STEM Conference in Olympia, Washington Features SOMETHING STINKS!

Over three hundred middle-grade girls each received a copy of Something Stinks! as part of their ‘Swag Bag’ at the Expand Your Horizons Thurston County (WA) STEM Conference. The annual conference has a ‘focus on introducing them to careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math through hands-on workshops….’ As part of the opening ceremonies, I spoke to the entire group on the inspiration for Stinks! as well as themes found in the book. Also, I led a workshop just for parents on the importance of communication skills for their daughters.

This was a great experience, an honor, and fun. As the guest of the EYH group, I flew out, met with the organizers, was treated to a tour of Olympia and a planning session dinner on the waterfront. At the conference, the girls were eager, smart, and attentive. (and funny!) Signing that many books turned into a mini-marathon, but I loved it. It was a great time, and a wonderful way to use this book to deliver the message to a lot of young ladies, that they can make a difference and they can do it with STEM.            More pictures in Photos.

When a Book Inspires Continued STEM Learning

At the request of sixth-grade science teacher, Anna Fidelo, I did an author visit at Windy Ridge Elementary in Orlando, Florida. I spoke to 100 students about Something Stinks!, being an author, and what it takes to write a how to write a science mystery. I was greeted by very enthusiastic fans with lots of great questions.

In addition to their project on water filtration and ecology, the teacher gave the students two challenges in regard to Something Stinks! The first, if the book was made into a movie, what would the movie poster look like? The second was to work with a team, and create a comic based on the book. Here’s one poster and one of the comics. Aren’t they neat? To see more, check out the photos section. This was a really special experience. Thanks, Windy Ridge!

Virginia NSTA Conference Full of Surprises

While at the Area Science Education Conference in Richmond to receive recognition for Something Stinks! making the 2014 National Science Teachers Association/Children’s Book Council’s Outstanding Science Trade Book List, I had the opportunity to sit in on lectures and workshops. I chose one named, “Encouraging Scientific Habits of Mind Through Literacy Instruction.”

Sitting in the audience, I was looking at the handouts and listening to Jillian Wendt, Virginia International University, begin her workshop. Her first order of business was to ask if anyone was familiar with the book she held up for all to see. To my surprise, she held a copy of Something Stinks! Sheepishly, I raised my hand. She pointed to me, and asked, “You’ve read it?” I replied, “Yes, I, um, wrote it.” What followed was an interesting hour of discussion about how Something Stinks! was an excellent example of using science in literature. Dr. Wendt was very gracious, but I can tell you all it was a great boost to this author’s ego to walk into that classroom that day!             To see pictures from the NSTA conference see Photos.

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