Over the last few months, I’ve been involved with a project that I am very excited to finally share—I have been making a video series on topics related to integrating reading, writing, and science for the Georgia Department of Education. I’ve made two sets (with some overlap): one geared toward elementary teachers and administrators, and … Continue reading Integrating Reading, Writing, and Science—Videos!
Starting next month, I will be joining the STEM Tuesday bloggers at From the Mixed Up Files of Middle Grade Authors. And I'm just in time for the 1st Annual CosSTEM contest! Dress up like your favorite STEM book and win fun prizes!
This classic Newbery winner by Scott O'Dell was based on a true story--and the island involved is now a National Park. (Well, the exact island is not, but the one next to it is!) The National Park Service has put together a rich collection of material related to the book and the true story--including historical … Continue reading Island of the Blue Dolphins
I have a good friend and excellent educator who wants to help bug-tastic teachers apply for entomology grants--if you use bugs (or would like to give it a go), see below: The Entomological Society of America is offering President's Prizes for Outstanding Achievement in Primary and Secondary Education. If you are a primary or secondary … Continue reading Bug-Out Educators!
I went to Alaska this summer. It was a grand adventure. Among other things, we visited some mushers who compete in the Iditarod and heard about their adventures. I came across a truly unique teacher adventure--apparently, there is an official "Teacher on the Trail" each year, and you can apply to be that teacher here. … Continue reading Ride along on the Iditarod
About this time last year, Melissa Stewart wrote an excellent series on children's book preferences in which she argued that we are underserving a group of children who enjoy expository nonfiction: casting it as broccoli, when kids see it as chocolate cake. I was thrilled to see her strong research basis for an idea that … Continue reading Melissa Stewart, On Chocolate Cake
I am sometimes asked how I come up with the activities for my books. Here's a story to illustrate the process. In general, an activity begins with an interesting tidbit of information, and a thought of something it might cause in the real world. Then come rounds of tests to try to find … Continue reading A Research Story
Today is the official publication date for Dog Science Unleashed: fun activities to do with your canine companion. Let me take this opportunity to invite any and all to my book launch party on September 8 at CityDog Market (Brookhaven). I have all kinds of cool experiments and activities planned. Hope to see you there!
With all the time I've spent lapping up dog research in the last couple of years, I've dug up several fun science books. I'm pawsitive one of these will make your young dog-lover howl with delight.* *Four dog puns in two sentences. I should win a prize--or perhaps get beaned in the head with a … Continue reading Great Books for Young Scientists and Their Dogs
You've seen the cool experiments you can do with a vacuum system on Youtube. Here's your chance to get your own unit. The American Vacuum Society is holding a two-day, all-expense-paid workshop in Long Beach California (October 22-23), and at the end, you'll take home your own vacuum system. This is for high school teachers … Continue reading Vacuum Society Workshop (doesn’t) Suck
One of the best parts of working on Dog Science Unleashed was getting to work with the extremely talented Matthew Rakola at our photo shoot. Not only is he an excellent photographer in general, but he specializes in photos of kids doing science--and he digs into the science until he understands what the concepts are, … Continue reading Matthew Rakola, Photographer Extraordinaire
