1. Asimov, Isaac. Robot Dreams. New York, Ace Books, 1986.
This collection of 23 short stories represents Isaac Asomov's work from the 1940's to the 1980's. Classic Asimovian themes included are the scientific puzzle, the extraterrestrial thriller, and psychological discourse. Students will find these short stories very readable, and will enjoy the occasional illustrations, created by award winning science fiction artist, Ralph McQuarrie.
2. Asimov, Isaac. Robots and Empire. New York, Doubleday, 1985.
Students who are ready for a more formidable quest into science fiction writing will enjoy this book. Robots and Empire weaves together all three of Asimov's previous classic series: Robot, Foundation, and Empire. Asimov wrote this story as a sequel to The Robots of Dawn, but can easily be enjoyed on its own.
3. Brown, T.A. Genetics A Molecular Approach. London, UK: Chapman and Hall, 1992.
This text explains and relates the basic principles of molecular biology and genetics and is designed for modern introductory courses in genetics. It begins by describing the molecular nature of the gene, including gene structure and expression, and then discusses genetic analysis in detail. The book is divided into three parts; the gene, the gene in context of the cell, and genetic analysis and the basic principals of inheritance.
4. Cohen, Daniel. Are You Ready? The Best and Worst Predictions for the Millennium. New York: Pocket Books, 1999.
This small "pocket" book is a good idea-maker. Short chapters, each with its own theme, get student minds thinking about the possibilities for the next millenium. Each prediction is made from the knowledge of present technology, and is a short and realistic leap of science.
5. Clarke, Arthur and Gentry Lee. Rama Revealed. New York: Bantam, 1994.
Certainly students should be introduced to one of the greatest science fiction writers of our time, Arthur Clarke. Yet the addition of Gentry Lee makes this volume even more credible to this unit. Gentry Lee has served as director of science and mission planning for NASA's Viking mission to Mars, and has been partner to Carl Sagan in the design and development of the television series, Cosmos. Rama Reveled is the conclusion to the Rama series, which represent a fascinating mix of technology and humanity.
6. Crichton, Michael. The Lost World. New York: Knopf, 1995.
In this sequel to Jurassic Park, Michael Crichton takes the exploration of genetic discovery one step further, with the concept that "something has survived" the apocalypse of the prehistoric theme park.
7. Dent, Harry. The Roaring 2000s. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1998.
This work applies new research tools to the trends than have developed within the last few years to make concrete predictions into the next decade. The predictions include ideas in business, economics, and lifestyle, and can provide a sound background in which students can place their own future inventions.
8. Gates, Bill. The Road Ahead. New York: Viking, 1995.
In this book, Bill Gates gives his vision for what the future holds. This is his bird's-eye view of the undiscovered territory of the information highway. Students will even find his easy prose very readable.
9. Gilder, George. Microcosm. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1989.
This work is an overview of technology, and explores every aspect of today's unprecedented technological and entrepreneurial revolution. Microcosm contains accounts of the latest inventions, and their creators.
10. Harrison, Harry and Marvin Minsky. The Turing Option. Warner Books, 1992.
In many ways, this book is the science fiction equivalent of Ray Kurzweil's work, cited later. The Turing Option explores what might happen when the computer is combined with the brain. The fictional result explores the idea that our brains can be augmented with computer implants, and that we have the ability to create machines that reason on their own.
11. Kaku, Michio. Visions. New York: Anchor Books, 1997.
In Visions, Michio Kaku explores three pillars of the twentieth century. They are; the quantum revolution, the biomolecular revolution, and the computer revolution. The author then explains how these revolutions will move our culture to a position where we become choreographers of nature.
12. Kuc, Roman. The Digital Information Age: An Introduction to Electrical Engineering. New York: PWS Publishing, 1999.
Designed as an introduction to engineering, this book provides the background needed for science fiction writers in the information age. Manageable chapters walk the non-engineering student through the necessary information needed to understand technology.
13. Kurzweil, Ray. The Age of Spiritual Machines. New York: Viking, 1999.
A truely amazing and visionary book, Kurzweil explains theories for the past and present development of technology, and then extrapolates his data to make predictions for technology in the 21st century. His ideas are far-fetched, and include concepts such as virtual sex, as well as unique ideas for the teaching of reading to children.
14. Lies, Betty. My Ticket to Tomorrow. Golden, Colorado: Fulcrum Publishing, 1997.
This is a great student choice as it ponders what life will be like in the future. My Ticket to Tomorrow explores topics ranging from fads, food, and space exploration, to manners and movies. The activities includes are manageable and fun.
15. Moravec, Hans. Mind Children. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 1988.
This work explores the future of robot and human intelligence, and includes three mathematical appendices, which discuss the measuring of computer power and the outer limits of computation.
16. Nussbaum, Martha and Cass Sunstein, ed. Clones and Clones. New York: Norton and Company, 1998.
Clones and Clones is a compilation of mostly facts, and some fantasy, about human cloning. The writers include distinguished scholars and writers from a broad range of disciplines as they address this controversial issue. Cloning is represented as a very possible turning point in human history.
17. Ordway III, Frederick and Randy Liebermann, ed. Blueprint for Space: Science Fiction to Science Fact. Washington: Smithsonian, 1992.
This book draws on the expertise and experience of astronauts, historians, and science fiction writers to investigate how the idea of exploring the sky became a fact. Students and teachers will enjoy this work, which moves from pictographs to science fiction, from early rockets to Apollo landings. Blueprint for Space details how imaginary plans actually became blueprints for working spacecraft.
18. Rennie, John. The Origins of Technology. New York: Scientific American, 1997.
This Scientific American anthology is a tribute to the creativity of the practical mind as exhibited through the centuries. The issue traces a variety of technologies, for transportation, war, agriculture, and manufacturing. Ideas presented will provide inspiration to the science fiction writers in your classrooms, and will provide a base for present technology.
19. Sagan, Carl. Contact. New York, Simon and Schuster, 1985.
In this tightly woven fiction work, Sagan imagines the adventure of humanity's first encounter with other intelligent beings, using the universal language of mathematics. A major concept in the book, in addition to the link between humans and extraterrestrials, is the contact between each other and ourselves as we sort out our feelings regarding life outside our planet.
20. Sinetar, Marsha. Developing a 21st Century Mind. New York: Villard, 1997.
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Marsha Sinetar describes a playful path to developing a 21st century mind, and has created a technique she calls Positive Structuring. Positive Structuring emphasizes creative, resourceful problem solving to discover what we really want. This book explores the spiritual side of entering the new millenium.
21. Stableford, Brian and Langford, David. The Third Millennium. New York: Knopf, 1985.
Like many visionaries, the authors of this book believe we can predict what fate holds in store for us in the next 1,000 years. Their entertaining work casts us as the ancestors, and our future as the historians past. The ideas presented are systematic, plausible, and realistic, even though they are science fiction.
22. Watson, James. The Double Helix. New York, Atheneum, 1968.
This is the story of the most significant discovery since Darwin first explored heredity. Students studying genetics would be well served to read the tale of the discovery of the structure of DNA.
23. Whaley, Charles E. Enhancing Thinking and Creativity With Futures Studies. New York: Trillium Press, 1991.
In order to think futuristically, students must think creatively. This book contains many activities to direct students' thinking, and utilizes the experience that students gain outside the classroom.