How can I learn science independently?

[Edgar Arakelyan]

I want to start learning science since my science teacher at school is not fit for the job and doesn't even teach. How can I learn science independently? I'm guessing books but I have almost no idea where to start.
I'll take recommendations on books on almost any sciences physics, medical, earth, space, etc.

[Gordon Freynman]

For a general overview of modern physics and cosmology:



I can't recommend this book enough. Its very easy to read and requires no prior knowledge.

[B5C]

I want to start learning science since my science teacher at school is not fit for the job and doesn't even teach. How can I learn science independently? I'm guessing books but I have almost no idea where to start.
I'll take recommendations on books on almost any sciences physics, medical, earth, space, etc.

Reading a lot of good books and watching some great documentaries.
http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/categ...ce-technology/

[Voodo chile]

Cant you buy books which explain everything you are going to get taught in each year though? Thats what we have here. i know some guy who studied certain topics before they were being taught and pretty much aced everything as soon as the teacher started teaching.

[Edgar Arakelyan]

Cant you buy books which explain everything you are going to get taught in each year though? Thats what we have here. i know some guy who studied certain topics before they were being taught and pretty much aced everything as soon as the teacher started teaching.

Yea we do but you end up dieing from boredom and aren't direct.

[Gaidin]

I want to start learning science since my science teacher at school is not fit for the job and doesn't even teach. How can I learn science independently? I'm guessing books but I have almost no idea where to start.
I'll take recommendations on books on almost any sciences physics, medical, earth, space, etc.

In what fashion do you want to learn science? Layman or student?

[Edgar Arakelyan]

In what fashion do you want to learn science? Layman or student?

Layman.

[Gaidin]

Layman.

You're not going to find a whole lot that will help you with the type of science your teacher is pretending to teach you. Most of the stuff you will find is things like advanced theory pretty much dumbed down so you don't need 10 years of differential equations to have a shot at understanding how they're coming to the numbers they get in their research. While interesting in it's own right, I'm not sure how it will help you with countering your problem with your teacher.

[Edgar Arakelyan]

You're not going to find a whole lot that will help you with the type of science your teacher is pretending to teach you. Most of the stuff you will find is things like advanced theory pretty much dumbed down so you don't need 10 years of differential equations to have a shot at understanding how they're coming to the numbers they get in their research. While interesting in it's own right, I'm not sure how it will help you with countering your problem with your teacher.

My question has nothing to do with my teacher, it was just an explanation. Just need something than can help me learn science.

[boofhead]

I want to start learning science since my science teacher at school is not fit for the job and doesn't even teach. How can I learn science independently? I'm guessing books but I have almost no idea where to start.
I'll take recommendations on books on almost any sciences physics, medical, earth, space, etc.

See if you can get a copy of your school curriculum for your grade in your country. It won't help much to just start anywhere, you need to be focussed and that may help. See if you can prove your teacher wrong in class

[Edgar Arakelyan]

See if you can get a copy of your school curriculum for your grade in your country. It won't help much to just start anywhere, you need to be focussed and that may help. See if you can prove your teacher wrong in class

My teacher doesn't have any points, he just turns on some powerpoint he got from google and makes us take notes then we just get stupid classwork to stall time untill class ends, my teachers a literal failure.

[boofhead]

He is supposed to teach you the curriculum, that's why I said try to find a copy.

[black-dragon]

Popular science books that I recommend:

Anything by Paul Davies
Six Easy Pieces by Richard Feynman
Four Laws that Drive the Universe by Peter Atkins
The Emperor's New Mind by Roger Penrose
QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter by Richard Feynman is also interesting, but each time I turned a page it became slightly more incomprehensible to me. Not the fault of the author.

If you want a more thorough understanding of a science, you should visit a good library and see if they have textbooks for the subjects you want to learn about. Your best bet is probably a university library. They might not let you borrow, but you can spend as long as you like studying it while you're there.

[Viking Prince]

Focus on the math while you are in school. If you improve your math skills first the science will be easier to follow. btw -- you did not post your school level. This would help a bit with the reading list suggestions. While in high school, I usually read (understand fully is a differant issue) each issue of Scientific American and Nature magazines. This would give you a broad survey of some science at a fair level for lay interests. Your local library probably subscribes to both and you might even get a smattering of the articles from the net as well. Since it is not really the same as a news magazine, past issues are just as good for reading as the current issues.

[Edgar Arakelyan]

Focus on the math while you are in school. If you improve your math skills first the science will be easier to follow. btw -- you did not post your school level. This would help a bit with the reading list suggestions. While in high school, I usually read (understand fully is a differant issue) each issue of Scientific American and Nature magazines. This would give you a broad survey of some science at a fair level for lay interests. Your local library probably subscribes to both and you might even get a smattering of the articles from the net as well. Since it is not really the same as a news magazine, past issues are just as good for reading as the current issues.

I'm in 10th grade, and my school library only has gossip magazines, not sure about local library. If I find some ill read em, ill try to get em online also. Just curious how does math have anything to do with science? Thanks for help.

[black-dragon]

I'm in 10th grade, and my school library only has gossip magazines, not sure about local library. If I find some ill read em, ill try to get em online also. Just curious how does mate have anything to do with science? Thanks for help.

Maths is the language of physics, which is basically the foundation of all the hard sciences. You should also check second hand bookstores for books/textbooks. You can pick up an introductory text in physics/chemistry/biology for ~$20 if you're lucky.

[B5C]

Focus on the math while you are in school. If you improve your math skills first the science will be easier to follow. btw -- you did not post your school level. This would help a bit with the reading list suggestions. While in high school, I usually read (understand fully is a differant issue) each issue of Scientific American and Nature magazines. This would give you a broad survey of some science at a fair level for lay interests. Your local library probably subscribes to both and you might even get a smattering of the articles from the net as well. Since it is not really the same as a news magazine, past issues are just as good for reading as the current issues.

That is so ing true.

[LSJ]

Wikibooks!

It's a great place to learn about many subjects, especially science, though some books have a habit of relying too much on formulas and us having existing knowledge.

[Cannibalking]

Wikibooks!

It's a great place to learn about many subjects, especially science, though some books have a habit of relying too much on formulas and us having existing knowledge.

True, there's a lot of things archived there.

[Plant]

What do you mean by learning science? If you mean it, as in learning a syllabus, then perhaps reading your textbooks will be a good start. Mathematics included, as you will not be able to get away from maths in any of the sciences. If you get bored from reading a textbook, then really, you don't have the concentration to learn anything. The problem isn't your teacher, it is you. The first few pages of the Feynman Lectures on Physics is rather good for finding the way of thinking.