Fantastic Voyages: Learning Science Through Science Fiction Films / Edition 2

by Leroy W. Dubeck, Suzanne E. Moshier, Judith E. Boss

Overview

By revealing the facts behind the fiction of some of the finest films in the sci-fi genre, "Fantastic Voyages" offers a novel approach to teaching science: using scenes from science fiction films to illustrate fundamental concepts of physics, astronomy, and biology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780387004402
Publisher:	Springer New York
Publication date:	11/07/2003
Edition description:	2nd ed. 2004
Pages:	348
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Physics 1. Science. 2. Mechanics. 3. Astronomy. 4. Electricity & Magnetism. 5. Atomic & Nuclear Physics. 6. Relativity & Time. 7. States of Matter. 8 Heat, Temperature, Thermodynamics. 9. Wave Motion & Sound. Biology 10. Global Warming & The Greenhouse Effect 11. Characteristics of Living Things. 12. Cellular Reproduction. 13. The Energy Needs of Living Things. 14. Plants and Animals Compared. 15. Multicellularity & Immunity. 16 Evolution. Film Descriptions '2001: A Space Odyssey' '2010: The Year We Make Contact' 'The Andromeda Strain' 'Blade Runner' 'Colossus: The Forbin Project' ' 'The day of the Trifids' ' 'The Day the Earth Caught Fire' 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' 'Fantastic Voyage' 'Forbidden Planet' 'Hangar 18' ' Them!' 'The Thing' 'The Time Machine' 'Total Recall' and others

Editorial Reviews

From the reviews:

"If you find science fiction films thought-provoking, this could be the book for you ... The scope of the book is wide, with a good grounding in basic physics and biology, and a lot of other information besides." New Scientist

"The idea of using science fiction films to convey science in an interesting way is sound, and anyone preparing a course using the genre should at least consult this book." Nature

From the reviews of the second edition:

"Dubeck (Temple Univ.) and Moshier and Boss (both, Univ. of Nebraska at Omaha) in their new edition … try to provide basic physics and biology instruction using numerous science fiction films as examples. … With 116 pages treating films and literary commentary, excellent diagrams and pictures, and very good writing, this work accomplishes what it sets out to do as well as any small book can. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers; lower-and upper-division undergraduates." (P. R. Douville, CHOICE, June, 2004)

From the Publisher

The triffids teach biology? The authors use scenes from science fiction films to illustrate fundamental concepts of physics, astronomy, and biology. Each film scene depicts a scientific principle, or its violation, reinforcing concepts taught in more traditional ways. Plot descriptions are given of the 32 films discussed, from /The Day the Earth Stood Still, to Total Recall. Includes exercises, examples, line illustrations, and movie stills. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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