Picture the perfect book club gathering. The book is gripping, the discussion is animated. Hopefully, you have a few “Aha!” moments along the way. You’re infused with a fresh perspective or a bit of knowledge you can use later.
How does Pushing the Limits work? You read a compelling book. And that’s just the beginning. From there, your book club delves into a collection of videos, discussion questions, and other suggested readings — each designed around a central theme, such as Pushing the Limits of Knowledge, or Pushing the Limits of Survival. The curated collections will encourage you to reflect on how the theme relates to your own daily life. Check out the User Guide for more details.
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SCIENCE IN
EVERYDAY LIFE
From the dryland wheat farms of eastern Washington to the coastal waters off the Carolinas, people everywhere face challenges and solve their problems–often by using science, technology, engineering, or math. Got a broken-down harvester that you’ll patch together? That’s engineering. Improving a recipe with heritage vegetables? That’s science. Adding digital tools to generations-old techniques for crafting a ukulele? Yup, that’s using technology.
See more About the project.
BOOK CLUB KITS
Pushing the Limits kits are used by libraries, community centers, and other book clubs across the US, offering kits that include everything from bookmarks to discussion questions. Need a few ideas? Pushing the Limits thematic Book Club Kits each include a lively video with these stories and more. The User Guide can help you get started.
RESOURCES
FOR LIBRARIANS
Librarians across the US have tested and helped improve the Pushing the Limits kits, preparing them for public release. They’ve also helped in the creation of an engaging online professional learning series for librarians that can help bolster your experiences and skills in leading discussions on science topics — and working with a local science partner such as your high school biology teacher.
Check out the Resources for more information.
Librarians and other Event Organizers: You’ll find materials to help you plan and promote book club programs. It’s also the go-to spot for NOAA resources to help your community with climate resiliency. Would you like to pursue professional development opportunities in community programming with STEM and climate change topics?
The content of Pushing the Limits is based on work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), under award numbers DRL-1515241 and DRL-1010577, and by the Environmental Literacy Grant Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce, under award NA-15 Sec 0080008. The statements, findings, conclusions and recommendations are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSF or NOAA. Copyright 2016-2022, Dawson Media Group, L.L.C.
