Virtual presentations for schools and libraries:
Get to Know Kira Bailey!
For younger audiences: Learn about American Girl's Girl of the Year 2021 - Kira Bailey! We'll head to Australia and learn about its many habitats and unique animals. We'll talk about biodiversity and why it's so important for a healthy planet. I'll share my experience taking care of koalas and wombats and kangaroos during my visit to an Australian wildlife sanctuary and we'll brainstorm ways we can keep habitats safe. K-2, 3-5
For upper grades: Learn about the science behind American Girl's Kira Bailey, an aspiring animal conservationist. I'll share how current events and my research trip to Australia were crucial in writing Kira's story. We'll talk about the devastating bushfires of 2019/2020 and how we can prevent environmental disasters in the future. We'll discuss how students can take an active role in conservation and make a real difference to our planet. Grades 3-5, middle school
The Truth about Being an Author:
It’s awesome! We’ll talk about what it looks like to be an author and how a book is made. We’ll also talk about how hard work and perseverance can make a dream into reality and how important it is for kids to dream big!
Grades: K-2, 3-5, middle school
Relying on Research:
Research is a crucial part of being a scientist and working in the lab, and it’s also a crucial part of writing a book! We’ll talk about the extensive research that goes into writing a book and how it can shape a story. I'll share how writing has brought me on many adventures including going to Space Camp and diving into an underwater astronaut trainer to write Luciana, working as a ranger in an Australian wildlife park, and encountering several surprises while visiting The Great Dismal Swamp to write Survivor Girl.
Grades: 3-5, middle school
Finding My Focus: How I Write a Book in a Month
We’ll explore practical tips and exercises that writers do to find their focus and meet deadlines. We’ll share and discuss productivity roadblocks and brainstorm solutions, including how to shut down negative self-talk.
** Great for writing clubs and NaNoWriMo groups!
Grades: middle school, high school
Virtual Science fun:
Microscopic Mysteries:
Microscopes are one of the oldest tools used in science. We’ll learn how taking a closer look at something can solve mysteries and lead to new discoveries. We'll explore everyday things with a digital microscope, making predictions and asking questions. An interactive demonstration full of exploration and investigation!
Grades K-5
Dive in!
Did you know astronauts spend hours and hours training underwater before going into space? I'll share my own experiences diving in an underwater astronaut training pool to research for Luciana, Braving the Deep. We'll learn more about how astronauts train in the Neutral Buoyancy Lab pool in Houston, TX and deep in the ocean. We'll end our time together with an experiment to learn more about buoyancy with the help of a lego astronaut!
Grades K-5
Fees:
Schools and public libraries: 1-2, 1hr live/interactive virtual visit presentation: $250
** with some parameters, presentation can be recorded to share with students within the school
20 min Q&A FREE!