Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learning

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....

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 t...

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...

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 tha...

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 t...

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 o...

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 . Previousl...

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 ab...

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 a...

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...

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 Sk...

🎉 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 he...

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....

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 [...

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 he...

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 wor...

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 t...

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...

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 endi...

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 chal...

Pour yourself a cup of coffee and join me for a chat with rock star Newbery Medalist Katherine Applegate as we celebrate the book birthday of Dogtown , The One and Only Ruby , and Odder . You know her from The One and Only Ivan , but you also know her from so many other books like Crenshaw , Wishtree , and the Animorphs series, now in a new graphic format designed by Chris Grine. [01:14] How We Me...

Meet author/illustrator team Carole Boston Weatherford and Jeffery Boston Weatherford (also mother and son). Carole has authored 70+ books, including award winning Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre ;  Box: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom ;  and All Rise: The Story of Ketanji Brown Jackson. Jeffery's beautiful illustrations can be found in  We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices and ...

She's STEMspirational! Meet youth inventor Lydia Denton. At 15, she's already been honored for many of her inventions, including the Beat the Heat car seat . In this episode we explore strategies for engaging girls in STEM and inventing, as well as secrets to being well-rounded and happy. [00:52] Lydia's Background and Inventions: Lydia shares her journey as an inventor since the se...

Covey Denton is a rock star STEM educator. We met through Steve Spangler, when we were both presenting workshops at Science in the Rockies. Check out her strategies for helping you get your science classroom funded., [01:26] - Covey's Journey Covey explains her diverse career path, starting from biomedical engineering,  and transitioning into teaching through unconventional pathways. [ 04:04]...

Dr. Ronda Taylor Bullock is the co founder and executive director of we are ( working to extend anti-racist education), a nonprofit in North Carolina that provides antiracism training for children, families, and educators. I first met Dr. Ronda at the North Carolina Reading Conference, and she blew me away with the resources and the thoughtfulness she had put behind helping teachers and families r...