Overview

From the 1950s to the digital age, Americans have pushed their childrento live science-minded lives, cementing scientific discovery and youthfulcuriosity as inseparable ideals. In this multifaceted work, historian RebeccaOnion examines the rise of informal children’s science education in thetwentieth century, from the proliferation of home chemistry sets after WorldWar I to the century-long boom in child-centred science museums. Onionlooks at how the United States has increasingly focused its energies over thelast century into producing young scientists outside of the classroom. Sheshows that although Americans profess to believe that success in the sciencesis synonymous with good citizenship, this idea is deeply complicated inan era when scientific data is hotly contested and many Americans have aconflicted view of science itself. These contradictions, Onion explains, can be understood by examiningconnections between the histories of popular science and the developmentof ideas about American childhood. She shows how the idealised concept of“science” has moved through the public consciousness and how the drive tomake child scientists has deeply influenced American culture.

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9781469629469

Table of Contents

Reviews

A lively and provocative exploration of the intersections of American culture, childhood, and science that have fueled popular perceptions of science's value to society.--History of Education Quarterly [A] terrific synthesis of places and trends in popular science over the course of the 20th century. . . . An excellent addition to collections in US history, popular culture, educational history, childhood studies, and the history of science. Highly recommended.--Choice Terrific synthesis of places and trends in popular science over the course of the 20th century. . . . An excellent addition to collections in US history, popular culture, educational history, childhood studies, and the history of science. Highly recommended.--Choice

Terrific synthesis of places and trends in popular science over the course of the 20th century. . . . An excellent addition to collections in US history, popular culture, educational history, childhood studies, and the history of science. Highly recommended.--Choice

Terrific synthesis of places and trends in popular science over the course of the 20th century. . . . An excellent addition to collections in US history, popular culture, educational history, childhood studies, and the history of science. Highly recommended.--Choice <p/>

Author Information

Rebecca Onion is a visiting scholar of history at Ohio University and staff writer at Slate.com.

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