If you think that being a scientist is a career for the meek, it’s time to reconsider. Three contemporary scientists give insight into the potentially dangerous situations into which they regularly venture: Paul Flaherty, a hurricane tracker, studies active storms from the inside of a four-engine turboprop plane; Hazel Barton is a microbiologist who searches for extremophiles in caves, including the underwater variety; and Stephen Sillet examines organisms that live in the canopies of tall-crown trees. In addition to a description of their subjects of study, the scientists relate what first interested them in the field, and outline the type of work their professions entail. Each has had close calls on the job, and all describe how experience has taught them to stay safe. This highly visual volume offers many clear photographs illustrating the subjects at work and includes additional sources of information, a glossary, source notes, and index. (Ages 11–15)

Scientists in the Field .s.s. to the extreme!

When Paul Flaherty goes to work, he climbs into a four-engine WP-3D Orion turboprop plane and heads directly into the eye of a hurricane. Miles below, Hazel Barton's job in microbiology takes her to the depths of the world's most treacherous caves. And on the other side of the topsoil, way, way above the forest floor, Stephen Sillett passes his days (and sometimes his nights) in the canopies of the tallest trees on earth.
Welcome to the work--and worlds--of extreme scientists. From hurricanes to caves to the crowns of towering redwoods, these scientists battle some of the earth's most intense conditions in order to save lives, preserve species, and help us to better understand the way our planet works.