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- Mara Plants a Seed | Science, Naturally!
With lyrical language and blooming illustrations, Mara Plants a Seed demonstrates the transformative power of simple actions. By cleaning up an empty lot and planting fifty sunflower seeds, Mara begins to create a flourishing, wild garden — but she doesn’t do it alone. Coming April 2025 How does an imaginative girl turn an empty lot into a flourishing garden? With lyrical language and blooming illustrations, Mara Plants a Seed demonstrates the transformative power of simple actions. By cleaning up an empty lot and planting fifty sunflower seeds, Mara begins to create a flourishing, wild garden — but she doesn’t do it alone. Little does Mara know, flying insects, digging worms, hungry birds, noisy neighbors, and other secret gardeners are working to help transform the lot into something even more beautiful than she imagined. Rain storms wash away seeds, but rabbits leave some behind. Some helpers nibble up weeds, and others fertilize the soil. Each time Mara visits the garden, she’s expecting to see her sunflowers growing. But as the flowers blossom, she uncovers the exciting secrets waiting for her! Mara Plants a Seed inspires young readers to develop a deeper connection to the environment around them and study the many ways natural processes and ordinary animals help plants grow and thrive. Children will watch as Mara’s simple action of restoring an empty lot transforms a community and the beautiful way the garden bursts to life. . Pre-Order Book Details Hardcover (ISBN 978-1-958629-76-5) $18.95 Age range 2 - 7 years Grade range Pre-K - 2nd Grade Trim Size 10" x 10" Page Count 40 pages Press Release Praise for Mara Plants a Seed "While the book’s empty-lot-to-garden conceit is well-trod ground, the emphasis on ecological interdependence offers readers an enduring takeaway." - Publishers Weekly "A sweet and endearing story of hope and all of the delicate and special pieces required to sustain it." - Tyler Thrasher, Botanist, Artist, and Author of “The Universe in 100 Colors.” “Such a wonderful book that shows children that just one small act can make a beautiful difference. 'Mara Plants a Seed' is a perfect story to share with young readers that is packed with valuable lessons." - Melissa Inferrera, 1st Grade Teacher and Plant Mom, @musicmindandsoul “This precious tale of a girl’s journey into the garden inspires us to take a look around and imagine the possibilities. People, insects, bugs and even beings one can not see all come together in harmony. Powered by hope, tenacity and the help of community, we see how magical a single seed can be!” - Tamara Elmore, Tam in the Garden @taminthegarden "A once barren and neglected lot is transformed into a gorgeous, natural garden full of life, though Mara keeps an eye out for those sunflowers she's planted. She's not at all disappointed and neither was I! We're treated to a delightful, vertical two-page spread that I couldn't help but smile wide for when I turned to it. Bailey does a fantastic job of conveying how utterly wonderful it is to behold a wild garden, and Napoli and Furrow do an equally excellent job of explaining the process of seed to flower (including a blurb in the back encouraging readers to plant their own seeds)." - Goodreads Reviewer , Charessa "The principles of seed growth are entwined into this simple story leading to further discussions in the classroom about plant needs, ecosystems as well as ways to turn the unattractive and unused into something beautiful and well-loved." - Primary Teacher, Melanie Dulaney "Mara Plants A Seed is a lovely, heartfelt, relatable, lesson-filled, and creative story! This book is absolutely charming! Mara is a precious character. With her little act of kindness a trashed vacant lot begins to flourish. Her patience, love, and kindness helps nature become activated. The reader sees all the intentional, natural, and accidental actions which help the lot turn into a garden. The resiliency of nature and the joy nature brings to everyone is on full display. I adore this book!" - Goodreads Reviewer, Bailey Young (Check out the full review here ) Meet the Authors Robert Furrow is a gardener, a wildlife educator, and a birder. He is also a professor of teaching at the University of California, Davis, where he lives with his wife and daughters and dog. He teaches many shades of introductory biology, including wildlife natural history and how to garden for wildlife habitat. This is his sixth book co-authored with his mother Donna Jo Napoli. Donna Jo Napoli has published books for preschoolers through high schoolers. She is a gardener, a dancer, and a dual citizen of Italy and America. She is also a linguist who works on sign languages, advocates for the language rights of deaf children, and co-directs the website RISE, which offers bimodal-bilingual video books for free. She lives with her husband outside Philadelphia . Meet the Illustrator Melissa Bailey is the daughter of an avid gardener and granddaughter of a farmer. She is also an award-winning illustrator of 50+ children’s books and the author-illustrator of 2 picture books. Melissa loves living in rural Michigan, thinks it would be awesome to live in a treehouse, and tries to remember to water her plants.
- Marzo Misterio del Mes | Science, Naturally!
Can you solve this real-world science mystery? Reese estaba ayudando a su padre a limpiar las hijas y ramas que se habían caído durante el invierno. Era hora de preparar el patio y el jardín para la primavera. Luego irían a la jardinería, pero primero tenían que verificar qué cosas necesitarían... Marzo Seleccionado de: One Minute Mysteries: More Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! • Misterios de un minuto: ¡Más misterios cortos que resuelves con ciencias! ¡Cara verde, chicos! La familia de Pranav y Maneet había decidido comprar una casa en una urbanización nueva. Habían varios modelos de casas para elegir y habían escogido uno con las características que deseaban. Habían dos casas de ese modelo terminadas y a la venta. Las partes traseras colindaban; una casa miraba hacia el norte, y la otra hacia el sur—cada una con un gran jardín abierto al frente. Habían árboles grandes entre las dos casas, llegando casi hasta la parte trasera de cada una. —Es difícil escoger. Estas dos casas son exactamente iguales —dijo su madre, parada en la terraza trasera de la casa que daba al norte. —Además, el precio es el mismo, aunque sea como sea tendremos que ser más conservadores con el dinero después de comprar una casa nueva —dijo su padre. Pranav sentía el calor del sol, incluso a través de las ramas desnudas de los árboles. La primavera se acercaba. Donde ellos vivían, el invierno era corto y leve, y solo usaban la calefacción de vez en cuando. Los veranos eran largos y muy calurosos—usaban el aire acondicionado casi todo el día. —Deberíamos comprar ésta —dijo Pranav, después de pensar un momento. —¿Cómo decidiste? ¿Lanzaste una moneda virtual al aire? —preguntó Maneet. REVELAR RESPUESTA
- Educational Resources | Science Naturally
Educational resources for increasing bilingual science and math literacy in early childhood education. Educational Resources 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 -Importance of Children's Literature -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 Written by educators, for educators, t hese Guides are adventures in learning... bringing the content to life, across the curriculum! Use these powerful educational tools by themselves or in conjunction with the books. 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 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 to download. the Daily Circuit Weekend Edition -Hands-on Activities Hands-on activities The following downloadable 1-2 page activities are adapted from the Teacher's Guides for our award-winning STEM books. These hands-on experiments and worksheets expand and extend the context of the books in a fun, interactive way that kids can enjoy! Click on the icon or activity name to download. Science Mystery Investigations and Materials Eggcellent Idea Don't Rain on My Parade Stars In Their Eyes Math Mystery Investigations and Materials Map Quest Roll Of The Dice Toss-Up Corralling the Problem Ice Cream, Anyone? Habitat Classification Animal Research Rhyming Word Baleen Scene What is a mammal? Elephant Teeth What's at the end of your arm? Whale Blubber Adaptable Necks Animal Adventure Biodiversity Touch Imaginative Mammals What Do We Call Them? Koala Odor Who Snuggles and Who Nuzzles? Biographical Report Matching Biologists Careers in Biology Nature Sleuth DNA Model Element Scavenger Hunt Bad Fruit Imitating Alchemy Careers in Physics Giant Bubbles Nuclear Fission Tin Foil Boats Biomaterials Paper Airplanes The Bain-Marie and the Double Boiler Listening to Your Heartbeat Types of Doctors Major Organs and Organ Systems Parts of a Plant Capillary Action Conservation and Preservation Acting Out Atoms States of Matter Opposites Attract Element Matching Game Numerical Names How to Read the Periodic Table How Big is a Mole? A Chemist's Classified Cookie Recipe Prefix, Root, and Suffix Whiteboard Game Double Dealing Occupational Hazards My Favorite Dinosaur we are proud to partner with a digital platform where educators can collaborate and share learning resources at no cost. check out our first 3 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 Rack ages 4+ Fractions ages 4+ Number Line ages 4+ Pattern Shapes grades K-5 Number Frames ages 4+ Number Pieces Basic primary grades Math Vocabulary grades K-5 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? Need inspiration? 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 power points Are you a teacher teaching teachers? We created these professional development resources to show educators how to use our books. Click title 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 -Importance of Children's Literature guide to children's literature -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
- ITEEA | Science, Naturally!
Did you see us in the November issue of STEM Connections ? Welcome Members! Have you figured out the solution to Turning Up The Volume ? (Didn't see the mystery? Click here .) Click to Reveal Solution Want to see more? Each month we share a mystery on our website. See if you can solve the Mystery of the Month . This mystery was drawn from 65 Short Mysteries You Solve with Math . Click on the book cover for more information. We also offer this book in a bilingual edition , perfect for English Language Learners, dual-language students, and anyone looking to expand their language and math skills ¿hablas español? In the holiday spirit, we are happy to offer 25% off and free shipping sitewide to ITEEA members. Use code ITEEA to redeem this offer on ScienceNaturally.com before the end of 2018. Schools and after-school programs across the country use our books. Learn more about our resources below: Click on book covers below for more information. One Minute Mysteries Got a minute? Then we have a mystery for you! Written by a father-daughter team, these literature-based titles make math and science fun. Each mystery takes just one minute to read and features real-world scenarios. The brainteasers challenge kids to use critical thinking skills, while the real-life scenarios help keep the content engaging and relevant. With mysteries in biology, chemistry, physics, earth and general science, these books are as popular with educators as they are with kids. Titles in the series include: bilingual! ages 8-12 ages 8-12 ages 10-14 ages 10-14 ages 8-12 101 Things Everyone Should Know... So many questions! Why do we put salt on roads when they are icy? How do you to measure half of one-third a cup in a baking recipe? These books help simplify and demystify math and science concepts with entertaining real world connections in sports, travel, food, weather, and more. With a fun question-and-answer format, these are the perfect titles for kids, parents, educators, and anyone interested in understanding how math and science affect our lives. ages 10-14 ages 8-12 Blended S.T.E.M. Fiction Math and science abound in our fun fiction adventures! These two blended fiction books combine history, mystery, and more to create an immersive cross-curricular adventure. The perfect blend of entertaining and educational science topics for both the classroom and after school. Each of these books come with a free downloadable Teacher's Guide to extend and expand opportunities for learning. Titles in the series include: What is S.T.E.M. Fiction and why do my students need it? "The great thing about S.T.E.M. fiction is that it takes concepts and explains them, then uses the concepts in story form to reinforce the explanation ... "Just because it's S.T.E.M. doesn't mean the stories won't also delve into the worlds of magical realism, humorous exaggeration, or even science fiction in order to tell a good story. It's fiction for a reason! ... "It's important to put entertaining books into children's hands that will whet their appetites for further exploration." Read more about S.T.E.M. Fiction here . ages 10-14 ages 10-14 wondering how educators use our books? click here for some ideas Find us in Kansas City! Stop by booth 401 to say hi, check out our books, and meet company president and founder Dia Michels. Will you be at the 81st ITEEA Annual Conference? Plus, don't miss teachers present how they use our books in the Showcase! In the holiday spirit, we are happy to offer 25% off and free shipping sitewide to ITEEA members. Use code ITEEA to redeem this offer on ScienceNaturally.com before the end of 2018.
- Bonus Halloween Mystery | Pumpkin Patch
Belinda and Madison are sure their witch jack-o-lantern will win their neighborhood pumpkin-carving contest. They’ve even covered all the openings with construction paper so the light will glow green. But when they come back from trick-or-treating, their candle has blown out…again! Halloween Bonus Mystery Selected from: One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! Pumpkin Patch "Where's Linus? We have the Great Pumpkin," Belinda said. Madison laughed. It was Halloween, and all the neighbors around the cul-de-sac were in a contest to see who carved the best pumpkin. The prize was a gift certificate to the video store. She and Belinda had carved a pumpkin with the face of a witch and then used colored paper to cover the openings so that the light from the candle inside would make the face glow green. They lit the candle, put the top back on the pumpkin, and went out trick-or-treating. As they went from house to house, they looked over the other entries for the contest. Carly had done a nice carving of a ghost, and Peter had used an odd-shaped pumpkin to make a funny-looking frog. They came to Sam's house just as he was setting out his pumpkin. "This is the winner right here," Sam said, in a not-too-friendly voice. Madison had to admit, he'd done a good job of carving a haunted house, but she still knew her and Belinda's pumpkin was better. "Watch out for him," Belinda said, as they went to the next house. "He'll probably smash the other pumpkins just so he can win." After they made a lap of the neighborhood, they returned to Madison's house to drop off the candy before everyone would meet for the winner to be announced. Their pumpkin was not smashed, but the candle was out, so it didn't look like anything special. "I know who's to blame," said Madison. "Who?" Belinda asked. REVEAL ANSWER
- September Mystery of the Month | Science, Naturally!
Can you solve this month's real-life math mystery? Max had offered to stay after school to help with the fundraiser. The parents' association was buying new supplies for the three rooms in his grade, and they had divided the cost among all the students. Each student in the three rooms needed to bring in $15.63... Septiembre Seleccionado de: One Minute Mysteries: Short Mysteries You Solve With Math! • Misterios de un minuto: ¡Misterios cortos que resuelves con matemáticas! Guardián del césped —Papá, realmente necesitamos una nueva podadora de césped —dijo Murphy. De todas las personas, Murphy es quien más sabría al respecto. Desde que había cumplido los doce años, le correspondía podar el césped todos los sábados por la mañana. La norma familiar era que los quehaceres se tenían que completar antes de cualquier diversión. Murphy lo había hecho tantas veces, que sabía el número exacto de veces que tenía que ir y venir por el jardín: 20 veces en cada dirección. El padre le echó un vistazo a la podadora. Era difícil de encender y cortaba el pasto a alturas desiguales, dejando partes del césped desnivelado. —Tienes razón. Vayamos a la tienda a ver qué opciones hay —dijo. En la tienda, el padre de Murphy señaló una podadora y dijo: —Este es el modelo más reciente de la podadora que tenemos, con la misma navaja de 60 centímetros de ancho —dijo—. Y aquí hay una con una navaja de 75 centímetros. El hermano menor de Murphy, Hugh, que los había acompañado a la tienda, agregó: —Aquí hay una con una cuchilla de 60 centímetros, pero es de las que tritura el césped como abono. Dice que la navaja gira un 20% más rápido. —Creo que deberíamos comprar la que me permita terminar el patio en tan solo 4/5 del tiempo que me toma hacerlo ahora —dijo Murphy. —¿Cuál es esa? —preguntó Hugh. REVELAR RESPUESTA
- 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? Halloween Misterio Extra Seleccionado de: Misterios de un minuto: ¡Más misterios cortos que resuelves con ciencias! Día de las brujas psicodélico —Oye, tengo una foto vieja de mi abuela vestida como tú, solo que ella no estaba disfrazada —dijo Kassandra cuando Ingrid entró al salón de clases—. Dijo que en su época creían verse muy bien. Normalmente su colegio tenía un código de vestimenta, pero era Halloween, el día de las brujas, y todos habían ido a la escuela disfrazados. Ingrid estaba vestida de hippie. Traía puesta una camisa de colores al batik, cuentas de colores, sandalias, y unas gafas con lentes color naranja en forma de corazones. Ingrid se quitó las gafas durante la clase, pero se las volvió a poner en la tarde a la hora de prepararse para la fiesta. Los alumnos estaban decorando el salón y pintando letreros para el desfile de la escuela. Quan, que pensaba que era muy chistoso, estaba colgando decoraciones al revés. Preston fingía que luchaba a espadas en su disfraz de piratas, y Ricky jugaba con sangre artificial después de ponerse un poco en su disfraz de zombi. Al acercarse la hora del desfile, Kassandra se dio cuenta de que uno de los letreros había sido decorado con una calabaza roja en vez de naranja. —¿A ver, quién es el chistoso? —preguntó Kassandra. Miró alrededor del salón en busca de una cara culpable. REVELA RESPUERTA
- How Cats Say I Love You | Science, Naturally!
Featuring kids and cats from all over the world, this illustrated social-emotional learning book is now in paperback! Young readers will learn to look for the different ways their friends—human and feline alike—share their feelings. Paperback Edition Coming September 2024 Cats hav e a lot to say! Just like people, cats share their feelings in all sorts of ways. It's up to us to uncover what our furry friends are trying to tell us. Are they gently purring or curiously crouching? Is their tail straight or swishing? Featuring a diverse cast of kids and cats from all over the world, this social-emotional learning book, now available in an English paperback edition, models empathy and compassion. Young readers will learn to look for the different ways their friends—human and feline alike—share their feelings. Written by award-winning author (and cat owner) Guy Brown, with colorful and lively illustrations from Davide Ortu, How Cats Say I Love You teaches young kids how to care for others' feelings as well as their own, while showing that healthy relationships are rooted in communication. . PREORDER IN PAPERBACK ORDER IN HARDCOVER Book details Paperback (ISBN 978-1-951995-12-6) $14.95 Age range 2 - 7 years Grade range Pre-K - 2nd Grade Trim Size 8" x 8" Page Count 32 pages Get the Bilingual edition ORDER Praise for How Cats Say I love You “A fun and engaging book with lively illustrations, How Cats Say I Love You teaches young children to explore emotions and communication with the help of cats from around the world. A valuable resource for parents and educators alike.” — Janan Cain, author of the bestselling books The Way I Feel and The Way I Feel Too "Delightfully playful! This culturally diverse book models ways for children to manage their emotions and how to be mindful of the emotions of others. A warm and joyful addition to any young child's library." —A. Heather E. Halperin, MSW, LCSW, Retired Faculty USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, Los Angeles, CA MEET THE AUTHOR Author and TV meteorologist Guy Brown ca n be seen forecasting the weather on-air today in New York City. He enjoys volunteering at local elementary schools, where he shares his passion for meteorology with children. How Cats Say I Love You is his second children's book, inspired by his beloved pet cat, Rosalie. He also dabbles in acrylic painting, and is an active member of the National Weather Association and the National Association of Black Journalists. MEET THE Illustrator Davide Ortu is an Italian artist now living in Spain. He studied art in Cagliari Arts Lyceum FOISO FOIS, Sardinia. He began as a graphic designer in advertising before moving to Madrid, where he discovered the world of children's illustrations. Through the use of intense colors, atmospheres between dreams and reality, and fantastic elements, his artwork stops time to show the biggest emotions in the smallest people.
- Tiny Tern Takes Flight | Science, Naturally!
Tiny Tern’s extraordinary journey begins! Arctic terns make the longest migration of any species. Every year, they fly all the way from the northern Arctic to the southern Antarctic—and back. Experience a bird’s-eye view of getting lost in heavy storms, protecting hatchlings from predators, and finally reaching your destination. This book is a celebration of the power of perseverance and a reminder that sometimes all it takes is a little bravery. Coming June 2025 Spanish and English Paperback Keep an eye out for the third edition of this title, coming in November 2025: a reversible English/Spanish bilingual edition—Charrancito se lanza a volar / Tiny Tern Takes Flight. We’re thrilled to make this extraordinary story even more accessible to readers and language learners everywhere. Whether you’re a Spanish speaker, an English speaker, or learning either language, this edition is designed for you. The reversible format lets readers enjoy the story in both languages—just flip the book to switch between English and Spanish. Tiny Tern’s extraordinary journey begins! Arctic terns make the longest migration of any species. Every year, they fly from the northern Arctic to the southern Antarctic—and back—spending most of the year in flight. As the days grow shorter and colder, Tiny Tern and the flock prepare to leave the Arctic and begin their journey towards sunlight and warmth. The terns travel all the way to the other side of the world. Along the way, they encounter many dangers. Experience a bird’s-eye view of getting lost in heavy storms, protecting hatchlings from predators, and finally reaching your destination. Following the story, discover more educational content about arctic terns. Read about what they eat, how they fly, and everything they encounter during their time in the Arctic and Antarctic. With lyrical text and wondrous illustrations, join the flock of terns on their incredible journey, and learn about the power of perseverance from the birds who do it best. Tiny Tern Takes Flight is a celebration of nature, featuring the seemingly ordinary tern’s lifelong quest for summer sunlight. Preorder English Preorder Spanish Press Release Book Details Age r ange 4 - 7 years Gr a de range Preschool - 2nd Grade Hardcover (English) (ISBN 978-1-958629-55-0) • $18.95 Paperback (English) (ISBN 978-1-958629-55-0) • $16.95 Paperback (Spanish) (ISBN 978-1-958629-84-0) • $16.95 eBook (English) (ISBN 978-1-958629-56-7) • $15.99 Reviews "I'm delighted to see the incredible journey of the Arctic Tern celebrated in this beautifully illustrated and evocative book. It's a wonderful addition that brings diversity to children's literature, inspiring the next generation to appreciate and protect our natural world." --Grant Ballard, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer, Point Blue "In Tiny Tern Takes Flight, Donna B. McKinney invites readers into Tiny Tern and their flock’s enchanting migration journey. With Fiona Osbaldstone’s vibrant illustrations, this delightful tale sparks imagination and fosters a love for nature in young readers.” – S. Cargill, @shontalthebirder “The best children’s books should be familiar enough to be relatable – and mysterious enough to be intriguing. ‘Tiny Tern Takes Flight’ achieves both of these by telling the story of the Artic Tern - one of the world’s most itinerate travelers – who ventures from pole to pole annually in search of sun and food. Avian migration is truly one of the world’s most intriguing natural phenomena - this story can only help engage future naturalists and ornithologists.” – Dick Evans, San Francisco-based Documentary Photographer, Birder and author About the Author About the Illustrator Donna B. McKinney lived most of her life in the Washington, D.C. area, where she worked at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, writing about science. Now she has another great job—writing books for kids, including her previous release titled Lights On. Donna currently lives in North Carolina with two full-of-mischief dogs. When she’s not writing, she enjoys hiking, fishing, and playing a game called pickleball (kind of like a mix of tennis and ping pong). Born and bred in Kent, England, Fiona Osbaldstone loved painting as a kid and used to paint her own versions of Disney characters. She always wanted to do something with art and went to the Kent Institute of Art & Design. She was inspired by the works of David Shepherd and Norman Rockwell for their detail and diversely different styles. Her work includes natural history, botanicals, people, and scenes. Outside of the artistic field, although not too far removed, she loves pottery and makes and sells her own pieces. She enjoys photography as well as cycling but is “not too good at that and will invariably end up in a ditch.”
- Enero misterio del mes | Science Naturally
Enero Seleccionado de: One Minute Mysteries: Short Mysteries You Solve With Math! • Misterios de un minuto: ¡Misterios Cortos que Resuelves con Matemáticas! Fijando la fecha Una noche, Elijah y Kevin estaban viendo el debate de las próximas elecciones presidenciales. Estaban en la sala, en casa de Kevin, tomando notas sobre los temas debatidos y los argumentos principales de cada candidato. La mañana siguiente tendrían un examen al respecto en su clase de Estudios Sociales. El hermano menor de Kevin, John, estaba sentado en la computadora en una esquina de la sala, preparando las invitaciones para su fiesta de cumpleaños, que sería el 6 de enero. Siempre celebraba su fiesta el mismo día de su cumpleaños, aunque fuera un día de escuela. Ya se estaba emocionando con la idea, a pesar de que faltaban más de dos meses. Kevin le había ayudado a empezar en el programa de la computadora, pero se había tenido que regresar al televisor cuando empezó el debate. John leyó en voz alta lo que había escrito hasta el momento: —Estás invitado a la fiesta de cumpleaños de John el día . . . lo que sea, 6 de enero. Kevin, ¿qué día de la semana es mi cumpleaños? Todavía no tenemos un calendario para el próximo año. —¿Qué se yo? —respondió Kevin—. Estoy intentando ver este debate. —¿Recuerdas en qué día de la semana cayó tu cumpleaños este año? —le preguntó Elijah a John. —Domingo —contestó John—. Recuerdo que vimos un partido de fútbol profesional en la tele durante la fiesta. —Bueno, ¿no es obvio el día de la semana en que caerá tu cumpleaños? —preguntó Elijah. REVELAR RESPUESTA
- Speaking | Science Naturally | Publisher
President and founder of Science Naturally, Dia Michels is an internationally published, award-winning science writer. A popular speaker, she lectures frequently at universities, libraries, and conferences across the country. Read about her presentations below. President and founder of Science Naturally, Dia Michels is an internationally published, award-winning science writer. Her topics include science and math books for middle grade students, and her passion is fostering curiosity in young minds. A popular speaker, she lectures frequently at universities, libraries, and conferences across the country. Read about her talks below. Creativity, Curiosity, and Critical Thinking Combined Discover Strategies to Build Confidence and Encourage Curiosity In today's fast-paced world, schools encourage kids to memorize facts and learn answers to test questions. Unfortunately, this focus often means children are not learning the critical reasoning skills that are so important for applied science and math, which they will encounter in higher education and in real life. To succeed in life and excel in STEM careers, it is imperative for today's students to learn how to use what they know to deduce what they don't. It's not enough to know the answer, they also need to know the "why". This workshop will teach strategies that help kids get to the all-important "ah-ha!" moment. We'll use short questions and brainteasers as an opportunity for creative At the end of this session the participant will be able to... Use literature-based math and science to develop critical thinking skills and promote curiosity. Implement strategies to build confidence and encourage curiosity in the classroom and beyond. analytical reasoning, with each simple mystery as an example of real-life STEM applications. Hands-on activities and fun worksheets help extend the material. Content is interdisciplinary and supports current curriculum standards. Get inspired to encourage creativity, confidence, and curiosity through science and math! If My Mom Were A Platypus Teaching Science through Mammal Life Cycle Stories There are approximately 5000 species of mammals on our planet. They live and reproduce and raise their young in every conceivable habitat, from icy arctic waters to the unrelenting heat of the desert; they live in caves, in trees, in seawater, in freshwater; some are as small as a grape, others the size of a bus. This lively, hands-on workshop shows teachers how to introduce kids to life cycle curricula through engaging mammal stories. Science and parenting writer Dia L. Michels shares insights about the behaviors and characteristics of mammals from her book If My Mom Were a Platypus . This fascinating introduction to the world of mammals captures the universality of the life cycle. The stories are charming, but more importantly, they convey significant scientific insight. The content aligns directly with the Next Generation Science Standards as well as both primary and middle school curricula. Attendees will leave the room with a new set of tools for teaching—and a keen sense of what makes mammals special! At the end of this session the participant will be able to... Use engaging mammal facts to help kids understand and take interest in a variety of life science concepts (sensory perception, infant identification, habitats, nutrient density, adaptations, ecology, metabolism, anatomy, biomes, and classification). Easily incorporate the lessons and activities from the presentation into their curriculum to spark curiosity in their students. Game Show - kids' edition! Are You Smarter than a Mammalogist ? FOR KIDS! This fun-filled, interactive game challenges your mammal knowledge. What can we learn by exploring how other mammals are born and raised? With a focus on early childhood, we uncover fascinating facts, amazing adaptations, and parenting peculiarities. There are over 6,000 mammal species, ranging in shape, size, and habitat. Learn about the diverse ways babies develop (in a womb, pouch, or egg), survive (are they “nest,” “cache,” “follow,” or “carry” mammals?), and how fast or slow the young grow up (newborn blue whales gain 8 pounds per hour!). Come ready to learn, and leave with an appreciation for the diversity in animal adaptations. Plus, pick up prizes along the way! At the end of this session the participant will be able to... Recognize the fundamental similarities and astonishing differences across the mammal class. Gain a greater appreciation for their inner mammal and deeper understanding of their place in the natural world. Understanding How Special it is to Grow Up Human Classifying Mammals in Meaningful Way for Children Educators teach children that we classify living things so we can make order out of our world. We teach them that they are mammals and tell them that there are four requirements to be a mammal: they must have hair or fur, be endothermic, have a backbone, and the females must raise the young on mother's milk. Most of these characteristics, however, apply to many other members of the animal kingdom. Are there more meaningful ways we can teach students to classify mammals? Dia Michels, author of If My Mom Were A Platypus , explores some mammal attributes that provide a fresh perspective on classification and helps kids understand why being a mammal is so special. At the end of this session the participant will be able to... Identify the core characteristics that make a mammal. Understand why and how scientists classify life on Earth and why these taxonomic classifications may be challenged or changed. Understanding How Special it is to Grow Up Human Preview the content in Dia's own words in this short podcast recorded at ALA 2019: Interested in booking Dia for one of these talks? Email Info@ScienceNaturally.com for more details.