Ever have a 10 year old girl tell you science is for boys? In this conversation, Dr. Diane and author Shelli R. Johannes (Cece Loves Science series; Penny the Engineering Tail of the Fourth Little Pig; Theo Thesaurus) explore the importance of encouraging a love of science for everyone, as well as strategies for connecting science, books, and hands-on activities. Full show notes.

[00:46] Before Cece Loves Science, Shelli was writing young adult thrillers. She tells the story about how her 10 year old daughter, who had always loved science, suddenly came home and said the dreaded line "science is for boys."  To support the premise science is for EVERYONE, Shelli and Kimberly Derting  created the ...Loves Science series. Ceceloves biology and zoology, Libby loves chemistry, and Vivi loves marine biology and oceanography.

[03:48]  Cece Loves Science, I Can Read books offer cross-over appeal for transitional readers. We discuss the impact editor Victoria Duncan and  illustrators Vashti Harrison and  Joelle Murrayhave had on the series. 

[06:59] Shelli discusses ways the Loves Science books include solid vocabulary, experiments to try at home, and connections to the national science standards. 

[08:03]  Shelli shares strategies for selling the concept of science to kids from kindergarten to middle school.

[09:30] We explore Shelli's adventures in learning, including her first book in fourth grade about a cookie who discovered nutrition.

[13:53] Earthworms, Frogs, and Baby Squirrels -- Shelli's Early Science Encounters

[16:29] Engineering Pigs, STEM, and Princesses Who Can Solve Their Own Problems
What prompted Shelli and Kim  to write Penny. The Engineering Tail of the Fourth Pig, and how do we go beyond ever after to infuse science into what happens next?

[20:49] Dinosaurs In Love With Long Words -  the real life inspiration for  Theo Thesaurusand Theo Thesaurus and the Perfect Pet. 

[22:48] Building Connections Between STEM and Imagination for Critical Thinking

[24:15]Shelli's STEM-spirations -- Picture Books that Inspire Her

• Andrea Beaty, Ada Twist & Rosie Revere
•  Sue Fliess, Mary Had a Little Lab 
• Josh Funk , How to Code a Sandcastle
• Tara Lazar,  7 Ate 9

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