In this striking social history, Barbara M. Benedict draws on the texts of the early modern period to discover the era's attitudes toward curiosity, a trait we learn was often depicted as an unsavory form of transgression or cultural ambition.

This book describes the most complex machine ever sent to another planet: Curiosity. It is a one-ton robot with two brains, seventeen cameras, six wheels, nuclear power, and a laser beam on its head. No one human understands how all of its systems and instruments work. This essential reference to the Curiosity mission explains the engineering behind every system on the rover, from its rocket-powered jetpack to its radioisotope thermoelectric generator to its fiendishly complex sample handling system. Its lavishly illustrated text explains how all the instruments work -- its cameras, spectrometers, sample-cooking oven, and weather station -- and describes the instruments' abilities and limitations. It tells you how the systems have functioned on Mars, and how scientists and engineers have worked around problems developed on a faraway planet: holey wheels and broken focus lasers. And it explains the grueling mission operations schedule that keeps the rover working day in and day out.

A trailblazing exploration of the political stakes of curiosity Curiosity is political. Who is curious, when, and how reflects the social values and power structures of a given society. In Curiosity and Power, Perry Zurn explores the political philosophy of curiosity, staking the groundbreaking claim that it is a social force—the heartbeat of political resistance and a critical factor in social justice. He argues that the very scaffolding of curiosity is the product of political architectures, and exploring these values and architectures is crucial if we are to better understand, and more ethically navigate, the struggle over inquiry in an unequal world. Curiosity and Power explores curiosity through the lens of political philosophy—weaving in Nietzsche, Foucault, and Derrida in doing so—and the experience of political marginalization, demonstrating that curiosity is implicated equally in the maintenance of societies and in their transformation. Curiosity plays as central a role in establishing social institutions and fields of inquiry as it does in their deconstruction and in building new forms of political community. Understanding curiosity is critical to understanding politics, and understanding politics is critical to understanding curiosity. Drawing not only on philosophy and political theory but also on feminist theory, race theory, disability studies, and trans studies, Curiosity and Power tracks curiosity in the structures of political marginalization and resistance—from the Civil Rights Movement to building better social relationships. Curiosity and Power insists that the power of curiosity be recognized and engaged responsibly.

"Looking closely at the sixteenth through eighteenth centuries, Ball vividly brings to life the age when modern science began, a time that spans the lives of Galileo and Isaac Newton. In this entertaining and illuminating account of the rise of science as we know it, Ball tells of scientists both legendary and lesser known, from Copernicus and Kepler to Robert Boyle, as well as the inventions and technologies that were inspired by curiosity itself, such as the telescope and the microscope. The so-called Scientific Revolution is often told as a story of great geniuses illuminating the world with flashes of inspiration. But Curiosity reveals a more complex story, in which the liberation--and subsequent taming--of curiosity was linked to magic, religion, literature, travel, trade, and empire. Ball also asks what has become of curiosity today: how it functions in science, how it is spun and packaged for consumption, how well it is being sustained, and how the changing shape of science influences the kinds of questions it may continue to ask"--OCLC

Without curiosity, the world does not move forward. Curiosity is what drives ingenuity and innovation. Curiosity is a habit of mind and an approach to life that can be practiced, nurtured, and sustained. The benefits of curiosity, especially among teens, are many and great, including greater engagement in school; better study habits, grades, and test scores; a richer range of extracurricular activities; a more well-rounded intellect and outlook; and, ultimately, greater success in and satisfaction with life. Readers learn how to cultivate a spirit of curiosity and how to apply it, all the while reaping the benefits of active engagement with people, places, and ideas. Not only will readers find inspiration but also opportunities to read and analyze text in a way that conforms closely to Common Core standards for informational texts, including summarizing; identifying main ideas and their supporting details; analyzing the structure, development, and effectiveness of an argument; and identifying an author's point of view and purpose.

In "Curiosity Unleashed," business behavioral expert Dr. Diane Hamilton, acclaimed author of "Cracking the Curiosity Code," delves deeper into the transformative power of curiosity on personal and organizational success. This compelling follow-up book enriches the conversation, offering new insights and actionable strategies to foster an organizational culture where curiosity thrives. Dr. Hamilton reveals engaging stories of triumph and caution—featuring those who soared by embracing curiosity and those who faltered by adhering to outdated practices. As the creator of the Curiosity Code Index, the world's first assessment tool to pinpoint the factors that inhibit curiosity, she provides clear methods for overcoming these barriers. This approach sparks innovation, bolsters engagement, and significantly boosts productivity. "Curiosity Unleashed" extends its reach beyond individual success, illustrating how cultivating a robust culture of curiosity can revolutionize organizational dynamics. This book is an essential resource for anyone eager to break free from conventional thinking and embrace a future where curiosity drives exceptional growth and innovation.

Wild Curiosity brings together cutting-edge neuroscience and psychology research with simple, effective advice for parents and teachers on how to ignite the fire of curiosity in children. The author offers a new way to think about parenting and teaching—one that values autonomy, creativity, and celebrates the spontaneous and unexpected joys of learning. Following the groundbreaking work of researchers like Peter Gray and thought-leaders like Richard Louv, the book offers justification for the de-institutionalization of learning and a roadmap for how to create engaging, inspiring, and exciting experiences to nurture curiosity for children of all ages.