Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learning

Meet Wincey Terry-Bryant, an incredible, knock your socks off edutainer who knows how to connect history, STEM, cultural, and the performing arts in a way that engages early childhood and elementary audiences. She's the CEO of  WinceyCo ,  and an international artist who has performed with Sting and Tina Turner and guested on Sesame Street In 1988, Wincey combined her love for music, educatio...

Could this be the first podcast broadcast from inside a volcano's magma chamber? As Iceland braces itself for another potential eruption, join us for a special episode of the Adventures in Learning podcast. In this episode, we go Inside the Volcano with co-founder Ólafur Þór Júlíusson and Science of Iceland host Steve Spangler. Join us to learn about the Three Peaks Crater, as well as the dif...

  Corinna Luyken joins us to share her journey and the story behind her latest book, ABC and You and Me . This delightful picture book celebrates movement, creativity, and the power of imagination.  We  delve into the inspiration and collaborative process behind, Patchwork , written by Matt de la Pena and illustrated by Corinna. We also touch upon the influence of mindfulness in Corinna's wor...

Welcome to Adventures in Learning, where curiosity and connection lead to exciting discoveries. In this episode, we delve into the world of STEM picture books with the acclaimed author Sue Fliess . With a passion for combining science, technology, engineering, and math with captivating storytelling, Sue has captured the hearts of young readers and educators alike. Sue is the author of more than 50...

What is an edutainer? How do we use entertainment to inspire STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education for and with young students? In this episode of the Adventures in Learning podcast, we talk with  DLR Foundation executive directo r Shaakira Hardy.   Shaakira has worked in roles such as science training, program and curriculum development, district-wide science coordina...

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Miranda  Schnoor works for NAMI, the National Alliance of Mental Illness. As NAMI Virginia ’s Educational Support & HelpLine Coordinator, Miranda oversees the HelpLine, developing and leading a number of NAMI’s programs, and working directly with volunteers. In this conversation, we share resources and picture books that may help caregivers, families, and...

If we want to be the change in the world as the adult, first we have to look at ourselves and say, this is something we value, and then tell our children that we value that because we want every child to be seen, heard, and valued. We want every family to be seen, heard and valued.  In this episode of the Adventures in Learning podcast, Dr. Diane chats with Alyssa Dituro, executive director of the...

"W hen I think about what experiences I want guests on the expedition to bring back with them, it's this sense of connectedness with our planet." -- Phil Hunter When I traveled to Antarctica on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with my father and sister last December, we were fortunate enough to have Phil Hunter as our expedition guide. Phil has been guiding travelers around the world’...

What do bicycles, Bruce Lee, the Dalai Lama, and the woman who helped unlock the secrets of the atom have in common? They are all products of the creative work of author Teresa Robeson . Teresa Robeson is the APALA Picture Book Award-winning author of Queen of Physics (also ILA Nonfiction PB Honor and NCTE Orbis Pictus Nonfiction Recommended Book). Other publications include Two Bicycles in Beijin...

Today's guest is  Deborah Freedman , author/illustrator of  such beloved children's books as Carl and The Meaning of Life . Tiny Dino , Shy , Is Was , and the soon to be published Welcome to the Wonder House . Educators, librarians, and families will love the resources on her website to accompany her books, which includes many teaching ideas, connected experiences and activities, and sug...

In today's episode, we meet a power couple who really know how to connect STEM experiences and picture books for powerful 21st century learning. Kahla DeSmit is the executive director of the Lewisburg Children's Museum and Raymond DeSmit is the Summit Early Learning site coordinator and maker space director.  I met both of them at a Steve Spangler workshop last year where we were putting...

How often in life do you get to meet a real life superhero? Strap in for a fun ride with Captain Antarctica , aka Sean McBride. A former member of Australia's Special Forces, he's studied anthropology, taught survival skills, organized rescues, created a character and blog dedicated to educating about Antarctica, and became a Buddhist Zen monk. Marvel, if you're listening, his juicy...

In today's podcast episode, we visit with parenting expert, coach, blogger, and podcast host of Parenting in the First Three Years , Ann McKitrick. Ann is an early childhood specialist. She has done training and coaching for schools. She also coaches new parents and caregivers, and her podcast is a delight. If you haven't started following it, please head over to nurturednoggins.com and...

Soar today with our  guest Alison Green Myers , whose first book for middle grade readers, A Bird Will Soar , received the American Library Association's 2022 Schneider Family Book Award and the Pennsylvania State Library Association's 2022 Carolyn W. Field Award . Alison is the program director for the Highlights Foundation , a national writing fellow, and an active member of the Societ...

On this episode of the Adventures in Learning podcast, we chat with award-winning actor, entrepreneur, educator,  radio host, and long-time friend Denise Summerford. Join us for a lively conversation that explores the impact the arts can have on preparing students for a wide range of career options, the importance of improv and being comfortable with pivoting for teachers and actors, and what it t...

In this episode of the Adventures in Learning podcast, we meet joyful world traveler Georgina "Gigi" Satchell. I met Gigi on deck as we both drank in our first views of the Antarctic Peninsula. Join us as we share our love and passion for Antarctica (it took Gigi two attempts at crossing the Drake Passage to make it to the Continent), discuss lessons we've brought home to our daily...

On today's Adventure in Learning podcast, we meet Gaby Pilson, a guide and outdoor educator with a passion for introducing people to the world’s most beautiful and unique places. Gaby is also a founder and board secretary of Ocean Youth Academy , a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a sustainable model of education that connects youth with the ocean and the wonders of our nat...

What brings joy to award-winning author Alicia D. Williams ? Bubble baths, her daughter's smile, and authentic connections, for starters. Alicia D Williams just won the Coretta Scott King Author Honor award for her poignant and thought provoking picture book, The Talk . . She is the author of Genesis Begins Again , which received the Newbery and Kirkus Prize honors, was a William C. Morris pr...

Why is science so important in our lives? And how can we do a better job of preparing young children to love science and to embrace the wide range of STEM careers available to them? We discuss all this and more with Holden Thorp, Editor-In-Chief of the Science family of journals. I've known Holden since we were kids growing up in Fayetteville, NC, and he was one of my first role models for so...

Hippos named Fiona, whether robots feel afraid, stories as gateways for building empathy and compassion, broadening what is perceived as diverse literature, and creatively avoiding silos. We talk about all of that and more with Newbery Honor winner Jasmine Warga on today's episode of the Adventures in Learning podcast. Jasmine Warga is The New York Times best selling author of middle grade no...

She loves leopard seals and cormorants even more than penguins -- and she tells an amazing and engaging story. Meet Nicole Flores Jara, an experienced tour guide and travel leader who has been to Antarctica at least eight times. Nicole was born and raised in Chile. Her passion about her country and the region sparked her adventure in learning. She's been leading travel programs since 1998, en...

If you love history and you are fascinated by women in STEM, you definitely want to meet Nina Chhita, the creator of the popular Instagram account  @nina.draws.scientists . If you're not following this account, stop what you are doing and follow it right now, because Nina Chhita is a talented writer. She's also a scientist, and she does these amazing illustrations of the stories you don&...

Learning through play is the hallmark of Millbrook Community Preschool , an innovative preschool program currently celebrating its 16th year in operation. In this discussion, three of the women who founded and led the preschool during the last 16 years share insights into what makes a powerful early childhood education experience. Play, the arts, literacy, and STEM/STEAM are all explored in this c...

Where do we go for hope in dark times? In this special conversation with Bishop Doug Fisher (Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts), we talk climate action, radical empathy, compassion, and baseball. Plus Bishop Doug offers five strategies for hope in the winter darkness. The Right Rev. Dr. Douglas John Fisher is the IX Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts. Bishop Doug was...

Happy New Year, and welcome to Season 2 of the Adventures in Learning podcast. Our very first guest of 2023 is Dr. Mary Payton . You are in for such a treat. We have a STEM pioneer, educator, author, and  All About STEM radio program host on the episode today (and she's a personal hero of mine). [01:16] Let's meet Dr. Mary Payton [03:42]   What was some of the biggest obstacles or challe...