Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learning

It's Not Nothing to have written a book that grabs you on the very first page and makes you not want to put it down. It's Not Nothing to have written a book where you've got this gorgeous intergenerational relationship that makes you laugh and makes you cry. It's Not Nothing to have written a book that is unafraid to tackle some of the most critical issues of today. It's N...

A play-based diet? Yes, please! Join us as we explore the transformative power of play with Dr. Amanda Gummer, the UK's leading expert in the field. Dr. Amanda shares her journey from a playful upbringing to becoming an advocate for children's development through such innovative concepts as the Good Play Guide and the Balanced Play Diet . Learn about the balanced play pyramid and how dif...

Join us on this episode of the Adventures in Learning podcast as we welcome Tiffany Ortiz, the Director of Early Childhood at Carnegie Hall, to discuss the Lullaby Project. This innovative program pairs families and caregivers with musicians to create personalized lullabies for their children, fostering deep bonds and easing parental stress. Tiffany shares the origins of the project, which began i...

Step into a world where grocery stores, doctor’s offices, and agricultural exhibits open the door to playful learning for young minds. Discover the thought process behind these interactive spaces at the Lewisburg Children's Museum , and explore the exciting collaborations with local universities and organizations like the NISE Network that make them possible. Join us as we chat with Mary Beth...

Baa-hoy, Matey! What if sheep could be pirates? Join us on a woolly adventure as we chat with the talented Ashley Belote about her baalarious new picture book, Sheepwrecked . Ashley takes us through her creative journey, sharing stories from her upbringing on a sheep farm in West Virginia that inspired the tale of pirate sheep. Listen to an excerpt and get an insider's look at how she masterf...

Episode Summary: Can fostering curiosity really transform how we learn? Join us as we sit down with Chris McEachron, the Manager of Visitor Engagement at the Kentucky Science Center. We delve into the transformative power of playful learning as Chris takes us on his personal journey from outdoor education for adults to fostering creativity and teamwork in children at the Kentucky Science Center. C...

Ever wondered how children's literature can break barriers and inspire resilience? Join me as we welcome back the extraordinary Vanessa Brantley-Newton to the Adventures in Learning podcast. Vanessa shares the heartfelt inspiration behind her latest picture book, Shake it Off, which draws from a gospel song that taught her the importance of resilience. Vanessa's insights on the lasting i...

Did you know that the Apollo 11 astronauts left a small disc on the moon filled with goodwill messages from around the globe?  Imagine attending a symposium and leaving inspired to write a children’s picture book! That’s exactly what happened to Dr. Jill Friestad-Tate, a business professor and nonprofit founder, who turned her fascination with the Apollo moon landing into a captivating picture boo...

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to witness a natural spectacle that only happens once every 17 years? From midnight adventures in Chicago's Centennial Park to loud walks through Ryerson Forest Preserve, join Lynn and Elena Coles and me as we dig deeper into the heart of the Cicada Convergence. Get to know the Brood XIII magicicadas and join us as we try to find all three species by...

Can play truly transform the way we learn? Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Dr. Tyana Velasquez-Smith, the visionary CEO of Sensational Inclusions .  Dr. Tyana shares her five non-negotiables for education and argues that play is not just a pastime but a human right essential for our emotional and psychological well-being. Learn how Sensational Inclusions is revolutionizing emergent li...

What if thoughtfully transforming museum spaces could ignite a lifelong passion for learning? Join us as Bryan Wunar, President and CEO of Discovery World, shares his unexpected journey from pre-med student to museum powerhouse. Bryan's story is one of serendipity and passion, ignited by a chance opportunity to teach Newton's laws. Drawing on his past roles at the Museum of Science and I...

Could you imagine finding joy in both graphic design and traditional art? On this episode of Adventures in Learning, we chat with the multi-talented Janae Matthews . From her earliest memories of coloring and drawing to choosing graphic design as her college major, Janae shares the unique blend of artistry and communication that fuels her creative passions. We uncover the pivotal role of typograph...

Math+Literacy = A Winning STEAM Combo Discover how to blend math and literacy into the joy of everyday play and learning. Dr. Kateri Thunder shares her incredible strategies for sparking children's innate mathematical curiosity through storytelling, play, and intentional language. From the pages of The Very Hungry Caterpillar to the adventures of Jabari Jumps, learn how you can turn any story...

Welcome to another episode of the Adventures in Learning podcast! I fell in love with Megan Benedict's work at a conference this spring, when she captivated an audience of teachers armed with only a typewriter and her imagination.  I was excited to discover that she also writes nonfiction picture books, effectively blending poetry and science in a way that is entertaining and illuminating. I...

Have you ever wondered how a tale of gorillas can touch upon the deepest themes of our human experience? Newbery Award-winning author Katherine Applegate joins us to unwrap the layers of  The One and Only Family , her latest book that sees the beloved Ivan navigating the unpredictable waters of fatherhood. As Ivan's story unfolds with the birth of twins, we delve into the heart of freedom, th...

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 robus...

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 a...

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...

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 journ...

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...

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 l...

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,...

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 cap...

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...

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 UN...