The Sciences Paperback - 1999

James Trefil's interest in scientific literacy began with a contributed essay to E.D. Hirsch's Cultural Literacy and continued with his work on the Content Review Board for the National Science Education Standards. He has authored or coauthored numerous books on science for the general audience. He serves as a regular contributor and science consultant for Smithsonian Magazine and as a science commentator on National Public Radio. He received undergraduate degrees from the University of Illinois and Oxford University. After receiving a doctorate in theoretical physics from Stanford University, he held postdoctorate and faculty appointments in Europe and the United States. James Trefil is the Clarence Robinson Professor of Physics at George Mason University. He has made contributions to research in elementary particle physics, fluid mechanics, medical physics (including cancer research), and the earth sciences. Robert M. Hazen is the Clarence Robinson Professor of Earth Science at George Mason University and Staff Scientist at the Carnegie Institution of Washington's Geophysical Laboratory. Hazen developed a fascination for rocks and minerals as a child growing up in mineral-rich Northern New Jersey, and he pursued that interest as an undergraduate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After receiving a doctorate in earth sciences from Harvard University, he spent a year at Cambridge University as a NATO Postdoctoral Fellow. In addition to teaching courses on scientific literacy, scientific ethics, symmetry in art and science, and visual thinking, he performs research on materials at high pressure. His current studies on the origin of life explore the hypothesis that life arose in a deep, high-pressure environment. Robert Hazen is also a part-time professional trumpeter.