As February comes to a close, we get to celebrate a fun, yet often unknown national holiday. Every year on February 28, we celebrate National Science Day, honoring scientific achievements and fostering a culture of curiosity and innovation. This day marks the discovery of the Raman Effect, an often-overlooked phenomenon that is a result of matter scattering photons, by Sir C.V. Raman in 1928. Beyond commemorating this milestone, National Science Day serves as a reminder of the critical role that science plays in shaping our world, from technological advancements to solving global challenges. Whether you’re a researcher, a student, or simply someone who appreciates the wonders of discovery, this is a day to celebrate the power of science and its impact on our daily lives.
What better place to start than the “Atlas of Science” by Katy Börner? This book provides a deep dive into the world of scientific visualization, illustrating how knowledge is structured and interconnected across various fields. Börner uses intricate maps, data charts, and network diagrams to showcase how research topics evolve, how collaborations form, and how the impact of scientific discoveries is measured. By visually mapping science, she offers insights into how ideas spread, which disciplines are most influential, and how scientific progress is tracked over time. The book also discusses the history and methods of scientific mapping, making it a compelling resource for researchers, educators, and data visualization enthusiasts alike.
In the modern day, many have begun questioning the truth behind science on the news and taught in schools, making many ask the question “Why Trust Science?” which is the topic of Naomi Oreskes’s book of the same name. Oreskes tackles the skepticism toward science, exploring why scientific knowledge is reliable despite historical mistakes and uncertainties. She argues that science’s credibility comes not from individual scientists but from its collective methodologies, peer review, transparency, and the self-correcting nature of scientific discourse. She also explores how political, social, and economic influences shape public perception of science, making a case for a more engaged and informed citizen who critically evaluates scientific claims.
Along the same lines, Melville Y. Stewart explores the relationship between the two sides of science and religion in “Science and Religion in Dialogue.” The book covers major debates such as the compatibility of evolution and religious beliefs, the fine-tuning of the universe, and the role of ethics in scientific progress. Some contributors argue for a conflict model, where science and religion are seen as opposing forces, while others advocate for a more integrative approach, suggesting that scientific discoveries can enhance spiritual understanding. The book also examines historical and contemporary cases where religious perspectives have influenced scientific thought and vice versa, offering a well-rounded view of this ongoing dialogue.
Just as in cases where science and religion intermingle, the same can be said for many other fields. “Colliding Worlds: How Cutting-Edge Science is Redefining Contemporary Art” by Arthur I. Miller explores the growing intersection of science and art, showing how contemporary artists are increasingly using scientific principles and emerging technologies in their work. The book highlights how fields like artificial intelligence, quantum mechanics, genetics, and neuroscience are influencing artistic expression. It features in-depth profiles of artists and scientists collaborating on projects that challenge traditional boundaries, such as AI-generated paintings, quantum-inspired music, and bio-art using genetic material.
Historically, science has been strongly associated with men, but women have also made some of the greatest scientific discoveries in this, and past, centuries. “Women in Science Now” by Lisa M. P. Munoz focuses on the current state of women in STEM fields, highlighting their accomplishments and the barriers they still face. Through interviews with contemporary female scientists, Muñoz sheds light on the systemic biases, gender gaps, and challenges related to work-life balance that persist in academia and research institutions. However, the book also explores positive changes, such as increasing mentorship opportunities, policy shifts toward gender equity, and the rise of women-led scientific initiatives. By blending personal narratives with broader social analysis, this book provides an inspiring and informative look at the progress being made and the work still needed to create a more inclusive scientific community.
Taking a break from non-fiction works, we turn and look at Andrea L. Bell’s collection of “Cosmos Latinos: an Anthology of Science Fiction from Latin America and Spain.” This anthology collects science fiction stories from the Spanish and Latinx world, spanning from the 19th century to the present. It showcases how writers from these regions engage with speculative fiction in ways that differ from mainstream Western sci-fi traditions. Themes include colonialism, technological dystopias, environmental crises, political oppression, and the intersection of folklore with futuristic storytelling. The collection also highlights the role of magical realism in Latin American science fiction, blending speculative elements with deeply rooted cultural and historical narratives.
Blurring the lines between poetry, science fiction, and cybernetics, Franny Choi’s “Soft Science” is a collection that examines themes of identity, technology, and human connection. Choi weaves together elements of artificial intelligence, cyborg mythology, and digital landscapes to explore what it means to be both human and machine. The poems interrogate issues of race, gender, and queerness, using speculative and experimental forms to challenge traditional poetic structures. Some pieces are written in the voices of AIs and androids, reflecting on language, consciousness, and self-awareness. Through lyrical and surreal imagery, “Soft Science” presents a futuristic meditation on emotion, resilience, and the fluidity of identity.
Science is one of the best ways to understand the world we live in and therefore is a great resource for younger audiences. Hence Ananth Hirsh, Yuko Ota, and Tessa Stone’s fantastic graphic novel, “Pixels of You.” Set in a future where AI and humans coexist, this beautifully illustrated graphic novel follows Indira, a young photographer with cybernetic enhancements, and Fawn, an AI striving for artistic recognition. Initially, the two are competitors, each trying to prove themselves in a world that questions the legitimacy of AI creativity. When they are forced to collaborate on a gallery project, their personal biases and preconceptions come to the surface, forcing them to confront deeper questions about identity, humanity, and artistic expression.
Next is actually the first book I read coming into 2025, and though I’m a bit late to the train, I eventually got around to reading “Dark Matter” by Blake Crouch. This fast-paced sci-fi thriller follows Jason, a physics professor who is abducted and wakes up in an alternate version of his life, one where he made different choices and achieved groundbreaking scientific discoveries. As he tries to find his way back to his original reality, Jason discovers a world of infinite parallel universes, each shaped by the decisions he could have made. As he navigates through these worlds, encountering different versions of himself and those he loves, he faces profound questions about fate, free will, and the nature of identity. With a gripping narrative and thought-provoking exploration of quantum mechanics, this novel is both an adrenaline-fueled thriller and a deeply philosophical look at the roads not taken.
And finally, a book that I am reading currently for a class, and that is Kazuo Ishiguro’s “Never Let Me Go.” This fantastic dystopian novel follows Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy, three students at Hailsham, an English boarding school where creativity and health are emphasized but where a quiet sense of unease lingers. As they grow up, they gradually come to understand their true purpose, they are clones, created solely to provide organ donations for others to thrive in this ‘Utopian” society. The novel is a heartbreaking exploration of love, memory, and mortality, as Kathy reflects on her past, the bonds she formed, and the inevitability of her fate. Ishiguro’s understated prose and deeply emotional storytelling make “Never Let Me Go” a haunting exploration of what it means to be human in a world that sees some lives as expendable. Just remember to have a box of tissues by your side while reading this one.
As we celebrate National Science Day, let’s take a moment to recognize the scientists and innovators whose work continues to push the boundaries of human knowledge. Science is not just about laboratories and equations, it’s about curiosity, exploration, and the drive to make the world a better place. Happy National Science Day!
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