Send us a text Have you ever wondered how the seeds of global citizenship are planted in the minds of our youngest learners? Kennesaw State University professors Dr. Raynice Jean-Ségur and Dr. Douglas Bell join us for an enlightening discussion on the intricate tapestry of early childhood education. They guide us through the conception of global awareness in children, from infancy to kindergarten, with six robust frameworks at the core. Together, we unpack the critical role educators play in wea...
May 01, 2024•47 min•Ep. 82
Send us a text Happy Earth Day! This week we ascend a very windy Grandfather Mountain in Linville, NC. At the top of the mountain, we meet a dedicated team of informal educators whose passion for STEM and STEAM shines as brightly as the natural beauty around them. Listen in as they share their unique methods of sparking curiosity and fostering a sense of environmental stewardship among school-aged children and adults. From outreach programs to interpretive park guides to zoo educators, discover ...
Apr 24, 2024•24 min•Ep. 81
Send us a text Science, history, and gastronomy are on the menu this week! Building on our cicada episode with the buzz-worthy Dr. Gene Kritsky , co-hosts Dr. Diane and Lynn Wareh Coles unlock the secrets of the cicada convergence with a swarm of guests. First up, Sue Fliess , author of the beautiful picture book Cicada Symphony . Sue's passion for cicadas, ignited during quiet pandemic strolls, led to a treasure trove of surprising facts. Discover how these insects protect their hearing while c...
Apr 10, 2024•46 min•Ep. 80
Send us a text The Cicadas Are Coming!!! It's a once-in-our-lifetime opportunity to observe and take part in citizen science with your class. Not since Thomas Jefferson was President have broods XIX and XIII emerged together! It won't happen again until 2245. And we have you covered with everything you need to share this magic with your students and friends. Join us as we embark on an enthralling journey through the remarkable world of cicadas with the Indiana Jones of the insect world, Dr. Gene...
Apr 10, 2024•40 min•Ep. 79
Send us a text From computer scientist to a storyteller weaving children's tales, Sahtinay Abaza 's path has been anything but ordinary. Sahtinay’s picture books, The Ramadan Drummer and Looking for the Eid Moon , serve as a magical gateway to understanding Muslim holidays, while simultaneously fostering universal values such as kindness and empathy. Her global perspective highlights how storytelling transcends borders, and her readings from her works offer a glimpse into the richness of diverse...
Apr 03, 2024•13 min•Ep. 78
Send us a text Join us as we welcome back the remarkable Alicia D. Williams , who shares the journey of crafting her new book Mid-Air , a narrative that delves into the nuanced world of black boyhood and sensitivity. Listen in as we discuss the powerful character of Isaiah, a young boy whose tenderness and unique interests challenge the typical notions of masculinity. With Isaiah's story, Alicia brings to light themes of innocence, grief, and identity that are often overlooked in society's portr...
Mar 28, 2024•33 min•Ep. 77
Send us a text Ismée Williams is the award-winning author of the young adult novels Water in May and This Train Is Being Held , which won an International Latino Book Award for Best Young Adult Romance, and a coeditor of the anthology Boundless: Twenty Voices Celebrating Multicultural and Multiracial Identities. Her debut picture book, Abuelo, the Sea, and Me , is available for pre-order now. Coming in May 2024, Abuelo, the Sea, and Me is a tender, heartwarming picture book that vividly explores...
Mar 21, 2024•21 min•Ep. 76
Send us a text Not only is she STEAMsational, she's the force behind Sonsational Creations! Explore the intersection of creativity and STEM with Sonja Howard ! Learn about the journey of this autistic young artist into a world of crafting fantastical creatures. I first met Sonja in the studios of Wētā Workshop in New Zealand, where she was painstakingly crafting a new hatch of Floofs! I was immediately captivated by her "villain origin story" and knew I had to share her magic with you. Join us o...
Mar 14, 2024•18 min•Ep. 75
Send us a text Feel the enchantment of Australia's wild birds in our new podcast episode! Zookeepers Jessica Ratcliff and Megan Whittard help us soar with their feathered friends as we learn about the work of Healesville Sanctuary and its awe-inspiring Spirits of the Sky. Jessica and Meg share personal stories about favorite childhood animals (not necessarily the birds they work with now) and how their love of animals led to careers in zoology. Interested in working with animals? Discover the ST...
Mar 07, 2024•27 min•Ep. 74
Send us a text This week, join me on a journey where the classroom canopy reaches the sky, and every leaf turns the page to a new lesson and experience. On this week's Adventures in Learning Podcast, we meet some of the creative minds behind North Carolina's successful Schools in Parks program. Join Randy Bechtel and Mary Meyer of North Carolina State Parks, and Sarah Yelton and Taylor Prichard from UNC Institute for the Environment, as we uncover the magic that happens when third through fifth ...
Feb 29, 2024•58 min•Ep. 73
Send us a text In today's society, childhood anxiety is increasingly visible, as more young people and their families find themselves grappling with these silent battles. On this week's episode of the Adventures in Learning podcast, award-winning author Hena Khan discusses her latest book, Drawing Deena . In Drawing Deena , Hena addresses the subtle onset of anxiety that is often overlooked by adults. We talk about the necessity of proper support systems within schools and how cultural stigmas c...
Feb 22, 2024•32 min•Ep. 72
Send us a text Explore the integration of storytelling and STEM with Jason M. Burns . His comics aren't just for fun—they're gateways to learning and discovery! In a world where education is constantly evolving, graphic novels have emerged as a potent tool for teaching complex concepts in an engaging way. Jason M. Burns, an innovator in the educational comic book industry, is at the forefront of this transformation. Throughout his career, Jason has seen graphic novels evolve from being considere...
Feb 15, 2024•27 min•Ep. 71
Send us a text How can educators embrace their crucial role in shaping lives and communities? Meet motivational speaker, author, and educational leader Dr. Kimberly P. Johnson , whose life work illuminates the transformative power of teaching. I have known Dr. Kimberly for nearly 25 years, since we first met at a children's literature conference, where she inscribed a copy of her early book, The Adventures of the Itty Bitty Bunny , for my daughter. Since that time, I have followed her career wit...
Feb 08, 2024•46 min•Ep. 70
Send us a text Have you ever wondered how a childhood filled with reading struggles could blossom into a career of crafting captivating stories for middle-grade readers? James Ponti , the creative force behind the City Spies series, takes us on an exhilarating journey from his days as a fledgling reader to becoming a literary hero for the younger generation. His tale is a testament to the life-changing magic that dedicated teachers can weave, showing us that with a bit of encouragement and a lot...
Feb 02, 2024•38 min•Ep. 69
Send us a text Prepare to be dazzled as we unlock the secrets of New Zealand's glowworms with the help of our enthusiastic guides, Ruben and Xavier from Ruakuri Cave Tour and Black Water Rafting Company. Imagine creatures that light up the dark with their own living lanterns, dangling mucus fishing lines to ensnare their prey. We'll track these glowing beings from their twinkling larval stage through to their ephemeral adult phase where they exist solely to continue their lineage. Step into the ...
Jan 18, 2024•23 min•Ep. 68
Send us a text Embark on an enlightening voyage through the expressive world of educational performance art with the incredible mime and teaching artist, Jef Lambdin . His captivating tale begins in a mime troupe and unfolds into a nationwide journey, blending his artistry with academic learning standards. As Jef regales us with experiences from his Lincoln Center training, we discover the transformative power of starting with art (the A in STEAM education) to foster deep educational experiences...
Jan 12, 2024•43 min•Ep. 67
Send us a text Does the world have you baffled? Looking to spark your curiosity and make sense of what's going on? Join Dr. Diane for a very special year-end edition of the Adventures in Learning podcast with award-winning producer and writer Aisha Turner . Aisha is a producer and writer from the Baltimore area. She is currently the Executive Producer on the NBC News/MSNBC podcast Into America . Previously, Aisha was a producer with StoryCorps. She was also the first Race and Ethnicity Reporter ...
Dec 27, 2023•33 min•Ep. 65
Send us a text Do you remember your favorite book as a child? If you do, there's probably a good reason for that. Must have left an impression on you. Something about it was impactful. Maybe it taught you something you didn't know before, or you were able to see yourself in the main character's shoes. Whatever the reason, children's stories are important in this episode, we're talking about taking those stories and adapting them to a new medium and even a new audience. This fall, I co-taught a F...
Dec 20, 2023•35 min•Ep. 64
Send us a text Join Dr. Diane on the Adventures in Learning podcast as she delves into the extraordinary world of STEAMing Into Iceland with early childhood and elementary education STEAM specialist Katherine Mohr! 🌋🇮🇸 Immerse yourself in the magic of early childhood education, where curiosity meets creativity! From inside the volcano to the mesmerizing landscapes of Iceland, Katherine shares practical ideas about how she took her travel experiences to create in-depth and engaging STEAM cente...
Dec 13, 2023•42 min•Ep. 63
Send us a text This podcast episode explores Beth Ferry 's love for words and the impact of her picture books on empathy, friendship, and environmental awareness. 00:43: Guest Introduction Dr. Diane welcomes Beth Ferry , an acclaimed author known for books like Stick and Stone , Christmassy Cactus , and the upcoming Solar Bear 00:46: The Power of Words Beth shares her favorite words, "anticipation" and "vehement," and discusses the joy of mastering and using impactful words. Dr. Diane emphasizes...
Dec 06, 2023•33 min•Ep. 62
Send us a text Dive into the latest Adventures in Learning podcast with Dr. Diane and special guest Skyler Fountain! SUNY New Paltz junior Skyler takes the mic and leads a conversation where we explore what it means to engage the community in learning beyond the classroom, the impacts and opportunities of teaching in a post-COVID world, and the future of education. And Dr. Diane turns the tables as we explore Skyler's journey from a fierce preschooler to an inspiring future educator. Tune in now...
Nov 29, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 61
Send us a text 🎉 Join Dr. Diane on the Adventures in Learning Podcast, where wonder, curiosity, and connection guide our exploration of the world. In today's episode, we meet picture book author June Smalls , whose latest release, They Lead: The Wolf Pack , is captivating readers of all ages. From the depths of the animal kingdom to the joyous play of wildlife, June Smalls shares the inspiration behind her stories, packed with social-emotional learning, animal adaptations, and beautiful illustr...
Nov 22, 2023•25 min•Ep. 60
Send us a text On this week's episode of the Adventures in Learning podcast, we meet Caldecott Medalist Jason Chin , whose books include Grand Canyon , Your Place in the Universe , The Universe in You , and Watercress . Join us for a conversation that explores the importance of story and connection in nonfiction books, as well as the ways educators can build real STEAM connections and experiences with them. Plus learn some really interesting facts about whale falls and hurricanes (hint -- you ma...
Nov 08, 2023•50 min•Ep. 59
Send us a text It's NONFICTION NOVEMBER! Join us for an Antarctic adventure with the Penguin Guy, Guillaume de Remacle! Dive into a world of penguins, breathtaking landscapes, and the secrets of the Southernmost Post Office. Discover the beauties and challenges of Antarctica, the incredible world of these fascinating birds, and how we can all become Antarctic ambassadors. 🐧❄️ #AdventuresInLearningPodcast [00:41] Dr. Diane introduces her guest, Guillaume (Gui), the "penguin guy." [00:53] Gui's b...
Nov 01, 2023•43 min•Ep. 58
Send us a text Get ready for an artistic adventure with Abigail Gómez, the force behind Arte Libre VA! Explore the fusion of STEM and the arts, discover the magic of children's books that celebrate culture, and learn how public art is shaping communities. A dynamic professor at Shenandoah University and the visionary executive director of Arte Libre VA, Abi shares her remarkable journey into teaching and her unwavering passion for the arts, emphasizing the power of creativity in higher education...
Oct 25, 2023•32 min•Ep. 57
Send us a text What does it take to encourage young women and people of color to enter polar careers? On this episode of the Adventures in Learning Podcast, we meet Kimberly Aiken, a PhD student at the University of Tasmania, Australia, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies. Kimberly is currently undertaking a research project focused on building more diverse, equitable, and inclusive extreme and remote workforce environments. She has contributed to several outreach and advocacy platforms a...
Oct 18, 2023•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 56
Send us a text On this spooktacular episode, we meet the very talented author/ illustrator Ashley Belote , whose STEMsational books include the brand new Witch and Wombat , Frankenslime , Valenslime , Listen Up, Louella , and Don't Wash Winston (available for pre-order now). We talk about the importance of read-alouds, of the joy of illustrations that leave you searching for clues and hidden gems, and how to create STEM/STEAM connections for all ages. [01:10] Ashley's Background and Adventures i...
Oct 11, 2023•36 min•Ep. 55
Send us a text This week on the Adventures in Learning podcast, we celebrate the book birthday of Nesting Dolls and the real-life birthday of its author/illustrator Vanessa Brantley Newton . Join us for an exuberant episode that touches on everything from dyslexia to embracing your inner five year old. We talk about the importance of books as windows and mirrors, manifesting your dreams, and creating space to connect with others. And Vanessa's story of how she overcame challenges to become the b...
Oct 04, 2023•53 min•Ep. 54
Send us a text Are you looking for shivers this spooky season? Today. Encanto meets Coraline in Finch House , a delightfully thrilling middle grade novel by Ciera Burch . I read Finch House in a day, and I thought it was incredibly spooky, as well as warm and wonderful, and I highly recommend you run out and grab it. Finch House is a gloriously creepy read (but not TOO creepy) with strong characters and an ending that will haunt you -- a perfect read aloud as we head into October. Ciera Burch is...
Sep 27, 2023•26 min•Ep. 53
Send us a text Meet Ann Braden , a modern day Judy Blume, who has written the most wonderful, sensitive middle grade books about that time in your life when you're struggling between being a child and being an adult. Today we explore the inspiration behind The Benefits of Being an Octopus , Flight of the Puffin , and her latest book, Opinions and Opossums . Join us for a conversation that explores the challenges and joys of writing about real issues for this young audience and the importance of ...
Sep 20, 2023•46 min•Ep. 52
