Creators: Mayim Bialik, editor
Publisher: DC Comics
Flash Facts: Ten Terrific Tales About Science and Technology brings together my love for well-written nonfiction and graphic novels. I’ve always felt that I learned a lot of science from comics books. I also learned a lot of “comic book science” too! (Super-Soldier Serum, anyone?) The science in Flash Facts, however, is totally legit!
Neuroscientist, Mayim Bialik, also of Blossom and The Big Bang Theory fame, curated a collection of short graphic stories featuring DC Superheroes that teach about science topics ranging from forensic science to virtual reality. The variety of scientific topics addressed makes this book feel like I’m taste-testing a bunch of topics to help me decide which I might want to learn more about.
After reading, I found myself wanting to know more about thermal expansion and definitely wanting to try out virtual reality goggles! And isn’t that the point of nonfiction? To spark interest and leaving us wanting to know more?
This text even helps kids with next steps. The back matter includes a list of resources so they can hop online to learn more and 7 experiments kids can conduct at home related to the topics in the stories.
Topics covered in this anthology:
- Forensic Science
- 3D Printing
- DNA
- Virtual Reality
- Energy
- Atomic & Sub-atomic particles
- Outer Space
- Zones of the Ocean
- Climate Change
- Human Extremes
Teaching Considerations:
- Genre: Nonfiction, Informational Fiction with a Narrator, Active Nonfiction
- Units of Study: Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction,
- Grades: Fourth Grade, Fifth Grade, Sixth Grade
Written By Hand 