Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learning

How can we harness curiosity to engage learners in STEM and in the world around them? Swift Creek Media CEO Brad Herring shares thoughts on storytelling, building STEM connections, and approaching the world from a new perspective. Plus, learn about the NISENetwork and its many STEM resources.

While Brad’s career began by serving overseas in Panama with the United States Peace Corps, his passion for filmmaking began with the birth of his daughter. What started as a hobby, quickly grew into his job and eventually led him to start his own production company, Swift Creek Media. He has over 17 years of experience in project management, creating and producing over 150 videos for one of the largest science museum networks in the United States. Brad previously worked at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, NC and led NISE Network online workshops while serving as NISENet's Earth & Space project-based professional learning community leader and as the Southeast regional hub leader.

I first met Brad when we were both deeply ensconced in the museum world. Through our collaboration together, I learned how to tap into STEM resources and community professionals to enhance the wow factor of the STEAM Night programs I developed for the children's museum where I was working at the time. I also gained access to the creative collaborative energy of a nationwide network of informal educators seeking to get the public excited about science and hands-on learning.

[00:40] Wonder, curiosity, connection -- building engaging STEM/STEAM programs

[5:13] The challenges of grabbing and keeping attention when building engaging programs.

[10:06] What is NISE Network (National Informal STEM Education Network) and how can it help build engaged learning?

[14:17] Taking Curiosity On The Road: Brad shares details about his recent summer trip of a lifetime and the perspective it gave him.

[21:25] How do we tell the stories? Filmmaking as storytelling through Swift Creek Media

[27:25] Strategies for connecting storytelling and engaged STEM/STEAM learning? Horton Senses Something Small, Breakfast Moon, Moonbear’s Shadow, Hide and Seek Moon, Frankenstein

[33:17] What Brings You Hope?

Read the full show notes, visit the website, and check out my on-demand virtual course. Continue the adventure at LinkedIn or Instagram.
*Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

Wonder, discovery, engagement -- and we don't blow anything up! Spend an hour with the incomparable Steve Spangler as we discuss ways to build connections between science, STEM, and literacy across the curriculum. You'll leave with a renewed sense of joy and possibility -- and an eagerness to play! It's definitely a #bestdayever kind of podcast.

With more than 1,600 television appearances and multiple Emmy awards to his credit, Steve is also a regular guest on the Ellen DeGeneres Show where she dubbed him America’s Science Teacher. Steve’s catalog of videos on social media have more than 1 billion views (yes, that's BILLION with a B)! Steve's show, DIY Sci, is currently in its sixth season. But Steve feels most at home when he’s on stage sharing insights and creating those amazing experiences audiences remember for a lifetime.

On a personal note, I am honored to call Steve my mentor and friend, and I am very excited to share this conversation about the importance of engagement and connection. He and his fabulous team, Carly Reed and Bryan Higgins, worked with me to produce the Beyond Ever After online video course and Steve invited me to speak at his signature event, Science in the Rockies.

[00:51] How do we build connections in a way that places science front and center -- and is meaningful for students and teachers?

[03:14] "If It Gets to the Dinner Table, You Win."

[06:44] How do we build connections, engagement, and experiences?

[12:18] Great experiences are always framed with significance.

[14:05] How can we help educators get excited about science and find ways to build connections across the curriculum so that it has that moment of engagement and wow and power?

[18:00] Building Engagement Through Social Media

[21:42] Making Teaching Fun Again

[25:49] People, Process, Product, and PRESENTATION (The 4th P)

[32:40] What are the biggest surprises so far in your adventure in learning?

[42:16] What currently brings you joy?

[47:01] What encouragement or hope can you offer to educators?

Follow me on Instagram or Facebook as I explore the amazing science and mysterious beauty of Antarctica in December.

Stay tuned for the final two podcast episodes of Season 1, featuring Jenna Barricklo and Chris Kesler. We will take a short break and resume in January 2023.

Visit the full show notes for an opportunity to win one of Steve's books.

Read the full show notes, visit the website, and check out my on-demand virtual course. Continue the adventure at LinkedIn or Instagram.
*Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

Markette Sheppard joins us on the podcast to talk about finding your light, shining your light, and not allowing anyone to tell you to dim your light. Along the way, we talk about her best-selling children's books (My Rainy Day Rocket Ship, What Is Light? and the upcoming Ninja Nate) and Alphabet in a Flash, the multicultural ABC flash cards for early childhood learners she created that will soon inspire a children's television series. As a TV host, Markette won an Emmy award for her role as host and moderator of a morning show in Washington, DC. She is the host and creator of The Glow Girl’s Guide to Life, a 12-part social media series on Glow Steam TV. Join us for a conversation about the importance of representation and of shining your light and building connections.

[00:33] Are You Ready To Blast Off Into A World of Imagination and STEAM? We discuss the inspiration for My Rainy Day Rocket Ship.

[04:21] Don't Let Anyone Dim Your Light -- Markette's first book What Is Light? and the power of seeing yourself portrayed accurately in books.

[05:34] There's an energy that we all emit. It's just a warmth and a feeling that people have. And I want children of the world to know you have a light inside of you. Do not let anyone dim that light.

[06:58] The Power of Children's Picture Books and Images In Shining Light

[07:52] The creation and marketing of multicultural ABC cards "When kids go to preschool, the first thing they learn is their ABCs, right? And so I wanted to make sure that they were learning in an environment with pictures and images and words that said, I see you. I hear you. I love you. And there isn't any talk about race or any cultural divide. It's just representation."

[11:20] The Power of Storytelling in Different Mediums

[14:53] From Television and Radio to the World of Entrepreneurship

[19:21] The Power of Connections

[24:15] Childhood (or College) Picture Book Influences

[28:24] What Messages Do We Send Into the World? Recognize Your Light, Shine Your Light, Protect Your Light

[33:09] New Adventures for Markette -- A Sneak Peek at 2023's Ninja Nate

[38:44] Searching for Joy -- chocolate, family, and a clean ho

Read the full show notes, visit the website, and check out my on-demand virtual course. Continue the adventure at LinkedIn or Instagram.
*Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

Author Christy Mihaly talks water, insect eating, and the first amendment as inspiration for her writing. We share ideas for kids (and their grown ups) about everyday steps that can make an impact for climate change. And we discuss Christy's fascinating adventures in learning.

— Author Christy Mihaly (@19:20 Adventures in Learning podcast)

Author Christy Mihaly is a nature lover, a former lawyer, and a poet. She writes for kids because she believes that our best hope for the future is raising young people who love to read and giving them the knowledge and skills to lead. Christy has written more than 30 children's nonfiction titles on topics from hayfields to free speech to food. Her fall 2021 picture book with Barefoot Books Water: A Deep Dive of Discovery, illustrated by Mariona Cabassa was awarded a Kirkus Star and a gold in the Nautilus Book Awards. I’m a huge fan of Christy’s work, particularly the nonfiction she writes that helps educate kids about the environment and about the importance of making their voices heard. Please listen, subscribe, and leave your comments. You can check out the full show notes here.

[02:07] Connecting Past and Present — From Environmental Lawyer to Children’s Book Author

[05:17] Taking on Big Issues and Making Them Accessible and Fun for Young Readers Free for You and Me and The Supreme Court and Us

[08:08] Building connections with Water. A Deep Dive of Discovery.

[14:02] How Eating Insects Might Help Combat Climate Change (And other ideas for you to digest with Diet for a Changing Planet: Food for Thought)

[17:20] Action Steps for Reducing Carbon Footprints

[24:34] A Writer's Process

[24:34] Dr. Diane: So what are you currently working on? Are you able to share?

[27:34] A Possible Hint to Christy's Next Project?

[28:55] What Brings You Joy?

What Brings You Hope?

Read the full show notes, visit the website, and check out my on-demand virtual course. Continue the adventure at LinkedIn or Instagram.
*Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

Meet beloved children's book author Trudy Ludwig, who truly lives up to the motto on her website: “Making a difference in kids’ lives, one book at a time.” Educators, parents, families, and children will recognize such beloved titles as The Invisible Boy; Quiet Please, Owen McPhee; The Power of One: Every Act of Kindness Counts; Just Kidding, and Sorry. This year has been a big year for Trudy, as she has two books coming out: Brave Every Day, which was released this summer, and Calling the Wind, which is coming out in October.

*Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

[02:23] Check out the full show notes for details about the origins of Calling the Wind, a picture book about grief, loss, and hope illustrated by Kathryn Otoshi.

[08:31] "Making a difference in kids’ lives: one book at a time." shapes the way she approaches writing for kids -- and the adults in their lives.

[09:31] Books have power to help kids navigate their social world on a daily basis and to serve as windows, mirrors and sliding glass doors.

[10:57] Neuroscience supports reading well written literature can boost empathy in readers.

[12:09] Kindness is an action verb.

[27:06] Brave Every Day, co-created with illustrator Patrice Barton, addresses anxiety.

Read the full show notes, visit the website, and check out my on-demand virtual course. Continue the adventure at LinkedIn or Instagram.
*Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.