Note About DatesAt the time Newton lived, the English calender ran 10–11 days behind the calender used in most of Europe and elsewhere. This time line refl ects the English calender in use during Newton’s lifetime.
Tune InResearch is revealing new information about who Newton really was. Find out more in NOVA’s “Newton’s Dark Secrets” program airing on PBS November 15, 2005. (Check local listings as dates and times may vary.) Visit the companion Web site atwww.pbs.org/nova/newton
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Program Ideas and TipsGeneral Tips• Contact the educational outreach person at your local PBS affi liate to help plan and promote your events.• Offer materials on your library Web site. Link to online downloadable versions of the handouts included in this kit. Augment the resources with a calendar of events and programs or related books.• Create and distribute posters and fl iers announcing your event or program.• Send event information to media outlets, such as newspapers, science center and club newslet- ters, and local radio and television stations. Supply the information to local community, city, and school Web sites. school Web sites.
Programs and Events Adults✷ Invite a guest lecturer to deliver a topical lecture or slide show. Topics to consider include historical scientists, such as Isaac Newton, Galileo Galilei, and Johannes Kepler; science in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries; alchemy and allegory; everyday physics; and the impact of religion on scientifi c research and inventions. Contact a local college or university science, mathematics, or history department for presenters.✷ Show videos about famous scientists and/or mathematicians. Present “Newton’s Dark Secrets” or another video about a notable scientist or mathematician, and have a facilitator lead a related discussion after watching. (Make sure that videos are cleared for public performance rights.)✷ Offer a short class or workshop. Work with a representative from a local amateur astronomy club or a college or university astronomy department to host a class or workshop about planetary motion.
Young Adults✷ Invite a guest speaker to talk about Newton’s contributions to physics, astronomy, and/or math. Contact local high schools, colleges, and physics or astronomy organizations for possible speakers. Distribute copies of the “Who Was Sir Isaac Newton?” handout.✷ Host a young astronomers club. Work with local science teachers or astronomy organizations to host a young astronomers club meeting. Use the “Who Am I?” activity with participants.✷ Hold a science essay contest. Pose the question “How has science infl uenced your life?” Work with a local science teacher to develop contest guidelines and judging criteria. Award prizes. Display the essays in the library. ✷ Plan a quiz show. Create a quiz-show format using questions drawn from books in the bibliography. Invite young adults from science clubs and area schools. Award prizes.✷ Conduct a science-based activity session. Use the “Marble on the Move” and “Who Am I?” activities to spark interest in Newton and present-day scientists. Create and distribute a bibliography that lists additional activity resources.
Children✷ Make a rainbow. Do the “Catch a Rainbow” activity with children, which demonstrates that white light can be separated into its component colors.✷ Hold a book reading and craft event. After presenting a book on Newton or an early astronomer such as Edmund Halley, have children create models of the planets and/or drawings showing how the planets move around the sun.✷ Organize a book reading or video presentation about a famous scientist. Present an age-appropriate book or video from the bibliography about Newton or another scientist. ✷ Conduct a science-based activity session. Use “Newton’s Discovery,” “Parachute Play,” or “Light’s Mysteries,” to introduce children to some of Newton’s science concepts. Create and distribute a bibliography that lists additional activity resources. Recruit high school students or science club members to help conduct the activities.
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Contest IncentivesThink about offering incentives for contests and other events. Some incentives might be tickets to a local museum or science center, books or videos on Newton or related topics, math games or manipulatives, construction toys, or science project supplies. Contact local retailers—such as hobby and craft stores, toy stores, and book-stores—for possible donations.
Activities Using Library Resources These activities are designed to encourage the use of library resources.
Adults✷ Original documents. Plan a discussion around original scientifi c documents and where patrons might locate these materials. Share the resources that your library has to help fi nd these materials.✷ Rare book room tour. If your library has a rare book or manuscript room that contains mathematical or scientifi c texts, arrange a guided tour for patrons.✷ Bookmarks. Print bookmarks with resources for historical scientists or science themes related to Newton’s discoveries. Tailor the bookmarks for different age levels.
Young Adults✷ Science trivia night. Plan a night that focuses on a particular scientist’s work or science subject. Invite a guest who is knowledgeable about that science topic to host the event, and recruit one or two young adults to assist.✷ Scientifi c discovery time line. Provide teens with a list of scientifi c discoveries and ask them to use library resources to fi nd who made each discovery and when each was made. Distribute the “Who Was Sir Isaac Newton?” handout and have teens compare their time lines to the dates when Newton made his discoveries.✷ Recommended resources lists. Have young adults create lists of recommended resources about Newton and related topics for their peers. Display the lists during a presentation or event related to Newton.✷ Call numbers or keywords list. Prepare a list of call numbers or keyword search terms related to Newton, other scientists and mathematicians, alchemy, calculus, the history of science, physics, optics, astronomy, or other related topics. Then ask young adults to research the scientists listed on the “Who Am I?” activity and correctly name the mystery scientists featured on the handout.
Children✷ Science word hunt. Give children a list of science terms commonly used in physics, optics, and/or astronomy. Ask them to use library resources to determine the meaning of each term.✷ Resource posters or bookmarks. Have children help you create posters or bookmarks that can be used to identify the location of resources in the children’s area related to Newton, physics, and math.✷ “Who Am I?” game. List three scientists, including Newton, at the top of a sheet of paper. Then list fi ve or six facts about each scientist elsewhere on the page. Have children use library resources to match the facts with the correct scientist.✷ Science question contest. Have children use library resources to answer a set of developmentally appropriate science questions. Work with a local science teacher or school librarian to develop questions that can tie into school science curriculum.
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Display Tips• When creating display titles, use a few short words in large type size and alliterative phrases to grab patrons’ attention (i.e., “Newton’s Notable Achievements” or “Mar-velous Mathematicians”).• Use fabric instead of paper for bulletin board backgrounds—it lasts longer and is easy to reuse.• Place one or more small boxes or stands on a table to create risers. Then cover tables with cloth or plastic tablecloths. Highlight one book or display item on each riser to create an appealing table display.• To create a poster-size picture for display, photocopy a copyright-free image onto a transparency, then use an overhead projector to magnify it onto a large piece of paper taped to a wall. Trace the outline of the image and then color it in to make the poster.
Library Display Ideas Newton✷ Newton books and videos. Display one or more pictures of Newton along with a time line, selected books and videos (see bibliography for suggestions), and one or more of the activity handouts.✷ Newton’s discoveries. Highlight books and videos about some of Newton’s famous discoveries, along with posters illustrating his laws of motion. Have one or more of the activity handouts available for distribution.
Calculus, Physics, and Astronomy✷ Science activities. Showcase one of the science activities from the activity handouts. Have the chosen handout available for distribution.✷ Light and color. Create a table display that provides illustrations or samples of prisms, lenses, color fi lters, and the electromagnetic spectrum. Have copies of the “Light’s Mysteries” activity handout available for distribution.✷ Orbits of the planets. If possible, display an orrery (a mechanical model of the solar system) or diagrams of early devices that model the relative positions and motions of the planets alongside selected books and videos about astronomy. ✷ The physics of sports, amusement parks, and/or space fl ight. Highlight applications of physics by displaying photographs, posters, and models of real-world items, along with selected books and videos (see the bibliography for suggestions). Have copies of the “Marble on the Move” activity handout available for distribution.✷ School science fair projects. Display selected science fair projects created by local students. Contact science curriculum coordinators in local school systems for referrals. Also contact local homeschool groups regarding science project development.
History of Science✷ Famous scientists and mathematicians. Select titles and resources based on a theme, such as women scientists, famous European scientists, or mathematicians who contributed to the fi eld of calculus (see bibliography for suggestions). Display drawings or photographs of the highlighted people. Consider featuring scientists who are known in your city, region, or state.✷ Historical science and mathematical documents. Profi le several key historical scientifi c or mathematical books, such as Newton’s Principia, Euclid’s Elements, and Kepler’s New Astronomy.✷ Evolution of scientifi c thought. Display books and videos that highlight the evolution of key ideas in science.
Alchemy✷ Alchemists’ laboratories. Create a display highlighting the type of instruments commonly used in alchemy. Include enlarged illustrations of early equipment along with modern-day beakers, mortars and pestles, and crucibles. Contact local science and/or history museums for possible display items.
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Use copies of the bibliography,activities, and display sheets provided in this kit to enhance your displays.
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PBS Local Station Finderwww.pbs.org/stationfi nder/index.htmlType in your Zip code or choose your state to fi nd a listing of local stations and a link for contact information.
Resources for Programs and Events The following is a listing of selected Web resources to help you locate experts, partners, target audiences, and materials for your events, programs, and activities. You can fi nd these links online at www.pbs.org/nova/newton/lrk.html
Schools, Colleges, and Universities✷ American Association of Community Colleges www.aacc.nche.edu Furnishes state-by-state listings of local community colleges (choose “Community College Finder” at the top of the page). Contact information and links to college home pages supplied. Most linked sites include listings for academic departments and faculty. ✷ U.S. Universities by State www.utexas.edu/world/univ/state Provides listing of colleges and universities by state with links to home pages of each institution. Most organizations have department listings or public affairs offi ces that can connect you with experts in a fi eld of interest.✷ Yahoo! Directory: K–12 Schools dir.yahoo.com/Education/K_12/Schools Provides a listing of elementary, middle, and high schools with links to each school’s home page. Regional listings provide state breakdowns by cities or counties. Many linked sites have staff listings. (Not all schools are listed.)
Museums, Science Centers, and Planetaria✷ The Virtual Library: Museums in the USA www.museumca.org/usa/index.html Lists more than 100 U.S. museums and science centers by name, state, and/or type, and provides direct links to museum home pages. Allows searches by keyword.✷ Smithsonian Institute www.si.edu Provides background information and resources on historical events and discoveries, art and culture, and famous mathematicians and inventors. Provides lesson plans and a media catalog.✷ The Astronomical Society of the Pacifi c: Planetaria www.astrosociety.org/resources/linkplanetaria.html Furnishes links to planetarium and observatory home pages by state.
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Key:c=ChildrenYa=Young Adulta=Adult
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Newton’s Life and WorksBooksIn the Presence of the Creator: Isaac Newton and His Timesby Gale E. Christianson. Free Press, 1984.Examines the scientist’s reclusive personality, recreates the turbulent intellectual atmosphere of seventeenth-century Europe, and details Newton’s discoveries in physics, optics, and astronomy. a
Isaac Newtonby James Gleick. Pantheon Books, 2003.Looks at Newton’s signifi cant letters and unpublished notebooks to illuminate the importance of his work in physics, optics, and calculus. a
Isaac Newtonby Paul Mason. Raintree Steck-Vaughn, 2001.Explains Newton’s contributions to science and how the bubonic plague and political and religious changes affected both Newton and society. Illustrated with maps, diagrams, photographs, and reproductions of paintings. Includes primary-source quotes. c
Isaac Newton and Gravityby Steve Parker. Chelsea House, 1995.Relates Newton’s accomplishments as well as interesting vignettes of his life. Includes illustrations of his experiments. c
Isaac Newton: Discovering Laws That Govern the Universeby Michael White. Blackbirch Press, 1999.Presents a biography of Newton with illustrations, boxed quotes, and a time line of important events. cYa
Isaac Newton: The Greatest Scientist of All Timeby Margaret J. Anderson. Enslow, 1996.Provides a biography of Newton’s life. c
Isaac Newton: Organizing the Universeby William J. Boerst. Morgan Reynolds, 2004.Describes Newton’s life and explores his accomplishments in relation to historical events within the scientifi c community. Includes reproductions of period paintings, drawings, and documents. cYa
Isaac Newton: Reluctant Geniusby D.C. Ipsen. Enslow, 1985.Provides a look at Newton and some of his discoveries, including the theory of gravity, the secrets of light and color, and the system of calculus. Ya
Isaac Newton and the Scientifi c Revolutionby Gale E. Christianson. Oxford University Press, 1996.Relates a biography of Newton as both a great scientist and a man with all-too-human faults. Explores his rivalries, working style, and his interest in alchemy. Ya
Let Newton Be!by John Fauvel, ed. Oxford University Press, 1988.Explores the diverse facets of Newton’s life from mathematics to theology, mechanics to music, and optics to alchemy. a
The Life of Isaac Newtonby Richard S. Westfall. Cambridge University Press, 1993.Examines Newton’s personal life and scientifi c career. a
BibliographyThis bibliography contains resources about Newton; calculus, physics, and astronomy; and the history of science and mathematics.
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Key:c=ChildrenYa=Young Adulta=Adult
Newton’s Life and Works (cont.)BooksNewton’s Gift: How Sir Isaac Newton Unlocked the System of the Worldby David Berlinski. Free Press, 2000.Follows Newton’s life from childhood through adulthood, outlining his many advances in scientifi c and mathematical thought. Yaa
On the Shoulders of Giants: The Great Works of Physics and Astronomyby Stephen W. Hawking, ed. Running Press, 2002.Places selections from Newton’s Principia in the context of selected writings of Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, and Einstein. Includes biographies of each scientist. a
Opticks: Or, a Treatise of the Refl ections, Refractions, Infl ections and Colours of Lightby Isaac Newton. Dover, 1952.Describes Newton’s own experiments with spectroscopy, color, lenses, refl ection, refraction, and more in easy-to-understand language. Based on the Fourth Edition (London, 1730). Includes a foreword by Albert Einstein. a
The Principia: Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophyby Isaac Newton. University of California Press, 1999.Presents, in Newton’s own mathematical terms, the principles of time, force, and motion that have helped to guide the development of modern physical science. Corrects errors and modernizes language of earlier translations. a
Videos & DVDsBiography: Sir Isaac NewtonA&E Home Video, 1998.Profi les Newton as one of the greatest minds in history. Yaa
Newton’s Dark SecretsWGBH, 2005.Examines Newton’s life and work, and chronicles his interest in alchemy and religion. Yaa
Web SitesNOVA—Newton’s Dark Secretswww.pbs.org/nova/newtonFind articles, interviews, interactive activities, and resources in this companion Web site to the program. cYaa
Footprints of the Lionwww.lib.cam.ac.uk/exhibitions/Footprints_of_the_LionPresents a broad view of Newton’s life through a collection of original documents held by the Cambridge University Library. Examines the expanse of Newton’s work and the extensive thought behind it. a
The Newton Projectwww.newtonproject.ic.ac.ukFeatures a high-quality electronic facsimile of Newton’s papers, consisting of digital images alongside text-encoded transcriptions. Yaa
Sir Isaac Newtonwww-history.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/Mathematicians/Newton.htmlProvides a comprehensive time line of Newton’s life and accomplishments. a
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Key:c=ChildrenYa=Young Adulta=Adult
Calculus, Physics, and AstronomyBooksCalculus for the Utterly Confusedby Robert Oman. McGraw-Hill, 1999.Explains and applies calculus concepts to such fi elds as business, medicine, physics, and health. a
The Handy Physics Answer Bookby P. Erik Gundersen. Visible Ink Press, 1999.Contains more than 800 questions and answers on a number of topics. cYa
The Kingfi sher Young People’s Book of Spaceby Martin Redfern. Kingfi sher, 1998.Introduces topics such as the Big Bang and life in the universe. c
Nightwatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universeby Terence Dickinson. Firefl y Books, 1998.Provides an introductory how-to for nighttime viewing. Yaa
The Rainbow Mysteryby Jennifer Dussling. Kane Press, 2002.Presents a story that explains the colors of a rainbow. c
Six Easy Pieces: Essentials of Physics Explained by Its Most Brilliant Teacherby Richard P. Feynman. Addison-Wesley, 1995.Discusses gravity in a simplifi ed manner.YaA
Waves: Principles of Light, Electricity, and Magnetismby Paul Fleisher. Lerner Publications, 2002.Offers an overview of light, electricity, and magnetism within a historical context.CYa
Videos & DVDsLife by the NumbersMonterey Video, 1998.Offers seven one-hour programs that explain the role of mathematics in real life, such as in sports, technology, and space exploration. CYa
Roller CoasterWGBH Educational Foundation, 1993.Explores the science of roller coasters.CYaA
Web SitesAmusement Park Physics: Roller Coasterwww.learner.org/exhibits/parkphysics/coaster.htmlAllows users to design and test-drive their own online roller coasters. YaA
Astronomy Picture of the Dayantwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.htmlProvides a daily image or photograph of the universe. CYaA
Fear of Physicswww.fearofphysics.comIllustrates the laws of physics behind sports and everyday activities. Includes homework help and a physics dictionary.Ya
Visual Calculusarchives.math.utk.edu/visual.calculusFeatures a collection of modules that can be used to study or teach calculus. Various plug-ins are needed to view some of the pages. YaA
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B I B L I O G R A P H Y • P A G E 4 O F 4
Key:c=ChildrenYa=Young Adulta=Adult
History of Science and MathematicsBooksThe Crest of the Peacock: The Non-European Roots of Mathematicsby George Gheverghese Joseph. Princeton University Press, 2000.Focuses on non-European mathematics—the infl uence of the Egyptians and Babylonians on the Greeks; the major creative contributions of the Arab people; and the mathematics of India and China. A
Everything’s Relative: And Other Fables from Science and Technologyby Tony Rothman. Wiley, 2003.Chronicles milestones in the history of science, emphasizing omissions and inaccuracies in long-accepted accounts of invention and discovery. YaA
Eyes on the Universeby George Reed. Marshall Cavendish, 2001.Summarizes the history of astronomy.CYa
Lost Discoveries: The Ancient Roots of Modern Science—From the Babylonians to the Mayaby Dick Teresi. Simon and Schuster, 2002.Examines scientifi c advances made by early non-Western societies and looks at the impact of the advances on Western science. YaA
Math and Mathematicians: The History of Math Discoveries Around the Worldby Leonard C. Bruno. UXL, 2003.Compiles biographies of mathematicians throughout history and provides articles describing math concepts and principles.Ya
Science in Ancient Greeceby Kathlyn Gay. Franklin Watts, 1998.Discusses theories and discoveries of ancient Greek philosophers and scientists, and the impact of their discoveries on modern science. Provides an experiment for readers to conduct at home. CYa
Science in Early Islamic Cultureby George Beshore. Franklin Watts, 1998.Outlines the scientifi c discoveries of the Islamic world after the birth of Mohammed in A.D. 571, and discusses the impact of the discoveries on Western civilization. CYa
Videos & DVDsGalileo’s Battle for the HeavensWGBH, 2002.Examines Galileo’s astronomical discoveries, shares his correspondence with his daughter, and explores his clash with the Catholic Church. YaA
Infi nite SecretsWGBH, 2003.Profi les Archimedes’ life and work, and the science involved in the restoration of the Palimpsest. YaA
Web SitesMacTutor History of Math Archivewww-history.mcs.st-and.ac.uk/history/index.htmlIncludes numerous biographies of notable mathematicians, searchable by name, location, time, or subject. YaA
Windows to the Universe: History and Peoplewww.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/people/people.htmlProvides information about ancient and modern philosophers, astronomers, and scientists. CYaA
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For ages 4 and older.
Sir Isaac Newton wondered what made objects fall to Earth. As the story goes, he was sitting under a certain kind of tree when the answer came to him: It was gravity that caused things to fall to Earth, the same force that keeps planets in orbit. What was it that fell from the tree that might have helped Newton think about gravity? Uncover the answer by using the color code to color the picture below.
Newton’s DiscoveryColor Code
N = blacke = brownw = bluet = greeno = redn = white (leave blank)
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Newton and Light
Newton experimented with how colors of light pass through glass. He used a prism to learn that white light was actually made up of multiple colors. He did this by first using a prism to break light up into its component colors and then he used another prism to return all of those colors to white light.
For ages 5 and older.
Have you ever seen a rainbow in the sky? Rainbows happen when sunlight passes through raindrops in the sky. When this happens, light becomes separated into a rainbow of colors— red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo (blue-violet), and violet. In this activity, you can make your own rainbow.
You will need
• clear glass jar 3/4 filled with water• a sunny day and a windowsill that receives direct sunlight • sheets of white paper• red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo (blue-violet), and violet crayons
What to do
1. Set the jar on a windowsill or a table in front of the window.2. Look for the jar’s shadow in front of the jar.3. Place the sheet of paper where you see color.4. Watch the rainbow appear on the paper. 5. On another sheet of paper, draw a rainbow that has red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo (blue-violet), and violet. Label each band by the first letter of its color.6. You can learn the colors of the rainbow by remembering the name ROY G BIV! Some people remember the colors by the phrase “Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain.” Can you think of a phrase to help you remember the colors of the rainbow?
Catch a RainbowLearning More
Bubbles, Rainbows and Worms: Science Experiments for Preschool Childrenby Sam Ed Brown. Gryphon House, 2004.Includes experiments about plants, the environment, air, water, and the senses.
What Makes a Rainbow?by Betty Ann Schwartz. Piggy Toes Press, 2000.Explains what makes a rainbow, and pops up a different-colored ribbon on each page.
Try This! Indoor Rainbowwww.nationalgeographic.com/ngkids/trythis/try6.htmlDetails how to make a rainbow without the sun.
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Parachute PlayFor ages 6 and older.
If something falls or is dropped, it heads toward Earth. But why? Isaac Newton (1642–1727) thought about why objects on Earth drop down when they fall. Gravity is a force that causes objects to fall toward the ground. Newton studied and learned a lot about gravity. In this activity, you will investigate whether your parachute will overcome gravity.
You will need
• 5-by-5-inch plastic sheet (cut from a small plastic bag)• 4 pieces of thin string, each 6 inches long• small paper cup (not wax coated)• masking tape• pencil or crayon
What to do
1. Write your initials on the bottom of your cup. Place the plastic sheet flat on a table. Tape a piece of string to each corner of the sheet.2. Tape the string ends to the rim of the cup. Make sure the string pieces are an equal distance apart from each other.3. You made a parachute! Pick it up by pinching the top center of the plastic. Hold your parachute as high above your head as you can, and drop your parachute in front of you. Watch it. Does it go up or down?4. Now it is time to experiment. What happens if the parachute is dropped from a greater height? Ask a grown-up to drop the parachute for you. Does it go up or down? Why do you think you got the results you did?
Learning More
Janice VanCleave’s Gravityby Janice Pratt VanCleave. Wiley, 1993.Features 20 simple experiments and projects that allow children to explore the concept of gravity.
On a Flying Guitar (sound recording)by Steve Roslonek. SteveSongs, 2000. Includes a song on gravity.
Aviation and Space Education Outreach Programwww.faa.gov/education/curric/prekite.cfmDescribes an activity that demonstrates how a kite flies.
Newton and Gravity
Many years ago, people didn’t understand why things fell downward and why the planets orbited the sun. Newton helped people understand that gravity is the force that holds us on Earth, causes objects to fall toward Earth, holds the moon in its orbit around Earth, and holds the planets in their orbits around the sun. Though it is a weak force (otherwise we would be sucked into Earth), it has played a big role in shaping the universe.
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Light’s MysteriesFor ages 8 and older.
Have you ever noticed the colors of the rainbow or the colors that sometimes appear on the wall when light passes through a glass of water? In 1666, Sir Isaac Newton (1642–1727) conducted a series of experiments that showed that “white” light is actually a combination of colors mixed together. In 1704, Newton published his findings in a book titled Opticks.
You will need
• flashlight• red, green, and blue transparent cellophane• scissors• sheet of white paper
What to do
1. Cut the cellophane into pieces large enough to be wrapped around the flashlight lens.2. Darken the room but not so much that you cannot see the different colors of the light filters (the cellophane).
3. Turn on the flashlight and shine it on the paper. Note the color of the light.4. Place a colored filter over the flashlight lens. Make sure the filter is placed flat (no bunches) over the lens. Hold the flashlight about 2 inches from the paper. What color do you see? How does it compare to the color of the cellophane?5. Experiment with different-colored filters. Take notes about the different things you try. What happens to the color of the light when only one filter is used? Next, try holding two different filters over the lens. What happens? Try different color combinations.6. Make a prediction. What do you think will happen to the color of the light if you place a red, green, and blue filter over the lens at the same time? What color is the light on the paper? Try placing the filters over the lens in a different order. Does the order change the color of the light in any way? Record and compare your results. Why do you think you got the color you did?
Learning More
Science for Fun: Light and Colorby Gary Gibson. Copper Beech, 1995.Includes simple experiments relating to the basic principles of light and lenses.
Science, Optics and Youmicro.magnet.fsu.edu/optics/ index.htmlProvides background information, hands-on activities, and interactive simulations regarding several aspects of optics and light.
The Colors of White Light
Light is a form of energy. What we see as colors are actually different wavelengths of light. For example, light with a long wavelength appears red, while light with a short wavelength appears violet. White light contains all the different wavelengths of visible light.
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For ages 10 and older.
Sir Isaac Newton studied other scientists’ ideas and thought a lot about how things on Earth and in the universe move. After a great deal of work, he developed three important laws that explain how and why things move as they do. His three laws of motion are:1. An object at rest will stay at rest, and a moving object will keep moving in a straight line with constant speed until a force acts on the object.2. An object accelerates (speeds up) because a force acts upon it.3. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
In this activity, you will make a maze and use a marble to investigate these laws.
You will need
• cardboard box (flat lid of a shoebox is best)• 4 of each of the following sized rectangles (made from oak tag, index cards, or manila folders) 1 by 2 inch, 1 by 3 inch, and 1 by 5 inch• masking tape• 2 small marbles• pencil• 3 index cards
What to do
1. Work with a partner. Label each of your index cards with a different law of motion.2. Work together to make a maze by taping the rectangles to the inside base of the box (all walls should be 1 inch high). Make the tape the same length as the long side of the rectangle. Place the tape on a long side of the rectangle so half the tape sticks to the rectangle and half does not. Tape the rectangle to the inside base of the box so that it stands up. Secure the rectangle by taping its opposite side to the base. 3. Continue taping rectangles to the base to complete the maze. Leave spaces so a marble can travel from one end to the other.4. Conduct the following three steps with the marble: • Place the marble in the maze so that it is still. How can you make the marble move? How can you make the marble move faster? What is the force responsible for making the marble move? • Place the marble at rest. Why does the marble stay still? Tilt the box and observe. What causes the marble to move? What causes the marble to stop or slow down? • Place one marble in the maze. Roll another marble into it. What happens to the two marbles? Where does the energy of the first marble get transferred?5. After you have done these three tasks, look at your index cards that contain Newton’s laws of motion. Match each law to a different step you performed. Explain your choices.
Marble on the MoveLearning More
Isaac Newton: The Greatest Scientist of All Timeby Margaret J. Anderson. Enslow, 1996.Presents the life and work of Isaac Newton as well as hands-on experiments related to Newton’s theories of motion and gravitation.
Janice VanCleave’s Physics for Every Kid: 101 Easy Experiments in Motion, Heat, Light, Machines, and Soundby Janice Pratt VanCleave. Wiley, 1991.Provides a number of easy-to-do experiments and activities that illustrate physics principles.
ZOOM’s 3 Puck Chuckpbskids.org/zoom/games/3puckchuckFeatures a game in which players must account for Newton’s laws of motion as they adjust the speed, direction, and physical properties of a virtual puck.
Newton’s Laws of Motion
Sir Isaac Newton was born in 1642. He studied at the University of Cambridge in England. Many scientists of his time wanted to know more about motion on Earth and the motions of the planets. Newton was the first to understand both of these. His three laws of motion have helped scientists understand orbits and develop rockets and spacecrafts.
Answer: The first step demonstrates Newton’s second law of motion, the second step shows his first law of motion, and the third step illustrates his third law of motion.
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Scientist 2: ____________Born in France and raised in Germany and California, this scientist already had a successful career in journalism when she returned to school to earn a Ph.D. in physics. She helped develop satellites such as the X-ray Multi-Mirror Satellite observatory, known as the XMM-Newton. She has written more than 100 scientific papers. She is currently chancellor of the University of California at Riverside. She was the youngest person—and first woman— to hold a prestigious NASA position. What was the position?
Scientist 3: ____________Born in The Bronx, New York, in 1959, this scientist’s current work focuses primarily on dwarf galaxies and the bulge at the center of the Milky Way. This scientist’s sixth-grade homeroom teacher wrote of him: “Less social involvement and more academic diligence is in order.” In 1996, he became the youngest-ever director of the world-class Hayden Planetarium in New York City. What inspired this scientist when he was a young boy that caused him to want to pursue a space science career?
For ages 12 and older.
Newton has often been called the father of physics because his fundamental investigations into motion and gravity became the foundation of our knowledge of the physical world. Today’s physicists are much more likely to specialize in a main area of interest. Match three of the present-day scientists below to their descriptions, and then see if you can answer the question about each scientist.
Jocelyn Bell BurnellFrance Anne CordovaAlan GuthStephen HawkingRoscoe L. KoontzVera Cooper RubinJill TarterNeil deGrasse Tyson
Scientist 1:____________This astrophysicist was born on January 8, 1942, in Oxford, England. He likes to think big. He works as a cosmologist, a person who studies the origin, present state, and future of the universe. One of his greatest contributions has been in the understanding of black holes, which are objects that have such a strong gravitational pull that not even light can escape from them. But even famous scientists sometimes make mistakes. What famous error did this scientist declare in 2004?
Who Am I?Learning More
Career Ideas for Kids Who Like Scienceby Diane Lindsey Reeves. Facts on File, 1998.Describes 15 science careers and provides advice on choosing a career direction.
145 Things to Be When You Grow Upby Jodi Weiss and Russell Kahn. Random House, 2004.Profiles 145 professions and offers inform- ation on high school activities, college majors, and work experience that will help students achieve their career goals.
NASA Quest’s Biography and Journal Locatorquestdb.arc.nasa.gov/bio_search.htm Choose job titles or occupations from a list and search for biographies and journals of current NASA employees.
Vocational Information Centerwww.khake.com/index.htmlIncludes information such as daily activities, skill requirements, and salary and training required for a variety of science and engineering jobs.
Scientist 1: Stephen Hawking (1942–)He conceded his original thinking about black holes was wrong—that information about matter swallowed up in a black hole isn’t really lost after all.
Scientist 2: France Anne Cordova (1947–)She served as NASA Chief Scientist from 1993–1996.
Scientist 3: Neil deGrasse Tyson (1959–)He looked up at the moon through a pair of binoculars.
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Did a falling apple really inspire Isaac Newton to develop his law of gravitation? Probably not, although some scholars do believe that a falling apple may have encouraged Newton to think about why objects close to Earth fall toward Earth.
Newton realized that gravity is the invisible force that causes things to fall to the ground and keeps objects held to Earth. He also realized that gravity is what keeps the universe held together. He described this force in one simple equation that he called the universal law of gravitation.
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The earliest telescopes—called refracting telescopes—consisted of glass lenses mounted in a tube. But when light from objects was viewed through these telescopes, a fuzzy spectrum of colors appeared around the edges of the images. To solve this problem, Newton designed a telescope that used mirrors rather than lenses. In his reflecting telescope, one mirror focuses the light onto a second smaller mirror, which in turn, focuses the light to a point on an eyepiece. Most of today’s large telescopes work on the same principle as Newton’s first design.
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Isaac Newton wanted to understand light. He used a prism to determine that white light is actually made up of different colors—or wavelengths—of light. When white light enters a prism, its different wavelengths are separated and show up as a band of colors. The longest wavelengths occur on the red end of the spectrum; the shortest reside on the opposite end where the violet color appears.
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The Philosopher’s Stone was a mythical substance believed to cure disease, confer immortality, and turn ordinary metals like lead into gold. Finding the stone was one of the ambitions of alchemy, an ancient mystical chemical philosophy. Some people believe that Newton pursued alchemy with the hopes that it might help him better understand great truths about nature and the universe.
