Book Festivals

Do YOU have what it takes to be a HUMAN Crash-test Dummy?

Grades 1-8, 50 min, serves up to 150 students
Based on my award-winning Save the Crash-test Dummies book, this program introduces students to STEM, specifically engineering principles and history as they learn about the ways in which cars are made safer. STEM/STEAM tie-ins to history, engineering, as well as ELA as we talk about how best to present this information to others. Very interactive and TONS of fun!

Get Outside and Get Inventing!

Grades 2-8 45-50 minutes, serves up to 150+ students

Sticky feet that climb anything. Trunk-like robotic arms. Super-sensitive hearing. What is this? Some kind of new superhero? No! These are all examples of REAL technology made with bionics/biomimicry. In this FUN and interactive presentation by children’s science author Jennifer Swanson, you will get an inside look at many awesome inventions being created by engineers right now! All of these are based on animals, some of which might live right in your own backyard. Then it’ll be YOUR turn! You’ll get instructions on how to go outside, find an animal, observe it, and draw your own bionic invention. What will YOU design?

Astronaut or Aquanaut?

Grades 2-5, 50 min, serves up to 150 students
Why do we explore? And which is better, space or under the sea? Let’s debate. With interactive questions and lots of pictures, students will compare and contrast the benefits of each extreme environment. Then we’ll put that knowledge to the test with a debate! This exciting program will spark their imagination to have them soaring into space or diving deep into the ocean of exploration and writing.