SATA

PERSONAL

Male.

ADDRESS

• Home - Bellerose, NY.
• Office - Science Plus Inc., P.O. Box 260066, Bellerose, NY 11426.

CAREER

Writer, science consultant, and geologist. Science Museum of Long Island, NY, former associate director; New York Hall of Science, New York, NY, former science program supervisor; Science Plus, Inc. (educational consultancy), executive director and founder; Age of Learning, Glendale, CA, senior science advisor. Consultant for Children’s Television Workshop, Discovery Channel, and Newton’s Apple television series; science advisor for Age of Learning, Inc. Host and writer of Dr. Dad’s Phantastic Physical Phenomena for eight years, produced by Louisiana Public Broadcasting; science host of radio show New York Kids on WNYC.

International Planetarium Society, Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society, New York Academy of Sciences, Union of Concerned Scientists.

Emmy Award, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, for Dr. Dad’s Phantastic Physical Phenomena; Science Writing Award, American Institute of Physics, 1996, for Bouncing and Bending Light.

WRITINGS

• FOR CHILDREN
• Bouncing and Bending Light: Phantastic Physical Phenomena, illustrated by Arnie Ten, Scientific American (New York, NY), 1995
• Simple Attractions, illustrated by Arnie Ten, Scientific American (New York, NY), 1995
• Sun, illustrated by Carla Golembe, National Geographic (Washington, DC), 2001
• (As Steve “The Dirtmeister” Tomecek) Dirt, National Geographic (Washington, DC), 2002
• Stars, illustrated by Nancy Woodman, National Geographic Society (Washington, DC), 2002
• What a Great Idea: Inventions That Changed the World, illustrated by Dan Stuckenschneider, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2003
• Moon, illustrated by Lisa Chauncy Guida, National Geographic (Washington, DC), 2004
• Coffee Can Science: 25 Easy, Hands-on Activities That Teach Key Concepts in Physical, Earth, and Life Sciences—and Meet the Science Standards, illustrated by Mike Moran, Scholastic (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), 2006
• Lighter than Air, Newbridge (New York, NY), 2006
• Electromagnetism, and How It Works, Chelsea House (New York, NY), 2007
• Plate Tectonics, Chelsea House (New York, NY), 2009
• Everything Rocks and Minerals, illustrated by National Geographic Society (U.S.), National Geographic Society (Washington, DC), 2010
• The Science of Food, Chelsea House (New York, NY), 2010
• Jump into Science: Rocks and Minerals, illustrated by Kyle Poling, National Geographic Society (Washington, DC), 2010
• The Science of Music, Chelsea House (New York, NY), 2010
• The Science of Sports, Chelsea House (New York, NY), 2010
• The Science of Art and Architecture, Chelsea House (New York, NY), 2010
• The Science of Tools and Machines, Chelsea House (New York, NY), 2010
• The Science of Man-Made Materials, Chelsea House (New York, NY), 2011
• Global Warming and Climate Change, Chelsea House (New York, NY), 2012
• Work, Power, and Machines, Chelsea House (New York, NY), 2012
• Dirtmeister’s Nitty Gritty Planet Earth: All about Rocks, Minerals, Fossils, Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Even Dirt!, National Geographic Society (Washington, DC), 2015
• Ultimate Rockopedia: The Most Complete Rocks and Minerals Reference Ever, National Geographic Kids (Washington, DC), 2020
• The Moon, Children's Press (New York, NY), 2021

Author of books for teachers, including Teaching Electricity, Yes You Can! and Teaching Science, Yes You Can!, both Scholastic Professional.

SIDELIGHTS

A geologist by training, Steve Tomecek is the founder of Science Plus, a company dedicated to science enrichment in schools, museums, and libraries by helping students and professionals increase their understanding of science. Along with writing books, Tomecek makes author visits to schools and museums, entertaining students by demonstrating the many experiments budding scientists can do using things found around most homes.

Tomecek’s efforts in science enrichment extend beyond his company and into books; from the physics of light to astronomy and geology, his writing covers a wide range of scientific topics. In the simply titled Dirt , for example, he offers “lots of neat facts and easy-to-read explanations about dirt,” according to a Kirkus Reviews contributor. Appraising the same work, Ellen Heath noted in School Library Journal that “scientific accuracy and clarity of writing predominate,” making Tomecek’s book “a quick, pleasant introduction to Earth science.”

With Stars Tomecek realigns his focus to the sky, presenting major facts about stars that help young astronomers interpret the night sky. A Kirkus Reviews contributor deemed Stars “a sure winner for future astronomers and their stargazing parents,” noting that the book is written in “simple language” to help young readers quickly grasp concepts. Donna Ratterree concluded in School Library Journal that “this appealing book will help backyard astronomers understand the night sky.”

Moon also focuses on the heavens, and here Tomecek introduces readers to science topics ranging from Galileo’s early observations of the moon to modern-day discoveries about the moon’s size and crater formations. Noting that Tomecek uses “an engaging picture-book format to introduce basic facts about a topic,” Gillian Engberg added in Booklist that his use of “short, uncomplicated sentences” enhances his presentation. A Kirkus Reviews contributor cited Moon as “another thumbs up for the author as well as for future space walkers,” while in School Library Journal Heather Ver Voort predicted that it “will appeal to children just starting to browse the nonfiction shelves.” Writing in Sky & Telescope, David Tytell praised Moon as a rarity among kids’ books: a volume “that assume[s] kids are intelligent” and encompasses a selection of “challenging concepts.” (open new) In 2021, Tomecek published another book about object orbiting Earth. The Moon was released by Children’s Press as part of its series, “True Book: Our Universe.”(close new—more below)

In Jump into Science: Rocks and Minerals, Tomecek presents a generously illustrated rundown on the different rocks that were created during the earth’s formation and continue to factor into life sciences on a daily basis. “The visuals will capture kids,” asserted Booklist reviewer Hazel Rochman, the critic making special note of the irresistible rock-making recipe Tomecek includes in his text. Writing in School Library Journal, Sandra Welzenbach suggested that Jump into Science: Rocks and Minerals “will appeal to those looking for facts and catch the eye of curiosity seekers” as well.

(open new)Tomecek released a similar volume in 2020, called Ultimate Rockopedia: The Most Complete Rocks and Minerals Reference Ever. He includes information on how our planet’s history caused rocks and minerals to form. Tomecek also discusses what specific rocks and minerals are made of and how their composition affects their traits. The uses for certain rocks and minerals are another topic in the book, in addition to how they are extracted from the earth. Among the end products that come from rocks and minerals which Tomecek discusses in the book are fossil fuels, concrete, and granite countertops. The volume includes color images and illustrations of the rocks and minerals discussed. A Kirkus Reviews writer offered a favorable assessment of Ultimate Rockopedia, noting: “The easy-to-navigate layout makes it suitable for casual browsers as well as those looking for a more in-depth reading experience.” The same writer also praised Tomecek’s “expertly” guidance through the complex topics.(close new)

Tomecek’s broad science-education background has translated well into books for young readers that take an expansive view. An activity guide, The Science of Art and Architecture includes twenty-five experiments that illustrate several crucial steps in humankind’s fundamental understanding of its immediate environment. In School Library Journal Joel Shoemaker asserted of this work that it is ideal for advanced readers “with a scientific bent or curiosity about how the world works.” The intriguing educational activities Tomecek includes in The Science of Art and Architecture would be “useful for scout projects or science clubs,” the critic added.

BIOCRIT

PERIODICALS

• Booklist, March 1, 2005, Gillian Engberg, review of Moon, p. 1201; January 1, 2011, Hazel Rochman, review of Jump into Science: Rocks and Minerals, p. 84.

• Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, March, 2003, review of Stars, p. 293.

• Kirkus Reviews, August 15, 2002, review of Dirt, p. 1238; February 1, 2003, review of Stars, p. 241; March 15, 2005, review of Moon, p. 359; October 15, 2020, review of Ultimate Rockopedia: The Most Complete Rocks and Minerals Reference Ever.

• School Library Journal, October, 1995, Carolyn Angus, review of Bouncing and Bending Light: Phantastic Physical Phenomena, p. 151; March, 1996, Blair Christolon, review of Simple Attractions, p. 216; October, 2002, Ellen Heath, review of Dirt, p. 152; May, 2003, Donna Ratterree, review of Stars, p. 143; August, 2005, Heather Ver Voort, review of Moon, p. 118; July, 2010, review of Jump into Science: Rocks and Minerals; November, 2010, Joel Shoemaker, reviews of Art and Architecture, p. 142, and Music, p. 143; April, 2011, Sandra Welzenbach, review of Jump into Science: Rocks and Minerals, p. 164.

• Science Books & Films, August, 1995, review of Bouncing and Bending Light, p. 177.

ONLINE

• Steve Tomecek website, http://www.dirtmeister.com (March 2, 2021).