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- Halloween Hippie Mystery | Pumpkin Patch
Kassandra, Ingrid, Quan, and Ricky are getting ready for their school's Halloween party, but something's amiss with the decorations. Can you use science help them solve this haunting mystery... before it's too late? ¿Hablas español? Haga clic aquí para resolver... Halloween Bonus Mystery Selected from: One Minute Mysteries: 65 MORE Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! Halloween Hippie "Hey, I have an old picture of my grandma looking just like that, only it wasn't a costume to her," Kassandra said as Ingrid walked into the homeroom. "She said they actually thought they looked cool." Their school normally had a dress code, but it was Halloween and everyone had come in wearing costumes. Ingrid was dressed like a hippie. She had a tie-dyed shirt, beads, sandals, and sunglasses with orange lenses shaped like hearts. Ingrid took off the sunglasses for class, but put them back on in the afternoon when it was time to get ready for the Halloween party. The class was decorating the classroom and painting signs for the school parade. Quan, who though he was funny, was hanging decorations upside down. Preston was pretending to sword fight in his pirate costume with a paint brush, and Ricky was playing with fake blood after putting some on his zombie costume. When it was almost time for the parade, Kassandra noticed that one of the signs had been decorated with a red, rather than orange, pumpkin. "Okay, who's the joker here?" Kassandra asked. She looked around the room for a guilty face. REVEAL ANSWER
- Educational Resources | Science Naturally
Educational resources for increasing bilingual science and math literacy in early childhood education. Science, Naturally! is committed to creating and distributing quality products that explore and demystify STEM topics in entertaining and enlightening ways. We pride ourselves in not only offering great products, but in providing the resources parents, educators, and librarians need to extend and expand the content and use our books as effective learning tools. This page contains: All the resources here are available at no charge! -Teacher's Guides -Daily Circuit Activity Sheets -Hands-on Activities -Math Resources -Games created with Python -STEM Education Power Points -Curricula articulation Read More Click below to see how four presidential awardees developed lessons around our titles! Wondering how educators use our books? -Teacher's Guides TEACHER'S GUIDES These guides turn our books into powerful educational tools—maximizing their impact in any learning environment. Use them on their own or alongside the books to deepen understanding and support meaningful learning. Download the Guide Book Download the Guide Book Download the Guide Book Download the Guide Book Download the Guide Book Download the Guide Book Download the Guide Book Download the Guide Book Download the Guide Book Download the Guide Book Download the Guide Book Download the Guide Book Download the Guide Book Download the Guide Book Download the Guide Book Download the Guide Book Download the Guide Book Download the Guide Book Download the Guide Book Download the Guide Book English Guide Spanish Guide Book Download the Guide Book Download the Guide Book Download the Guide Book Download the Guide Book Download the Guide Book Download the Guide Book Download the Guide Book Download the Guide Book Download the Guide Book -Daily Circuit Activity Sheets DAILY CIRCUIT These interactive activity sheets are the perfect introduction to our award-winning STEM books. These sample activities leave kids itching for more entertaining and educational mysteries and brainteasers. The perfect handout to keep kids entertained and learning on long car rides, between appointments, or at the beginning of class—any time is the perfect time for these newspaper-style worksheets! Click below to download The Daily Circuit Weekend Edition -Hands-on Activities HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES These downloadable 1–2 page activities are adapted from our Teacher’s Guides. Each hands-on experiment or worksheet extends the themes of the books, offering kids a fun and interactive way to deepen their learning. Click on the icon or activity name below to download! Science Mystery Investigations and Materials Eggcellent Idea Don't Rain on My Parade Stars In Their Eyes Prefix, Root, and Suffix Whiteboard Game Double Dealing Occupational Hazards My Favorite Dinosaur Math Mystery Investigations and Materials Roll Of The Dice Corralling the Problem Habitat Classification Rhyming Word What is a Mammal? What's at the End of Your Arm? Map Quest Toss-Up Ice Cream, Anyone? Animal Research Baleen Scene Elephant Teeth Whale Blubber Adaptable Necks Biodiversity Imaginative Mammals Koala Odor Biographical Report Matching Biologists Careers in Biology Nature Sleuth Careers in Physics Giant Bubbles Nuclear Fission Tin Foil Boats Listening to Your Heartbeat Types of Doctors Major Organs and Organ Systems Animal Adventure Touch What Do We Call Them? Who Snuggles and Who Nuzzles? DNA Model Element Scavenger Hunt Bad Fruit Imitating Alchemy Biomaterials Paper Airplanes The Bain-Marie and the Double Boiler Parts of a Plant Capillary Action Conservation and Preservation Acting Out Atoms Opposites Attract States of Matter Element Matching Game Numerical Names How to Read the Periodic Table How Big is a Mole? A Chemist's Classified Cookie Recipe We are proud to partner with: a digital platform where educators can collaborate and share learning resources—for free! CHECK OUT OUR FIRST THREE RESOURCES: Ice Cream, Anyone? Double Dealing Roll of the Dice Visit Our Partner Page SUGGESTED MATH RESOURCES These apps are perfect for incorporating math into your child's home routine! All are available at no charge on Apple and Android devices. Bedtime Math Ages 3-9 Mini Math Ages 3-5 Geoboard Ages 4+ Money Pieces Ages 4+ Number Frames Ages 4+ Math Vocabulary Grades K-5 Number Rack Ages 4+ Fractions Ages 4+ Number Line Ages 4+ Pattern Shapes Grades K-5 Number Pieces Basic Primary Grades Number Pieces Middle Grades Math Matters to Me increases the general awareness and interest of the math happening all around us! Learn how math applies to... Driving Baking Time Rainbows -Math Resources Learning to code? Explore the Juniverse! Play free games and see other fun projects created by students and instructors of Juni Learning. Each project was made with Python and displays the code on a split screen. STEM EDUCATION POWERPOINTS Are you a teacher teaching teachers? We created these professional development resources to show educators how to use our books. Click the titles below to download! Creativity, Curiosity, and Critical Thinking Combined: Sparking Your Child's Interest in Science Life Cycle Learning Through Mammal Stories Understanding How Special it is to Grow Up Human: Exploring How We Can Classify Mammals in Ways that are Meaningful to Kids Literacy and Hands-On STEM -STEM Education Power Points -Games created with Python ARTICULATION OF SCIENCE NATURALLY BOOKS To National Science & Math Standards Click on the images below to download curricula articulations for each Science, Naturally! title: -Curricula articulation
- Government Contracting | Science, Naturally!
"Parents who are responsive to their children's needs often find themselves swimming upstream against the culture. Platypus Media books encourage parents as they create families that are close-knit. Through sharing stories, Platypus Media is building a caring community where children and parents alike can thrive." —Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, Ph.D., Author of The Hidden Feelings of My Motherhood "Platypus Media books give us a fun way to help meet curriculum objectives in reading, science, language arts, and social studies. The kids love them—and the free activity guides do a lot of the work for us!" —Catherine Pfeiffer, School Librarian, Capitol Hill Cluster Schools, Washington, D.C. "Caring parents will be delighted with the gentle way these books foster love and respect between parent and child." —Marguerite Kelly, Author of The Monster's Almanac "What's really exciting about this line of books is that children from every background can relate to them. Platypus Media books have captured the values of close-knit families from many different perspectives." —Maria Salvadore, Children's Literature Specialist, Washington, D.C. GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING Our mission is to get books into the hands of children all over the world, and we are proud to work with local, state, and federal programs to further this goal. We are now registered on SAM.gov as well as with the SBA. DOWNLOAD OUR CAPABILITY STATEMENT SEARCH FOR US ON SAM.gov VIEW OUR SBA PROFILE SOCIO-ECONOMIC CERTIFICATIONS Small Business Women-Owned Small Business CORE COMPETENCIES Platypus Media, LLC is comprised of two independent publishing houses: Platypus Media and Science Naturally. Platypus Media creates materials that support and promote attachment parenting, breastfeeding, and family. We share evidence-based practices and family support resources with our readers. Our imprint, Science Naturally , makes math and science accessible and engaging for children ages 0-14. Our STEM books encourage skill acquisition in reading, science, and math and are available in several languages and formats. CORPORATE IDENTIFICATION Platypus Media has been in business since February 2000, but our founder and president, Dia Michels, has been working in publishing for the last 30 years. Over the years we have accumulated a permanent staff of 4, who have helped to produce 45+ titles and print more than 500,000 books. We are honored to say that our books have won more than 60 literary, science, math, and language awards. WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT? Literature-based science and math Problem-based learning Spanish/bilingual education Free downloadable Teacher's Guides Medically certified authors Father, sibling, and NICU support Customization opportunities All of our STEM books meet Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Accepts government credit cards and purchase orders PAST PERFORMANCE *Please contact us for POC information Kids Read Now | 02/05/2019–03/27/2020 Provided 15,800 customized children's' books over the span of nearly fourteen months (four orders) at a cost as low as $2.89/book California Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) / SLAHP | 03/22/2018–09/17/2019 Provided 3,500 breastfeeding booklets over the span of eighteen months (two orders) at a cost as low as $2.95/booklet Colorado WIC / CDPHE | 08/29/2019 Provided 850 hardcover children's' books within one month (one order) at a cost as low as $4.95/book Healthy Start Oklahoma | 01/03/2019 Provided 1,000 customized children's' books within one month (one order) at a cost as low as $2.95/book New Mexico WIC / DOH | 12/04/2018 Provided 6,115 customized children's' books within one month (one order) at a cost as low as $2.95/book
- February Mystery of the Month | Science Naturally
The school student council was putting up decorations for the Valentine's Day party later that day in the multi-purpose room. Elinor came into the room... Febrero Seleccionado de: One Minute Mysteries: More Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! • Misterios de un minuto: ¡Más misterios Cortos que Resuelves con Ciencias! Helados de frío —No puedo creer que mi madre me hizo usar este abrigo pesado —se quejaba Paige mientras caminaba a la escuela con sus amigas una mañana. —Mi madre es igual —dijo Tyra, chapoteando en un charco con sus botas impermeables. —Oigan, esperen un momento —dijo Lin, recogiendo el sombrero que se le había volado de la cabeza—. ¿Sus madres estaban escuchando esa estación de radio nueva que toca las canciones viejas que le gustan a los padres? —¡Sí! —dijo Paige—. ¡No puedo creer la música que tocan! —¡Algunas de esas canciones deben tener 20 años! —añadió Tyra. —Estaba puesta en nuestra casa también —dijo Lin—. Escuché al locutor decír que se sentiría como -4 grados Celsius esta mañana y fue entonces que mi mamá me entregó estos guantes. —¿Y qué? —preguntó Paige. —Entiendo lo que quiere decir Lin —dijo Tyra, saltando de charco en charco—. A -4 grados Celsius el agua estaría congelada. El agua se congela a 0 grados Celsius o menos. —Creo que nuestros padres debieran empezar a escuchar otra estación de radio —dijo Lin. —No creo que eso ayude —dijo Paige. —¿Por qué no? La gente de esa estación claramente no sabe nada del tiempo ni de la música —dijo Tyra. REVELAR RESPUESTA
- Accessibility | Science, Naturally!
Our Commitment to Accessibility At Science Naturally, we are dedicated to accessibility. We create diverse characters in our stories to highlight empathy , kindness , and compassion , providing empowering representation for our curious readers worldwide. We are also devoted to making educational resources on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) subjects more accessible to a diverse audience. We have partnered with Atomic Hands, an organization that produces educational STEM videos in ASL (American Sign Language), to make these topics more accessible for children with hearing impairments. Check out the new ASL-translated editions of select titles from our Science Wide Open series, featuring women in various STEM fields, as well as Atoms , the first early childhood book in the My First Science Textbook series. These ASL STEM Storybooks are available to watch on the Atomic Hands website , featuring ASL interpreters with careers in STEM. Both series are also available in multiple formats on our website. Look out for our reflowable eBook edition of How Do You See the World? , which explains different types of eye conditions and normalizes both visual impairments and the tools and technology used to improve vision or mobility. This reflowable eBook was specifically created for children experiencing blindness and low vision, with features including: Detailed alt text for the book’s illustrations Full display transformability High-contrast image text Navigation features, including a page list to match the original hardcover edition Text-to-speech compatibility Updates to the content for the purpose of clarity Fixed format and reflowable eBook available soon on: Kobo, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and Overdrive The book is currently available as a hardback. Find our Spanish, Bengali, Mandarin, Korean, Haitian Creole, and Dutch translations of our most loved books, Cuddled and Carried , This is How I Grow , Babies Nurse, our Science Wide Open series, How Cats Say I Love You , and more HERE ! Our diverse translations are at the heart of our accessibility work at Platypus Media, as we aim to provide non-English speaking children the opportunity to read about the diverse characters, narratives, and educational material that spark their curiosity.
- C Is for Crime Scene| Science, Naturally!
Cross over the yellow tape and enter the behind-the-scenes world of forensics! E is for the evidence you’ll discover as you learn about the real tools and steps used to hunt for clues and crack the case. Engaging for young children and entertaining for adults, this is the perfect read aloud for science lovers, true crime junkies, armchair detectives, and their pint-sized partners in crime. AVAILABLE NOW ! How does science help solve a crime? Cross over the yellow tape and enter the behind-the-scenes world of forensics! From the crime scene to the laboratory, learn about the real tools and steps used to hunt for clues and crack the case. E is for the evidence you’ll find in this fascinating A to Z book . Watch as forensic scientists brush fingerprints and swab samples. See how UV lights and microscopes uncover clues. Learn how special gear keeps evidence safe from contamination. And, most importantly, discover how asking questions is the key to every investigation. Written by a forensic scientist and STEM educator, Dr. Judy Staveley, C Is for Crime Scene is a quirky, science-focused peek at what really goes into solving a crime. Colorful and offbeat illustrations by Alessandra Vitelli highlight creative thinking and reveal the amazing possibilities of forensic science. Engaging for young children and entertaining for adults, this is the perfect read aloud for science lovers, true crime junkies, armchair detectives, and their pint-sized partners in crime! . Book Details Hardcover (ISBN 978-1-958629-91-8) $18.95 Ebook (ISBN 978-1-958629-92-5) $15.99 Age Range 2-7 years Grade Range PreK-2nd Trim Size 8" x 8" Page Count 32 Press Release Order Now Praise for C Is for Crime Scene "Everyone loves forensic science—even kids! Dr. Staveley's book takes the mystery out of the work forensic scientists do every day." —Rana DellaRocco, MS, MPA, ABC-MB, Chief of Science & Evidence, Baltimore Police Department Meet the Author and Illustrator Dr. Judy Staveley is a biotechnology expert and STEM consultant with advanced degrees in forensic science, biology, and health psychology. She has worked on biodefense and public health with federal agencies and has taught at multiple universities. Dedicated to mentoring future scientists, Dr. Staveley has directed the American Junior Academy of the National Association of Academies of Science and has served as President of the Washington Academy of Sciences. An advocate for gender inclusivity in STEM, she collaborates with organizations like STEM for Her and STEMifyGirls. She lives in the Washington, D.C. area and can be reached at Judy.Staveley@ScienceNaturally.com . Alessandra Vitelli is a freelance illustrator based in Naples, Italy. She has worked on several children’s books for Italian and international publishing houses and teaches illustration at the Scuola Italiana di Comix in Naples. Alessandra is inspired by many things, including her children, her kittens, dreams, and new colors she sees around the world. In addition to illustration, she is passionate about photography and typography. She currently lives in Naples with her partner, two children, and two cats.
- ASTC | Science, Naturally!
ASTC has curated these award-winning, NSTA Recommends books for its members to promote science and math while improving reading and literacy skills for upper elementary and middle schoolers. Check out these resources for your programming and after-school activities. Our literature-based STEM books are perfect tools for museum educators! One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Math! Preview the book Purchase with ASTC discount here! One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve with Science! Preview the book Purchase with ASTC discount here! One Minute Mysteries: 65 MORE Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! Preview the book Purchase with ASTC discount here! Leonardo da Vinci Gets a Do-Over Read a sample chapter Download the Free Teacher's Guide Purchase the book with ASTC discount here! Bilingual Math Mysteries Preview the book Purchase the book with ASTC discount here! Please reload 101 Things Everyone Should Know about Math Preview the book Purchase the book with ASTC discount here! 101 Things Everyone Should Know about Science Preview the book Purchase the book with ASTC discount here! If My Mom Were a Platypus Download the Activity Guide Download our Guide to Hands-On Activities Purchase with ASTC discount here! Ghost in the Water Read a sample chapter Download the Free Teacher's Guide Purchase the book with ASTC discount here! Bilingual Science Mysteries Preview the book Purchase the book with ASTC discount here! Please reload Museum educators around the country use our titles to engage, excite, and educate: Literature-based books teach science and math while promoting reading, Fiction and nonfiction titles featuring a diverse group of young heroes, Real-life scenarios make science and math relevant to kids, Potentially intimidating topics become intriguing and accessible to scientists of all ages, Supports problem-based and project-based learning, Extensive Teacher's Guides and Hands-On Activities available for free download, Cross-curricular content provides ample learning opportunities. Our books make great resources for museum educators and our short brainteasers make great content for museum publications. For permissions to reprint, information on bulk discounts, and more information, contact Ali . Learn How Facilitators Use Our Books Extensive Educator Resources and Hands-On Activities Shop at the ASTC Bookstore
- Event Sales Program | Science, Naturally!
Science Naturally's Event Sales Program allows you to fundraise while offering quality STEM materials to your customers, families, or event participants. Order ahead, send back anything left after the event, and pay 50% off retail for the books you sold. EVENT SALES PROGRAM Our Event Sales Program allows you to fundraise while offering quality STEM materials to your customers, families, or event participants. Perfect for book fairs, conferences, and more! Here's how it works: Select the books you'd like by browsing our store Order any of our books at a 50% discount Return the books that you don't sell Receive your bill after your event Only pay for the books you sold To learn more or to place an order, contact Martha at Martha@ScienceNaturally.com or 1-866-724-8976 "These are some of the most engaging nonfiction books I have ever read!" -Sonya Smith Science Field Coordinator, ATOMS2XP and IMPACT2, Mississippi State, MS "We love the Science Naturally Event Sales Program. It allows us to offer great products to our students with no money upfront." -Doug Tackett PTA Dad Amarillo, TX Download our Book Sale flyer for more information
- Science Naturally | Gift Guide | Families
Looking for STEM gift ideas the whole family will enjoy? We have a great selection of books full of full of fun puzzles and questions that are perfect for families to work through together! Gifts for Families Choose from our wide selection of award-winning STEM literature for the perfect gift for the curious kid in your life! This set of fun books blurs the line between entertainment and education. Make math and science fun with these literature-based books. Each mystery takes just one minute to read and features real-world scenarios. The brain teasers challenge kids to use critical thinking skills. Perfect for a long car trip or quick errands. Written by a father-daughter team, this set of entertaining and educational books is great for kids, grown-ups, educators and anyone who loves good mysteries, good math and science, or all three! I Love A Mystery Book Set Click Here to View Click Here to View This set includes the two 101 Things books: 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Math and 101 Things You Everyone Should Know About Science from the award-winning authors Marc Zev, Kevin Segal and Nathan Levy. 101 Things Everyone Should Know... Book Set Deluxe Smart Kid Book Set Keep your kids' brain active with these five clever literature-based, award-winning science and math books. Everyone in the family will love trying to solve these engaging, exciting (and shhh!...educational) brainteasers! Unravel real-life predicaments using everything from decimals to DNA, fractions to fingerprints. Keep the set together or use them as individual gifts. Click Here to View Science Sleuth Book Set You may not put criminals away, but use this set to crack mysteries you see every day! Show off your science skills with the Science Sleuth Book Set. These brainteasers have a clever-twist--you have to tap into your science wisdom and critical thinking skills to solve them. Each mystery takes just one minute to read and challenges your knowledge in biology, chemistry, physics, and earth and space science. Click Here to View Math Madness Book Set Crazy about math... Or wish you were? This book set is just for you! These aren’t your ordinary math books. Kids are challenged to solve math brainteasers and answer questions in sports, cooking, money, travel and more. Kids will see how much math is a critical part of their everyday lives. These fun, educational books are perfect for kids, parents, educators, and anyone interested in knowing the difference between an Olympic event score of 9.0 and Richter scale score of 9.0. Click Here to View
- Mammals Unlocked | Science, Naturally!
Love crazy animal facts? Open Earth: Mammals Unlocked is now in paperback! Get answers all your wackiest wildlife questions with an interactive Q&A format in English or bilingual (English/Spanish) editions! Unlock the wild world of mammals—now in paperback! Fuzzy, scaly, clawed, and finned—mammals can be found in the depths of the ocean and the heights of the mountains. Mammals Unlocked and the bilingual edition, Mammals Unlocked / Mamíferos descubiertos, illuminate the vastness of the mammal world in a simple, interactive question-and-answer format. These first paperback editions of the Open Earth / Tierra Abierta series are a dynamic introduction to class Mammalia, perfect for any kid who’s fascinated by mammals big and small. Discover all the facts you need in order to wow your friends, impress your teachers, and dazzle your dog! Mammals Unlocked is sure to stimulate and challenge even the most knowledgeable animal lover. Press Release Book details English Paperback (ISBN 978-1-958629-13-0) $14.95 Bilingual Paperback (ISBN 978-1-958629-15-4) $14.95 Age range 8 - 12 years Grade range 3rd - 7th Grade Get the book in Hardcover Available now! English English/Spanish "★★★★★ This resource, with its engaging questions and introduction to diverse mammalian members followed by its clearly explained answers, provides an arousing and intriguing introduction to basic science and an awareness of the adaptations nature provides for the survival of the species." —Manhattan Book Review "Find all of what you didn’t know about mammals in this engaging and thought provoking new series. The chapters take you around the world visiting many of the over 6,400 mammal species... Mammals Unlocked is perfect for upper elementary and beyond. The level of curiosity is enhanced with each fact unlocked. A great gift for this upcoming holiday season." —Always In the Middle, Middle Grade Book Reviews Praise for Mammals Unlocked MEET THE AUTHOR Dia L. Michels is an award-winning science and parenting writer who has authored or edited over a dozen books for both children and adults. While her topics include science and math books for middle grade students, her passion is promoting attachment parenting and supporting breastfeeding. A popular speaker, she lectures frequently at conferences, universities, libraries, and schools around the country. The mother of three grown children, she lives in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C., with five cats and a dog. She can be reached at Dia@PlatypusMedia.com . MEET THE Illustrator Bonnie Hofkin's first picture books and early readers, growing up in the home of a physician, were medical journals and anatomy texts. With her interest in the human body thus igniting a lifelong love of art, she first obtained a BA in commercial illustration, followed by a master's degree in medical illustration. Subsequently, she embarked on a 40+ year career as a freelance illustrator. Still going strong, her unique style, in which an eye for accuracy and visual appeal is combined with a classical look reminiscent of the great Renaissance masters, is instantly recognizable.
- November Mystery of the Month | Science, Naturally!
Can you solve this month's real-world math mystery? “Hannah!... Would you please come out here already? Your sister, father, and I have been waiting for you for almost 10 minutes!”... ¿Hablas español? Haga clic aquí para resolver... November Selected from: One Minute Mysteries: 65 MORE Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! Home on the Range Guillermo and Fiorella’s family was enjoying their last hike of the fall before the weather turned too cold to go hiking. Halfway up a mountain on a trail they had never taken before, their father said, “This would be a great spot to have a house.” They looked around the edge of the sunny meadow, down to a stream, feeling a fresh breeze coming down the mountain. “You’re right, Dad,” Guillermo said. “I would love to live here, too,” said Fiorella. “It’s so pretty and I’m sure there are deer and all kinds of other animals here. It would be great to watch wildlife right from our front porch.” “I don’t know about living in a place like this,” their mother said. “There’s no electricity and you kids couldn’t live for more than a day without your gizmos. You could never get the power company to run an electrical line this far out into the woods.” “Well, if we were allowed to build a house here, we could make our own electricity,” Fiorella said. “But making electricity requires energy. Where would we get it?” their father asked. REVEAL ANSWER
- Contact Us | Science, Naturally!
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