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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

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

Can you solve this month's mystery? Spring had turned the corner and twins Frances and Fiona were pleased that they could start spending time outside in the back yard. The family’s yard was sheltered by trees with long branches, perfect for the girls’ hobby of bird watching. ¿Hablas español? Haga clic aquí para resolver... April Selected from: One Minute Mysteries: 65 More Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! Take a Hike The students were pleased with the weather on the day of their field trip. It had rained the previous day and night, but this morning it was only cool and cloudy as the kids walked to the Visitors’ Center. The class was learning about different ecosystems, and had taken a bus to a park with a meadow, a pond, and woods. They were divided into three groups to collect samples and take pictures. They had walkie-talkies to keep in touch because cell phones didn’t work there. One group walked down a long, steep path to Frog Pond with Mr. Wysor. Marcel and Tucker’s group hiked across to the meadow with Ms. Smith, while the third group took on the task of studying the woods on a hillside with Mrs. Hammerick. After an hour or so, Ms. Smith’s group was finished. They walked back to the Visitors’ Center, but neither of the other groups had returned. Ms. Smith asked Marcel to check on them. “We’re finished in the meadow and can leave any time. How are you guys doing? Over,” he said into the walkie-talkie. “We have our samples and are just taking the last of the pictures. We will start walking back in a couple of minutes. Over,” a voice replied. “We’re getting samples, but it’s so foggy here that the pictures won’t be any good. Give us another 20 minutes. Maybe the fog will lift. Over,” another voice responded. “I didn’t recognize those voices. Which group needs more time?” Tucker asked Marcel. REVEAL ANSWER

Science, Naturally is an independent press committed to increasing bilingual science and math literacy in early childhood education. We know that every classroom in the country needs more STEM materials, but we also know that schools in the US are chronically underfunded. We are here to solve both problems! Our award-winning trade books are the perfect way to expand and enhance your classroom and ELO curricula. We've helped numerous schools apply for grants to get these STEM resources in their classrooms and libraries. Let us help you! This page contains: Foundation Grant Resource Document Freelance Grant Writers Grant Resources gRANT wRITERS Need a grant writer? Hiring a grant writer can be an effective way of bringing resources into your institution. A number of individuals who have worked as grant writers and may be able to work with you on grant requests either as a writer or as a consultant is listed below. ** Science, Naturally! has no financial connection to any of these individuals. ** Audella Patterson | Independent Consultant | 909-609-4035 Patterson has helped to research, review, match, and prepare grant/proposal applications for various nonprofit entities, including school districts, museums, children and youth afterschool, faith-based, etc., covering a variety of areas, including education, STEMs, health, physical fitness, technology, capacity building, etc. 23 successful years in: Federal, State, and Local Government Agencies, Foundations, and Corporate Grant/Proposal Research, Project Development and Writing Program/Project Design/Development Budget Development Strategic Planning ~ Retreat Facilitation (3-5 year development plans) Material Development: By-Laws, Conflict of Interest Statements, Agency Policy, Employee Handbooks, Training Material, P/R material (brochures, donor letters/solicitation, media ads and PSAs) Events Design/Planning to Cultivate Individual Membership Donor Development Board/Staff Development/Training 6 successful years in: Non-profit design, mission, vision, purpose setups, state corporate applications, and 100% IRS 501 c3 nonprofit approvals including areas for Native American, health, senior residential facilities and faith-based organizations. Published Amazon Kindle Book: How to Set Up a Non Profit Pamela Chapman | Director of Science & Urban Education | Exploring the Elements Exploring the Elements strives to provide quality STEM educational pathways for under- served and underrepresented students. We provide a variety of services to meet the needs of the 21st C. student and educator. We provide consulting services for integrating STEM components into the curriculum. Over the last 10 years, Pamela Chapman has assisted various schools in procuring almost $1 million in grant funding. Thomas Medcalf | K-5 Science Resource Teacher Thomas Medcalf is a science resources teacher, science curriculum writer, and elementary science professional development trainer in West Palm Beach, FL. He has successfully written and received elementary STEM grants. FOUNDATION GRANT RESOURCE DOCUMENT We have helped many schools locate foundations that support STEM education and successfully apply for funding. Click the links below for our guide: Successful Foundation Grant Recipients Schools, camps and other educational programs have used grant money to buy large quantities of Science, Naturally books at discount prices. Here are some of the recipients: Advancing Teachers of Middle School Science, Mississippi State, MS ATOMS2XP, or Advancing Teachers of Middle School Science, is a program with the goal of increasing the number of highly qualified 4th - 8th grade science teachers across Mississippi. Using funds from a U.S. Department of Education Mathematics and Science Partnership Grant, they were able to purchase Science, Naturally! math and science books to distribute to the teachers attending their 2013 Spring Training Workshop. Prince George’s County Public Schools, Prince George’s County, MD Prince George’s County Public Schools used STEM grant funds to purchase 1,000 copies of Science, Naturally! titles. For two consecutive years, these books were given as gifts to students who qualified to participate in the annual Kids for Science STEM Fair. Each participant received a book the morning of the Fair to read while the judging was taking place. The kids, whether they placed in the Fair or not, all took home a quality STEM item to enjoy and help form a STEM home library of their own. Capitol Hill Montessori at Logan, Washington, DC Capitol Hill Montessori educates over 300 children in grades preK-6, and they have no library budget. They received a community grant to purchase hundreds of new books from Science, Naturally!, greatly expanding their school library and allowing them to send books home with students as gifts. In a city where a full third of the adult population lacks basic reading skills, not only do these books enhance students’ math and science education, but they provide encouragement to students to read at home. Watauga Middle School, Watauga, TX Watauga Middle School is a Title I school that serves a high population of at-risk and economically disadvantaged students. They had Title I funds that were not earmarked for specific disciplines, but since science and math were their lowest performing areas, grant requests in those areas were given priority consideration. According to the school, the textbooks they use for math and science are not engaging and are often above the reading level of their students, so having something fun for the students to read in math and science was a huge benefit. They will incorporate Science, Naturally! books into their science classes’ interactive journaling campus-wide. Palomar College, GFSPS, San Marcos, CA This summer camp for underprivileged kids in San Diego bought 1,100 Science, Naturally! titles using state and federal GEAR UP funding. The books were used to inspire the kids about math and science and to stimulate camp activities. Participants were given the books to keep at the end of the program. Robert Brent Elementary School, Washington, DC Robert Brent Elementary is a Washington, D.C. public school. They serve 330 students, pre-K-5. Their diversity drops dramatically as students advance to upper grades. Almost the entire 4th and 5th grade classes qualify for free or reduced lunch. Their students scored in the 56th percentile in both math and reading on the DC-CAS, and the school believes that the number of word-problems on the math test contributed to the low scores. They submitted a successful grant request to a community foundation to purchase Science, Naturally! books for instructional resources nd as additions to their very limited school library. The Need for STEM Education A recent survey from Wired Magazine found that parents are more comfortable talking with their kids about drugs than about science and math. It’s not that parents don’t recognize that math and science are critical to their child’s future success, but when it comes down to actually doing something — that’s where they’re lacking. If parents need help connecting what they learned in school to the real world, is it any surprise that their children struggle with this, too? Scientists, educators and government experts agree there is a general lack of public understanding of science. Educators and employers are worried that too few Americans have functional literacy in math, science, technology and engineering. In a recent poll, just 26% of Americans believe they have a good understanding of science; 44% couldn't identify a single scientist, living or dead, whom they'd consider a role model for the nation's children. On a recent round of international tests, U.S. students rated below average in math and science literacy. Not only do a small fraction of our students understand the intricacies of science and math, but very few of America’s youth are preparing for careers in math and science. In 2009, the reading achievement gap between 8th grade students in low-poverty versus high-poverty schools was 34 points (out of 500). The mathematics achievement gap was 38 points. Here are some excerpts from a Washington Post article (Nov. 18, 2010) “Nation's public schools are improving, but still have a long way to go”: “The nation's high school seniors are performing slightly better in math and reading than they did in the middle of the last decade, new test results show, but a large majority continue to fall short of the federal standard for proficiency. But analysts said the federal test results (from the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress) offer plenty of reason for concern. The scores mean that 38 percent of seniors demonstrated proficiency in reading and 26 percent reached that level in math. In addition, reading scores remain lower than they were in 1992. And the report found essentially no progress in closing achievement gaps that separate white students from black and Hispanic peers. “Those results suggest that public schools must make quantum leaps to approach President Obama's goal of college and career readiness for all graduates…. ‘We've got a huge mountain to climb if we're serious about college readiness for everyone,’ said Chester E. Finn Jr., president of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, an education think tank…Finn said the federal test results have implications for the nation's ability to compete globally. ‘We're not getting worse,’ he said, ‘but we're not getting better. And the rest of the world is getting better faster.’” How do we get our children interested in these subjects? How do we show kids that in real life, beyond the classroom, math and science are all around us? How do we explain the mysteries of math and science in ways that are exciting and easy to understand? President Obama is putting his money where his mouth is. With his increasing commitment to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, groups promoting STEM are now in the national spotlight. His “Educate to Innovate” campaign is further proof of his commitment to math and science literacy in today’s youth. The new Museum of Math, the World Science Festival in New York City and the upcoming USA Science & Engineering Festival in Washington, D.C., with satellite events all over the country, are evidence of a national awareness that science and math are priorities—and that we need to inspire our kids about these subjects at a young age. The Importance of Trade Books "Why? This book helps kids answer that important question. Filled with kid-centric mini-mysteries and clear and concise solutions, One Minute Mysteries: 65 More Mysteries You Solve With Science encourages kids to think critically about real-life situations. With Next Generation Science Standards on the horizon, this book will be a sure hit in the classroom. An entertaining and educationally-engaging tool for science teachers everywhere!" —Gail O. Schulte, Recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching, Instructional Facilitator, Rutherford County Schools, TN “These books are some of the most engaging nonfiction books I have ever read! They correlate so well with our science curriculum and the Common Core State Standards. The reason we love them is because they have real-world applications. With Mississippi adopting the new Common Core State Standards, using nonfiction texts is very important. Science, Naturally!’s books are an excellent asset to our teachers' resource libraries!” —Sonya Smith, Science Field Coordinator, ATOMS2XP (Advancing Teachers of Middle School Science) and IMPACT2 (In-depth Mathematical Practices and Content Teacher Training), Mississippi State, MS Too many students today are filled with "book knowledge" they don't know how to use. They have memorized facts and filled in bubbles on standardized tests until their #2 pencils are worn down to nubs. Parents and educators are saying education should be more than that; it should place emphasis on problem solving, deep thinking, and critical analysis. When was the last time your biology textbook led to a stimulating discussion? Studies show that in contrast to textbooks, trade books can be a powerful tool to promote critical thinking, creativity, and curiosity. Instead of defining knowledge as memorized, disconnected facts, trade books promote real-world problem solving skills. Students who understand there are many “correct” ways to solve problems have a great advantage over those who believe there’s a single answer for every question. The Common Core State Standards, which are being implemented in 46 states and the District of Columbia, require well-researched informational text, well-crafted narrative text and readings that engage critical analysis and reward re-reading. Nonfiction texts will account for a full 70% of all reading assigned in the classroom. Textbooks will be de-emphasized and trade book use will be increased. Trade books can be used in math and science education in several ways: To read aloud to a class To introduce a math and science topic and related facts To answer student questions and generate further student questions To further explore a topic combined with hand-on experiences The most immediate benefit of using trade books is an increase in student engagement. Math and science is real and part of everyday life: it is alive in books that children, teachers and parents enjoy reading. Kids learn how to extract the important data needed to solve science and math problems while strengthening and rewarding reading skills. Sparking delight in a good book makes math and science more enjoyable to read and not as scary. References: Cox, Carol. “What the Research Says About Literature-Based Teaching and Science.” Reading Rockets. 25 Oct. 2012. Web. Price, Ruth, and Colleen Lennon. “Using Children’s Literature to Teach Mathematics.” Quantile. 25 Oct 2012. Web.< http://www.quantiles.com/resources/literaturemathematics.pdf> Ways to Use Our Supplemental STEM Books The main goal of providing these titles to your students is to increase their excitement about math and science by engaging them in fun, new ways. Some of them will go on to pursue STEM careers, others will not. The bottom line is that not being a scientist or a mathematician does not excuse them from understanding these subjects. Understanding these subjects will give them the tools to succeed in any field. Here are some suggestions of ways to incorporate the books into your program: Curricula Enrichment: Combining literature with science and mathematics blends fact and fiction to improve students’ language and communication skills, as well as adding dimension and understanding to these subjects. When they come together, literature, math and science become more interesting, engaging and applicable to real-life situations. Research has shown that students are more comfortable talking about math and science when it is incorporated in literature, and teachers can more easily identify misunderstandings students may have. When adults regularly discuss math and science concepts, children discover new connections around them on a daily basis. Extended Learning Opportunities (ELOs): Many of the kids attending America’s public schools struggle with reading and have experienced limited success in math and science. They lack motivation to reach higher in these subjects because they do not understand how the material connects to daily life. You may propose to use grant money to create a demonstration project for implementing math and science enrichment that dovetails and extends existing curriculum. ELOs could be before-school programs, after-school programs, science and math clubs, Saturday extra learning time, and even summer programs (creating summer programs also aids in the reduction of Summer Learning Loss). You might propose using grant funds to create a detailed curriculum showing how these books can be used in ELOs to help children connect to and extend their classroom curriculum. Incentives for Success: Many organizations use our books as incentive rewards. Rewarding students can lead to academic and behavioral improvements, while sustaining their interest. You may propose grant funding to provide you with the ability to offer products to your students that are both relevant and useful. These incentives can be used for successful completion of the annual Science Fair, excellent class participation and/or satisfactory class grades. The affordability of these books means that schools can acquire them for not much more than they spend now on ribbons and trinkets. Giving students a high-quality book sends the message that they are worthy of a quality product. These motivational prizes will not only help them in the classroom, but will also help them establish and/or expand their home library. Classroom and School Library Expansion: You might state a goal for grant funding of using the money to enhance classroom libraries for the 3rd to 8th grade math and science rooms, as well as the school library. These books help build skills in reading, problem-solving, science and math, with supporting content correlated to your school’s math and science standards. Having these books at their disposal will get your kids excited about math and science through creative extensions of existing curricula with real life applications. In taking these steps to provide resources that can help students succeed in school, you are working to ensure the future of our nation by raising a generation of children who will feel confident in the crucial fields of math and science and will carry that knowledge into adulthood. Optimizing Downtime: The beginning of class can often be downtime as students take their seats and the teacher takes attendance. These books can be used to get students on task the moment they enter the classroom. Teachers around the country have embraced these books as perfect bell-ringers, helping students get focused and getting their brains warmed up. Similarly, they can help fill a five or ten minute gap at the end of class when the lesson is over but learning should not stop. Additionally, students are often inspired to write their own mysteries or science/math and questions, using the books as models. Content for Non-STEM Educators: These books add instant energy to the classroom. After all, a mystery (or a question) a day keeps boredom away! The books can be great resources for non-STEM educators who are taking over a STEM class temporarily or are tasked with incorporating STEM content into their classes, such as in a Literacy and Numeracy period, which many schools are adding to their school day. Book Fair and Other Fundraiser Resources: If your school holds book fairs, consider adding Science, Naturally! books to the selection. Book fairs promote an excitement for reading while providing a place where kids can easily preview and purchase affordable books to develop their home libraries. You might purchase the books at the bulk discount rate of up to 50% off (contact us for 500+ quantities) and use the fairs to raise funds to support your school library budget. Incredible Discounts and Sample Budget Small, but powerful. That’s the adage by which Science, Naturally! operates. Without the ties of a large, bureaucratic publisher, we can offer discounts up to 35% (contact us for 500+ quantities). Our award-winning products speak to our credibility. Our prices demonstrate our commitment to the great thinkers of tomorrow. 10-24 books................15% discount 25-49 books................20% discount 50-99 books................25% discount 100-499 books............35% discount 500+ books.................Please contact us All prices are in U.S. dollars Bulk discounts apply to quantity of the same item purchased. All orders are non-returnable. All orders must include company check or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover) or PayPal information. Purchase orders accepted from recognized government/institutional accounts. Shipping and Handling Rates USA USPS Media Mail 9% of order total ($5.95) USPS First Class/Priority, FedEx Ground or UPS Ground 5% of order total ($5.95 minimum) + actual cost of shipping Prepaid & Collect Shipments 5% of order total ($5.95 minimum) CANADA & INTERNATIONAL Please contact us Sample Grant Budget:

Explore Quality Books at The First Book Marketplace | Affordable Educational Resources for Kids of All Ages | Platypus Media's Contributions to This Program | Grab Your Favorite Sets, Including STEM Collections and Bilingual Titles at Discounts! The First Book Marketplace makes quality books available to organizations that serve families in need. The First Book Marketplace offers educators and program leaders new titles at 50-90 percent off retail price for kids from birth to 18, including award winning and culturally inclusive books, teacher resources, and other educational products. Platypus Media is honored to be a part of this wonderful program. Many of our books are for sale on the First Book Marketplace at a steep discount for qualifying buyers : Book Sets 101 Things About Science and Math Collection (30 paperbacks) $173.48 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Science! (15 copies) 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Math! (15 copies) Animals and Habitats (28 paperbacks) $161.91 This Is the Sun (7 copies) This Is How I Grow (7 copies) Look Up to See What the Weather Will Be (7 copies) If My Mom Were a Platypus (7 copies) Math Madness Collection (30 paperbacks) $173.48 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Math! (15 copies) 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Math! (15 copies) Science Explorations Collection (25 paperbacks) $144.56 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Science! (5 copies) 65 Short Mysteries You Solve with Science! (5 copies) 65 MORE Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! (5 copies) Leonardo da Vinci Gets a Do-Over! (5 copies) Ghost in the Water (5 copies) One Minute Science & Math Mysteries Collection (30 paperbacks) $173.48 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Math! (10 copies) 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! (10 copies) 65 MORE Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! (10 copies) Book Sets Available in Spanish & Spanish/English Bilingual Animales y sus hábitats (Animals and Habitats Spanish Collection) (Spanish paperback) $166.81 Este es el Sol (7 copies) Así crezco (7 copies) Mira hacia el cielo y verás cómo el tiempo estará (7 copies) Si mi mamá fuera un ornitorrinco (7 copies) One Minute Science & Math Mysteries Bilingual Collection (English/Spanish paperback) $173.48 Short Mysteries You Solve With Math! / ¡Misterios cortos que resuelves con matemáticas! (5 copies) More Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! / Misterios de un minuto: ¡Más misterios cortos que resuelves con ciencias! (5 copies) Nurtured and Nuzzled Bilingual Collection (English/Spanish paperback) $141.98 Cuddled and Carried / Consentido y cargado (15 copies) Babies Nurse / Así se alimentan los bebés (15 copies) Las mujeres en CTIM (Women in STEM Spanish Collection) (Spanish paperback) $173.48 Las mujeres en la biología (5 copies) Las mujeres en la química (5 copies) Las mujeres en la física (5 copies) Las mujeres en la ingeniería (5 copies) Las mujeres en la medicina (5 copies) Las mujeres en la botánica (5 copies) Single Title Bundles Available in Multiple Languages Cuddled and Carried / আদরে ও আলিঙ্গরে Bilingual Collection (English/Bengali paperback) $131.48 Cuddled and Carried / আদরে ও আলিঙ্গরে (30 copies) Cuddled and Carried / Karese'm epi pote'm Bilingual Collection (English/Haitian Creole paperback) $131.48 Cuddled and Carried / Karese'm epi pote'm (30 copies) If My Mom Were a Platypus Collection (English paperback) $86.74 If My Mom Were a Platypus (15 copies) If My Mom Were a Platypus Spanish Collection (Spanish paperback) $86.74 Si mi mamá fuera un ornitorrinco: Los bebés mamíferos y sus madres (15 copies) My Community Loves Me Collection (English paperback) $520.58 My Community Loves Me (110 copies) Spheres All Year / Las esferas todo el año Bilingual Collection (English/Spanish paperback) $173.48 Spheres All Year / Las esferas todo el año (30 copies) This Is the Sun / Este es el Sol Reversible Bilingual Collection (English/Spanish paperback) $194.48 This Is the Sun / Este es el Sol (30 copies) Twinkle, Twinkle, Daytime Star Collection (English paperback) $462.60 Twinkle, Twinkle, Daytime Star (80 copies) Twinkle, Twinkle, Daytime Star / Brilla, brilla, estrellita del día Bilingual Collection (English/Spanish paperback) $462.60 Twinkle, Twinkle, Daytime Star / Brilla, brilla, estrellita del día (80 copies) Twinkle, Twinkle, Nighttime Sky Collection (English paperback) $462.60 Twinkle, Twinkle, Nighttime Sky (80 copies) Twinkle, Twinkle, Nighttime Sky / Brilla, brilla, cielito de la noche Bilingual Collection (English/Spanish paperback) $462.60 Twinkle, Twinkle, Nighttime Sky / Brilla, brilla, cielito de la noche (80 copies) Looking for titles not yet available on the Marketplace? We're happy to offer discount pricing for customers who are First Book eligible. Please contact Ali@PlatypusMedia.com .

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.

Stay Ahead of the Curve with Science Naturally | Discover Upcoming Books in STEM and More | Get Ready for Exciting Releases in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics! COMING SOON Plant a seed of knowledge with our award-winning picture book's official Spanish translation. April 6, 2027

Science, Naturally is an independent press committed to increasing science and math literacy in early childhood education. Come See Us As much time as we spend working on exciting new books for you to enjoy, the real fun is getting out and meeting you! We travel far and wide to introduce our books to families, educators, and book lovers. Here are some places you can find us soon: Here's where we've been recently: May 3, 2020 Literary Hill Bookfest Washington, DC March 11-14, 2020 ITEEA Annual Conference Baltimore, MD Join Science Naturally president and founder Dia Michels for her session Creativity, Curiosity, and Critical Thinking Combined on Friday, March 13 at 1 pm in Room 342 . December 7, 2019 NoVa Labs Maker Market and Artisan Fair Reston, VA October 18-20, 2019 CA Science Education Conference San Jose, CA June 20-24, 2019 ALA Annual Conference Washington, DC We had an amazing time at the 2019 ALA Annual Conference! Did you catch our friendly mascot Snugglepus roaming the hall? We were thrilled to see our Spanish-language books featured at the Diversity in Publishing Pavilion Snugglepus enjoyed an evening in ALA's Central Park... ...and even got to meet Clifford the Big Red Dog! Plus, company president and founder Dia Michels recorded a podcast! Listen to it here: Dia Michels @ ALA June 2, 2019 BookCon New York, NY Come visit the Family HQ tent to hear Nathan Levy , author of the award-winning 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Science and 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Math do a short presentation. June 2, 2019 Maker Faire NoVa Fairfax, VA We had a great time at Maker Faire NoVa this weekend! We loved meeting all of you and seeing what the other Makers had in store. Jill, from the Fairfax County Library booth, shows kids how to play a carrot piano Guitars crafted from maple, made by 8th graders at the Ideaventions Academy in Reston, VA Anay checks out the laser printers A 3D printers makes an sea-blue octopus We loved this T-shirt! June 1, 2019 A Carnival of Games Washington, DC Folks came from all over the area to partake in Labyrinth Games & Puzzles' Annual Tabletop Game Day. Justin from Labyrinth Games & Puzzles serving popcorn and getting ready to hand out prizes. Jim from Semper Smart Games introducing kids to their game, Election Night. Mariah was on-site offering lessons in juggling to anyone willing to give it a try! Catherine from Catlilligames introducing kids to their biology game, Cycles. Oliver with Catlilligames playing Crazy Cats with families attending Tabletop Game Day. May 18, 2019 TJHS Techstravaganza Alexandria, VA Techstravaganza is a free, open to the public hands-on STEM activity fair that attracts thousands of visitors from the DMV area each year. At Techstravaganza, you will find over 50 different labs and demonstrations that cover a wide range of STEM concepts so there is something for everyone! This event is open to children of all ages. However, the labs specifically target elementary and middle school students. May 5, 2019 Literary Hill BookFest Washington, DC The Literary Hill BookFest began as a way of turning the Literary Hill column that Karen Lyon writes for the Hill Rag into a live event. Karen’s column showcases local writers and, after more than a decade of monthly columns, it was clear that Capitol Hill seems to have an almost limitless supply. What if we could bring together some of these authors who live on or write about Capitol Hill to meet their readers, as well as each other? Thus was born the 2011 Literary Hill BookFest. Everybody liked it so much that they encouraged us to do it again, and now we’re gearing up for another year. Also represented at the BookFest are the Hill’s booksellers, libraries, publishers, and other organizations with a focus on books. Our ultimate goal is to make Capitol Hill a respected center for literacy and the humanities in the metropolitan D.C. area. And we’re well on our way. Our first BookFest attracted more than a thousand visitors; last year, an estimated 1,500 people came to Eastern Market to meet our local writers and learn more about literary services in our area. Please join us this year and make it our best BookFest ever! May 4, 2019 National Math Festival Washington, DC April 28, 2019 Rockville Science Day Rockville, MD Thanks to our animal books, we were stationed in the nature room! We were excited to be placed next to these tortoises; one is African Spurred and the other is Red-Footed. President Dia Michels met a Blue-Tongued Skink and Brian Kristal of Reptile Wonders. There were plenty of other amazing vendors at the event! Here are Natan and Zoe with a robot "bug" from Code Sensei. April 27, 2019 Love Our Local Authors Day Alexandria, VA On Saturday, April 27, Science Naturally authors Dia Michels and Eric Yoder were featured at LOLA, hosted by Hooray for Books in Alexandria , Virginia. March 27-30, 2019 ITEEA Annual Conference Kansas City, KS March 22-23, 2019 Clippers SciFest SoCal Los Angeles, CA We had an amazing time at the Clippers SciFest SoCal! We're so glad that the Gardiner family (L) and students from Adams High School (R) enjoyed checking out our Women In Science books. March 20-23, 2019 CABE 2019 Annual Conference Long Beach, CA It was great exhibiting at the Latino Literacy Now! booth run by Edward Becerra alongside Georgette Baker (another Award Winning Author). We also had the pleasure of meeting conference attendee Karolin Rascon and bilingual children's educator, author, and recording artist Jose-Luis Orozco! How cool is this book truck? If you're in San Diego be sure to check out Letras Sin Fronteras ! February 14-16, 2019 AAAS Annual Conference Washington, DC Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth at AAAS Family Science Days! We had a great time investigating how to tell if an egg has been cooked or not without breaking it open, how whales stay warm in freezing water... ...and even dueling with all of you! January 26, 2019 Haymaker STEAM Expo Haymarket, VA We had a blast at this event! Thanks to David Boyd (pictured here with his granddaughter) and the other event organizers. Company president and founder Dia Michels loves getting out and meeting all of you! Here she is (L) showing some Expo attendees one of our newest titles — My First Science Textbook: Electrons . December 13, 2018 John Burroughs ES STEM Expo Washington, DC November 30 - December 2, 2018 CST Annual California Science Education Conference Pasadena, CA What an incredible event! Here's our table all set up with our engaging science and math activities. Science Naturally president and founder Dia Michels was working hard but still found time to be a little slothful... We met so many great people at the event! Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth. These table visitors are demonstrating our Double Dealing activity. November 3, 2018 VA Tech Maker Festival Falls Church, VA We had a blast at the VA Tech Maker Festival this weekend, where we met some some incredible Makers and attendees! We were thrilled to be at the booth next to TGAW and JellyBox 3D. Everything in this picture was 3D printed! These fish were printed in front of us all in one piece with flexible interlocking joints! The blue-footed boobie is now hanging in our offices. After watching kids freak out over virtual reality all day at the SAMSUNG VR booth, we had to check it out ourselves. Here's Victoria exploring a school in Borneo where orphaned Orangutans learn how to climb trees before returning to the wild! Thanks to the Samsung employee who stayed late to show us the VR headsets. Mariah (R) had a great time running our Eggcellent Idea activity with the kids who came to our presentation! Thanks to Christine (L) for organizing the presentations! We were also running science and math activities from our booth. This family is practicing questions from our One Minute Math Mysteries book ! November 3, 2018 GWATFL Fall Conference for World Language Educators Bethesda, MD September 23, 2018 KIDfest Silver Spring, MD Even though the rain forced them inside, Science Naturally salespeople Anay and Mariah had a blast meeting attendees at the festival on Sunday! Martin, Countess, and Amira Simiyu were delighted to see our award-winning One Minute Mysteries books. As a women-owned business, we just had to get a picture of this young customer's shirt! #WomenInSTEM There were so many other incredible exhibitors at KIDfest, including PARO , an advanced interactive robot which provides psychological and social comforts to humans through physical interaction. These therapeutic robots have been in use in Japan and throughout Europe since 2003. It mimics the comforts of a therapy animal in places and contexts where real animals are not welcome, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and around patients with allergies. By interaction with this animatronic and artificially intelligent cuddly creature, people's memories of pet animals or cherished stuffed animals are triggered, helping patients feel amused, relaxed, and motivated. Here, Science Naturally president and founder Dia Michels poses with a PARO representative and a PARO baby harp seal therapeutic robot. July 11-13, 2018 STEM Forum and Expo Philadelphia, PA July 7-10, 2018 UNIDOS Annual Conference Washington, DC "We are so excited to be a Latino Literacy Now award winner! It is very important to us that our content is accessible to both English and Spanish speaking students. This recognition will help spread the word about the quality STEM books that are available for the Latinx community!" -Dia Michels, Science Naturally founder and president We had an incredible time at the 2018 UNIDOS US National Latino Family Expo at the Latino Literacy Now booth. Dora explores Cuddled and Carried / Consentido y cargado On Saturday Dia worked the Latino Literacy Now table with Randy Jurado, author of In The Struggle , and Diana Santamaria, author of the DLee's World series . Big thanks to Kirk Whistler (right), cofounder of Latino Literacy Now. On Sunday, Dia worked the Latino Literacy Now table with Randy Jurado and Fey Berman, author of the Mexamerica . We also had the pleasure of meeting Jose Sueiro, the executive director of the National Association of Hispanic Publications . June 12, 2018 Capitol Hill Maker Faire Washington, DC May 6, 2018 Literary Hill BookFest Washington, DC The Savor family took the Science in a Minute book set home from the festival with them. Don't worry! According to his mom, this frowning nine year-old actually does like books—he just hates posing for pictures! April 5-7, 2018 USA Science & Engineering Festival and Expo Washington, DC The Science Naturally team shows off our Math and Science books to convention-goers. Our corner booth had a great view of the US Postal Service area and the Einstein Stage! Company founder and president Dia Michels poses with one happy customer at the booth.

Scientific curiosity begins in childhood. Exposure to animals and their environments—whether in nature or in a book—is often at the root of a child’s interest in science. Young Jane Goodall loved to observe the wildlife near her home, a passion that inspired her groundbreaking chimpanzee research. Beginnings Collection A collaboration between Science Naturally and Platypus Media to inspire conversations about nature, science, and families. Scientific curiosity begins in childhood. Exposure to animals and their environments—whether in nature or in a book— is often at the root of a child’s interest in science. Young Jane Goodall loved to observe the wildlife near her home, a passion that inspired her groundbreaking chimpanzee research. Charles Turner, pioneering entomologist, spent hours reading about ants and other insects in the pages of his father’s books. Rachel Carson began writing stories about squirrels when she was eight. Spark curiosity in a child and watch them develop a lifelong enthusiasm for learning. These stunningly illustrated, information-packed titles introduce youngsters to the wonderful world of animals, and, by extension, to themselves. They encourage children to make real-world connections that sharpen their analytical skills and give them a head start in STEM. Reading these titles together inspires children to think about how each species matures, what they need to survive, and what their communities look like—whether pride, flock, or family. More than a simple scientific introduction, these animal stories are an instance and an analogy of caring love. Showing children attachment in the natural world fosters empathy, kindness, and compassion in both their interpersonal and interspecies interactions. An easy choice for the home, library, or classroom, our Beginnings collection has something to spark or sustain budding curiosity in any child. Titles in the Collection include: ages 0-4 | grades preK - 1 English Book Teacher's Guide Bilingual English/Spanish Book English/Haitian Creole Book ages 4-7 | grades preK - 2 English Book Bilingual English/Spanish Book ages 7-10 | grades 2 - 5 English Book Teacher's Guide Teacher's Guide ages 8-12 | grades 4-6 English Book Spanish Book English Teacher's Guide Spanish Teacher's Guide Our commitment to Spanish and bilingual STEM education: We are pleased to offer all of our Beginnings books in Spanish or bilingual (English/Spanish) editions. Librarian Amy Koester writes : Students for whom English is not a native language may struggle with a communication barrier in their interactions with STEM content. When instruction and activities are offered exclusively in oral or written English, nonnative speakers are at risk of losing motivation in STEM areas as their language capacities impact their ability to adequately demonstrate their STEM content knowledge; how frustrating to know the concepts being taught but not be able to express that knowledge. Difficulty speaking English should not be confused with an inability to think scientifically, and instructors with students who are English-language learners must adapt their approaches to teaching STEM content so that all students may not only learn but also demonstrate their learning. We know that there's a scarcity of adequate Spanish-language STEM resources. This is an extreme disservice to Spanish-speaking students and those from mixed-language families. To address this issue, we have committed to producing all of our books in Spanish or bilingual editions.

Publish Your STEM Book with Science Naturally | Submission Guidelines for Authors | Explore How to Share Your Insights and Contribute to Our World of STEM Literature | Learn Author Requirements and Start Publishing Today! Author & Illustrator Submissions Thank you for your interest in Science, Naturally! While we publish a select number of titles each year, we are always eager to discover manuscripts that reflect our core values. We seek books that nurture young minds through education, positive imagery, and inspiring role models—blending learning with entertainment while thoughtfully connecting to the world of STEM. Above all, our goal is to make science accessible, engaging, and unintimidating for young readers. Authors Manuscript Submissions Form Illustrators If you would like to submit your portfolio to us, please use the following form: If you are submitting a manuscript, please fill out this form: Portfolio Submissions Form Please be aware that we are a small company and response times may vary from a few weeks to a few months. If you have any inquiries or require further information, do not hesitate tocontact us at Info@ScienceNaturally.com. Thank you for considering Science, Naturally! as the platform for your creative endeavors. Note: We do not accept physical submissions. The SN Team

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