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It's a book birthday! Join us in celebrating Jen Swanson's latest book: Up Periscope! How Engineer Raye Montague Revolutionized Shipbuilding (and check out the contest below to enter to win an autographed copy).
Get ready to blast off into a world where science meets storytelling with our special guest Jen Swanson, the NASA STEMfluencer who is making waves with more than 40 nonfiction books for kids (and their curious adults), as well as her inspiring podcast Solve It for Kids. In this episode, we journey through Jen's path to becoming a NASA STEMfluencer, her firsthand experiences at the Kennedy Space Center during the Artemis One launch, and her exciting astronaut encounters. We discuss her passion for bringing the wonders of STEM to children as a way of fostering future innovators.
Jen is incredible at taking big concepts that are difficult and boiling them down to small things that people can understand. We delve into the craft of nonfiction writing and the importance of connecting with experts to bring authenticity to the page. Hear how Jen's book Astronaut-Aquanaut, benefited from insights provided by real-life space and sea adventurers, and how a bold request led to a private tour of the renowned CERN facility. We also examine the educational power of STEM books, from creatively teaching car safety in Save the Crash Test Dummies to highlighting the importance of climate awareness in Footprints Across the Planet. Join us as we celebrate the art of making science relatable and the educators who seamlessly weave these narratives into their classrooms, igniting curiosity and a passion for knowledge in their students.
PLUS: Just in time for the holidays, enter to win an autographed copy of Jen's latest book, Up Periscope! How Engineer Raye Montague Revolutionized Shipbuilding Discover the hidden figure who created the first comprehensive computer program to design ships for the US Navy. Award-winning author Jennifer Swanson and acclaimed illustrator Veronica Miller Jamison celebrate a self-made engineer who worked around anyone and anything that stood in her way in this illuminating picture book biography about never giving up on your dreams. To enter, send me a message by Dec. 10, 2024, explaining why you should win this wonderful picture book and who you want it autographed for!
You can watch the entire episode on YouTube

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Matt Forrest Esenwine joins Dr. Diane to talk about A Beginner's Guide to Being Human. Matt is a radio host, voiceover artist, poet, and picture book author, whose works include Once Upon Another Time, Flashlight Night, and I Am Today, as well as anthologies like Lee Bennett Hopkins’ Night Wishes and Construction People. Along the way, we talk poetry, inspiration, and fun ways to connect poetry into the curriculum. Plus we discover what rainbow eucalyptus is. Follow the show notes for a chance to win a copy of Matt's latest book. Entries must be received by 10/26/22.

[00:50] A Beginner's Guide to Being Human. What makes this book so special? What is creative nonfiction? And how does the book introduce kids to emotions, feelings, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and opposable thumbs?

[04:48] An excerpt from A Beginner's Guide to Being Human and a conversation about the book's impact for kids and their adults (grown ups apologize!). Click to view the video excerpt and see the pages shared.

[11:30] Inspiration Calls! Coming soon, Everybody Counts and The Thing to Remember about Stargazing,

[13:13] How did Matt go from radio to children's books?

[18:33] Poetry as the "Stepchild of Children's Literature" (thank you, J. Patrick Lewis) We discuss ways to inspire teachers and students to fall in love with poetry, to play with poetry, and to build connections with poetry across the curriculum.

[27:00] Ever heard of a rainbow eucalyptus? Me either, but you're about to know what it is as Matt shares the process and the short free verse poem he wrote for the National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry

[33:45] School Visit Questions -- How Long Does It Take To Write a Poem?

[37:10] More sources of inspiration!

[40:06] Hope for the future. It's the source

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A play-based diet? Yes, please! Join us as we explore the transformative power of play with Dr. Amanda Gummer, the UK's leading expert in the field. Dr. Amanda shares her journey from a playful upbringing to becoming an advocate for children's development through such innovative concepts as the Good Play Guide and the Balanced Play Diet. Learn about the balanced play pyramid and how different forms of play—from active, imaginative activities to screen-based play—contribute uniquely to a child's growth. Dr. Gummer explains the critical role of varied play experiences in nurturing well-rounded development and offers practical advice for parents and educators to foster a play-rich environment.
In this enlightening episode, we also look ahead to the future of play and discuss the societal changes needed to prioritize play in children's daily lives. Discover the importance of integrating play into everyday routines and the mental health benefits that come from embracing creativity and imperfection. We provide practical examples of how play can be incorporated into household chores and outdoor activities, emphasizing the joy and enduring appeal of simple games. Finally, connect with Dr. Amanda and her valuable resources through the Good Play Guide and learn how to bring more play into your life. Don't miss this insightful conversation that underscores the significance of play in learning and development.
As a reminder, Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learning offers student programs and educator professional development workshops that are play-based and connect STEM and literacy for engaged and joyful learning. We are currently booking for 2025-2026.

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Episode Summary:
Ever dream of running away to sea to become a scientist? This week on the Adventures in Learning podcast, we chat with Dr. Kimberly Galvez, chief scientist aboard the Viking Octantis, about the groundbreaking work her team is doing. Discover how advanced technologies like multi-beam sonar systems, drones, and remotely operated vehicles are expanding our understanding of the ocean's depths. Dr. Kim delves into groundbreaking research on microplastics and plankton DNA, emphasizing the critical importance of data collection and storytelling in science. This episode highlights the pivotal role of women in STEM and the transformative power of environmental education, hopefully inspiring future generations to pursue careers in science.
Timestamps
0:00:00 - Exploring Ocean Science on Expedition Ships: Discover the Viking Octantis and its innovative approach to marine research. Learn about Dr. Kim's work in marine geology, seafloor mapping, and microplastics research.
0:06:46 - Science, Stories, Women in STEM: Explore the interconnectedness of Earth's ecosystems and the power of storytelling in scientific research. Dr. Kim shares her journey to becoming a chief scientist and the role of women in STEM.
0:17:35 - Empowering Scientists and Encouraging Curiosity: Addressing challenges in science, including gender pay gaps and the importance of interdisciplinary communication. Learn how to inspire children to pursue STEM careers.
0:27:49 - Inspiring Environmental Education and Outreach: The joy of sharing experiences to educate and inspire others, fostering a sense of wonder and discovery.
Key Takeaways
The Viking Octantis revolutionizes marine exploration with state-of-the-art technology and research initiatives.
Storytelling in science is crucial for public engagement and conservation efforts.
Women play a vital role in STEM, with persistence and opportunity paving the way for future leaders.
Environmental education and hands-on learning are essential for inspiring the next generation of scientists.
Links:
Follow Dr. Kimberly Galvez on LinkedIn and Instagram
https://kimberlygalvez.weebly.com/

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Covey Denton is a rock star STEM educator. We met through Steve Spangler, when we were both presenting workshops at Science in the Rockies. Check out her strategies for helping you get your science classroom funded.,

[01:26] - Covey's Journey

• Covey explains her diverse career path, starting from biomedical engineering, and transitioning into teaching through unconventional pathways.

[04:04] - Contribution to Kesler Science Escape Rooms

• Covey shares how she pitched the idea of writing escape rooms to Chris Kesler at a conference, as well as their effectiveness in formative assessments.

[06:24] - Perspective on STEM Education

• Covey discusses STEM as a departure from traditional teaching, fostering problem-solving and diverse solutions as students are empowered to collaborate for creative solutions.

[08:25] - Applying STEM For Learning at ALL Grade Levels

• The applicability of STEM across age groups is discussed, using The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind as an example.

[12:13] - Getting Started with STEM and Grant Writing

• Covey shares her experience of teaching with a limited budget, the importance of wise spending on reusable materials, and how to request assistance from local businesses.

[17:11] - Grant Writing and Success Stories

• Covey dives into her journey of grant writing, highlighting a seminar she attended that helped her write her first grants.
• Initial struggles with grant rejections and how she turned it into a learning opportunity with great success.

[19:38] - Building Relationships and Telling Stories

• Covey emphasizes the importance of storytelling and shares strategies for building relationships in grant writing.

[24:17] - Practical Grant Writing Tips

• Key tips include obtaining administrator support, starting with small grants to build confidence, setting aside dedicated time for grant writing, and expressing genuine excitement in grant applications.

[25:53] - Challenges and Joys of STEM Education

• Covey discusses the challenge of storage for ongoing STEM projects and shares her strategy of using non-consumables and recyclables.
• Joy of witnessing students who aren't necessarily top academic performers excelling in hands-on problem-solving and showing resilience in the face of failure.

[29:48] - Picture Books for STEM Connections

• Some of Covey's go-to picks include The Most Magnificent Thing and the Ada Twist, Scientist series for their relatability and diversity of characters.

[34:25] - Opportunities and Challenges for the Upcoming School Year

• Covey shares opportunities she sees in STEM education, particularly through invention/STEM competitions like ExploraVision.
• The impact of recognition on students' confidence and belief in their ability to make a difference.

[36:49] - What Brings

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Subscribe & Follow: Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!
*Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.