Beyond the solar system

Its combination of scientific history and practical experiments may suit a reader who likes to connect big ideas with things they can make or observe.

Some activities involve more effort or construction, and the subject includes challenging ideas such as relativity, parallax and dark energy. You could try a concept together or choose a simpler observation activity first.

Which discoveries changed how people understood the universe, and what kinds of observations or evidence helped scientists reach those conclusions?

Dip into a chapter that catches your reader’s interest, then try its activity if the materials and time suit. The glossary and diagrams can help when unfamiliar terms or concepts arise.