Podcasts about stem read

Host Gillian King-Cargile talks to Dr. Andy Norman, author of Mental Immunity, about how bad ideas spread like viruses and how we can inoculate our minds against them.

Aerospace Engineer Mishaal Ashemimry, the first Saudi woman to work for NASA, and children's author Suzanne Slade discuss their love of STEM and all things space.

Author John Green has chronicled love, loss, and mental illness in his award-winning young adult novels like The Fault in Our Stars , Looking for Alaska , and Turtles All the Way Down . He weaves wonderful stories in his novels and his YouTube series’ like Mental Floss , Crash Course , and the Vlogbrothers videos he exchanges with his brother Hank Green . His latest book is The Anthropocene Reviewed , an essay collection rating life itself. STEM Read director Gillian King-Cargile (@gkingcargile) will talk to John Green about his new book, his writing process, and his decision to take a break from fiction. Joining her on the interview is Melanie Koss , associate professor of literacy education at Northern Illinois University’s College of Education. After the interview, Melanie and Gillian will share ideas for using The Anthropocene Reviewed as a springboard for wonder in classrooms, writing and life. The STEM Read podcast is produced in association with WNIJ. Support for the STEM Read

In this episode of the STEM Read Podcast, host Gillian King-Cargile (@gkingcargile) gives you an encore excerpt from one of NIU’s Future Telling Webinars . These free events bring together great minds from the worlds of writing and STEM to explore bleeding-edge research and its impact on our society and our sci-fi. Our guests are author S.L. Huang and physicist Rebecca C. Thompson . S. L. Huang (@sl_huang) is a Hugo-award winning author who justifies her MIT degree by using it to write eccentric mathematical superhero fiction. She is the author of The Cas Russell series of sci-fi thrillers from Tor Books, starting with  Zero Sum Game , as well as the fantasy  Burning Roses . She is also a Hollywood stuntwoman and firearms expert, and the first professional female armorer in the entertainment industry. Rebecca C. Thompson (@mathlete79) is a physicist and author of the popular  Spectra  series of comic books about physics. She is Head of the Office of Education and Public Outreach at

On this episode, host Gillian King-Cargile (@gkingcargile) explores the gene editing tool CRISPR, used to create the breakthrough mRNA vaccines for COVID-19. First, she talks with biographer Walter Isaacson (@WalterIsaacson), author of Leonardo da Vinci and Steve Jobs , about his new book The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race . The book chronicles the discoveries surrounding CRISPR and the brilliant scientists racing toward publications, patents, and prizes. Next, Gillian talks to Mike Jones (@StemNinja), a science teacher at the Thomas Metcalf School in Normal, Illinois. Jones’ 8th grade class just spent six weeks studying everything from CRISPR’s molecular structure to its implications for medical ethics. We’ll also hear from some of his students, who will share their thoughts and insights on how CRISPR could edit humanity’s future. The STEM Read podcast is produced in association with WNIJ. Support for the STEM Read podcast comes from NIU

From clever costumed superheroes to persistent little girls, makers come in all shapes and sizes. Host Gillian King-Cargile (@gkingcargile) will highlight new stories that focus on thinking, tinkering, and making. First, she’ll interview Ruth Spiro (@RuthSpiro), author of Made By Maxine and the Baby Loves Science series, about her latest book Maxine and the Greatest Garden Ever . The book explores the friendship between two very different makers who want to build, grow, and make the world a little more functional and fabulous. Then, she’ll interview Varian Johnson (author of The Parker Inheritance ) (@varianjohnson) and Darian Johnson (@darianbjohnson). They’re twin brothers with backgrounds in structural engineering and technology and they just collaborated on a Batman comic in the new DC book Flash Facts: Ten Terrific Tales about Science and Technology . The comic anthology shares fun adventures with superheroes exploring everything from 3-D printing to the depths of the ocean to

It’s a Halloween Bonus! On this episode of the STEM Read Podcast, we’ll explore America’s deep-seated literary tradition of rationalism as it has played out in more than 150 years of pop culture, from the Dime Novels of the 1870s to Scooby-Doo to the horror novels of today. STEM Read Director Gillian King-Cargile (@gkingcargile) talks with authors and experts who explore, update, and upend our traditions of fake ghosts and meddling kids. Our guests are archivist and Dime Novel Expert Sata Prescott; author of Daphne and Velma: The Dark Deception Morgan Baden (@MorganBaden); and author of Meddling Kids Edgar Cantero (@punkahoy). Gillian is joined on the episode by Melanie Koss (@melaniekoss), associate professor of literacy at NIU’s College of Education. Embrace your inner Velma and geek out with us about the spooky problems science can (and sometimes can’t) solve. Northern Illinois University’s  STEM Read is part of the  NIU STEAM  family of programs that explore science, technology,

In this episode of The STEM Read Podcast, we’re bringing you an excerpt from the Future Telling Webinar series , STEM Read’s collaboration with NIU’s University Libraries. STEM Read Director Gillian King-Cargile (@gkingcargile) talks to experts in history and speculative fiction to hear how pandemics have shaped art and how this turbulent moment in world history is transforming the future of publishing and the genre. Speakers include Valerie Garver (Professor of History, Northern Illinois University), Lynne M. Thomas (Hugo Award Winning Publisher and Editor of Uncanny Magazine ), Mary Robinette Kowal (Award Winning Author of the Lady Astronauts Series, President of the Board of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America), and Maurice Broaddus (Community Activist and Author of Pimp My Airship and The Usual Suspects ). Northern Illinois University’s  STEM Read is part of the  NIU STEAM  family of programs that explore science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math. Find

Some people are complaining that COVID-19 is not the pandemic they signed up for. It was supposed to be Zombies! E ven though we don’t have zombies, many of us have a roadmap for survival because of horror. In this episode, Gillian King-Cargile (@ gkingcargile ) talks with Carolyn C iesla (@ papersquared ) , dean of the Library and Learning Resources and Assessment at Prairie State College and part of Summer Scares, a committee that creates book lists and resources to help libraries connect readers with great horror fiction . They’ll talk about the Summer Scares program, horror as a comfort read, and the benefits of pleasure reading. Then Gillian talks with bestselling horror author Daniel Kraus (@ DanielDKraus ) ( Rotters , The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch , Bent Heavens ) about research, aliens, and his work to complete the late George Romero’s epic zombie novel The Living Dead . Summer really is a scream with the STEM Read Podcast. We’re also proud to announce the full lineup of

On May 30, 2020, The United States launched a manned spacecraft into low-earth orbit for the first time in nine years. SpaceX is now the first private company to launch NASA astronauts into space from US soil. The astronauts are heading to the International Space Station. And how did this happen? With a whole lot of math. As we celebrate this historic flight that could be the next step in human exploration of the Moon and even Mars, we’re highlighting two women whose love of math took them on unexpected journeys of their own. Host Gillian King-Cargile (@gkingcargile) and Kristin Brynteson (@kbrynteson) talk with NASA’s Ryan Prouty. Ryan Prouty is now the Assistant Director for Strategy and Vision at NASA's Johnson Space Center. But for the past 23 years, she was a key team member and then leader of NASA’s International Space Station Program. Then, Gillian talks to S.L. Huang (@sl_huang) whose own love of math took her from MIT to a career as a Hollywood stuntwoman. Huang now shares her

On this episode of the STEM Read Podcast, we’ve got three perspectives on technology, empathy and e-sports. Host Gillian King-Cargile (@gkingcargile) and Kristin Brynteson (@kbrynteson) interview George Couros, author of The Innovator’s Mindset about creating a positive atmosphere for students by using technology to bring people together. Next, Gillian talks to NFL-kicker-turned-sci-fi-author Chris Kluwe about sports, e-sports, empathy in gaming, and how all of that informed his first novel Otaku . Finally, Gillian talks to Keisha Howard, co-founder of Sugar Gamers, about representation in the video game industry and ways to support girls and women in all aspects of gaming. All of these experts share great advice to help you teach, shelter, and stay positive during these unprecedented times. We interviewed Chris Kluwe at C2E2 . Special thanks to C2E2 and Tor for making the interview possible! Northern Illinois University’s STEM Read is part of the NIU STEAM family of programs that

In this episode of the STEM Read Podcast, host Gillian King-Cargile (@gkingcargile) interviews author and filmmaker Alex Garland ( Ex Machina , Annihilation ) about his latest project, a mind-bending, tech-centric television series, Devs , and how he creates stories to satisfy his own curiosity about science and technology. Then Gillian is joined by physicist Rebecca C. Thompson (@mathlete79) to unpack Devs’ topics of quantum mechanics and determinism. Rebecca is head of the Office of Education and Public Outreach at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. She is also the creator of the Spectra comic book series and author of Fire, Ice, and Physics: The Science of Game of Thrones . She’ll give us a crash course in quantum computing, refresh our memories about Schrödinger's Cat, and share her take on the science behind Devs . We interviewed Alex Garland at C2E2 . Special thanks to C2E2 and FX for making the interview possible! Northern Illinois University’s STEM Read is part of the

In this episode of the STEM Read Podcast Gillian King-Cargile (@gkingcargile), Kristin Brynteson (@kbrynteson), and Melanie Koss (@melaniekoss) sit down with author Kate Hannigan (@katechicago) and game-based-learning expert Andrew Peterson. We explore live-action-role-playing (LARPing) and game-based learning and then discuss how historical fiction can be a gateway to learning about the history of STEM and the forgotten history of female innovators. Are you ready to get your game on? Grab a fez and a fake mustache and join us because, “Holy Crap! We’re LARPing!” Northern Illinois University’s STEM Read is part of the NIU STEAM family of programs that explore science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math. Find more great books, lesson plans, and resources at stemread.com . The STEM Read Podcast is produced in collaboration with WNIJ . Notes & External Links · Kate Hannigan’s official page is very fancy! · The Official Abraham Lincoln of STEM Read is Kevin Wood · Check out

Going Wild with Peter Brown and Dr. Holly Jones In this episode of the STEM Read Podcast Gillian King-Cargile (@gkingcargile), Kristin Brynteson (@kbrynteson), and Melanie Koss (@melaniekoss) sit down with NIU Biology professor Holly Jones, Ph.D., and author of The Wild Robot Peter Brown (@itspeterbrown) to talk island ecosystems, endangered species, writing, and robotics. Northern Illinois University’s STEM Read is part of the NIU STEAM family of programs that explore science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math. Find more great books, lesson plans, and resources at stemread.com . The STEM Read Podcast is produced in collaboration with WNIJ . Notes & External Links · The Wild Robot by Peter Brown · Holly Jones , Associate Professor of Biology at Northern Illinois University · Learn more about NIU’s Department of Biological Sciences · What is marine biology ? · What is biodiversity ? · What are invasive species ? · What would it be like to have a rat as a pet? · What is

Episode 16: The Women of Frankenstein with Kiersten White and Christine Brovelli-O’Brien In this episode of the STEM Read Podcast hosts Gillian King-Cargile (@ gkingcargile ) and Kristin Brynteson (@ kbry nteson ) sit down with literature expert Christine Brovelli-O’Brien PhD., and New York Times best-selling author Kiersten White (@ kierstenwhite ) to explore the legacy of Frankenstein . With 2018 marking 200 years since Frankenstein ’s initial release we look back on the real-life science that inspired Frankenstein , the historical impact Frankenstein had, as well as the scie ntific breakthroughs it helped bring about. Northern Illinois University’s STEM Read is part of the NIU STEAM family of programs that explore science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math. Find more great books, lesson plans, and resources at stemread.com . The STEM Read Podcast is produced in collaboration with WNIJ . Notes & External Links Frankenstein by Mary Shelley The Dark Descent of Elizabeth

Episode 15: Pangolin Party with Brendan Wenzel and Brookfield Zoo In honor of World Pangolin Day we’re talking to a special group of people who are passionate about pangolins: mammals with scales. Pangolins look like armored anteaters. They evolved to be lion proof. They’re scaly, solitary, and adorable, but they’re also the most heavily trafficked animals in the world. We’ll talk to author and illustrator Brendan Wenzel about his books Hello, Hello and They All Saw a Cat and hear how he uses his whimsical work to introduce children to biodiversity. Then we’ll head to the International Pangolin Symposium, which was held at Brookfield Zoo. We talk to Dr. Jumi, Chair of the Pangolin Conservation Working Group Nigeria about her efforts to protect and study pangolins. And we’ll meet Dr. Copper, Veterinarian of Zoological Medicine, and Amy Roberts, Senior Curator of Mammals, who are part of Brookfield Zoo’s Pangolin team. These interviews were conducted with STEM Read’s friend and

Gillian King-Cargile and Dr. Kristin Brynteson join co-hosts Brian Bartel and Dale Basler this week to talk about STEM Read - a program from Northern Illinois University that uses live and online programs to inspire a broad range of readers to learn more about the science, technology, engineering, and math concepts in popular fiction. Listen to Lab Out Loud to learn more about STEM Read and the educational opportunities it offers, including book-aligned lesson plans, a podcast featuring an author or STEM expert and even a STEM Read Summer Institute.

Episode 14: Revisions in Writing, Engineering, and Life with Craig DeAmbrose and Mike Mullin On this episode, Gillian and Kristin explore the similarities between creative and technical processes with bicycle engineer Craig DeAmbrose and author Mike Mullin. Mullin’s newest book Surface Tension tells the story of a teen cyclist who suffers a traumatic brain injury after witnessing a terrorist attack. No one believes his memories of the events except the terrorists who are trying to silence him for good. This fast-paced story was the perfect backdrop for us to explore how people construct everything from stories to simple machines to their own careers. STEM Read was so excited about Surface Tension that we worked with Tanglewood Press to create the free Educator’s Activity Guide . Northern Illinois University’s STEM Read is part of the NIU STEAM family of programs that explore science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math. Find more great books, lesson plans, and resources at

Episode 13: Chainsaws and Wedding Cake with Lex Thomas Happy Halloween! On this spooky edition of the STEM Read Podcast Gillian and Kristin sit down with Lex Hrabe and Thomas Voorhies, who wrote the popular Quarantine book series as Lex Thomas (@LexThomasAuthor). We’ll explore using horror books in the classroom and talk learning, writing, teaching, and most importantly, horror-movie binging. Grab a bowl of candy and kick back for this very special episode. Northern Illinois University’s STEM Read is part of the NIU STEAM family of programs that explore science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math. Find more great books, lesson plans, and resources at stemread.com . The STEM Read Podcast is produced in collaboration with WNIJ . Notes & External Links · Learn more about Lex Thomas · Quarantine: The Loners by Lex Thomas · Mr. Boogedy is Disney Horror! · Read Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark …If you dare! · Who is Christopher Pike? · “Why Do We Love Horror” by Benjamin Bailey

Episode 12: Games, Goldfish, and Greatness with Filament Games and Jennifer L. Holm Sometimes the greatest discoveries have humble beginnings. A man with a messy lab and a moldy petri dish could discover of a life-saving medicine. A woman toiling away in a leaky shed could alter our understanding of radioactive materials. A teenage girl’s experience as a candy striper could send her on a career path that veers away from medicine and into writing children’s literature. A college drop-out could change the way video games help kids learn. The world is full of the possible and the unexpected. In this episode we talk to people who have embraced the possible in their careers and their creative pursuits. We talk with author Jennifer L. Holm (@jenniholm) to discuss her novel, The Fourteenth Goldfish , and the newly released sequel The Third Mushroom . These fun, fiction books for middle graders tell the story of Ellie and her scientist grandfather who has suddenly reversed his own aging

Episode 11: Science Fiction to Fuel Science Fact with Andy Weir and Joe Magliano Welcome to Season 2! Every great leap forward starts with a burst of creativity. Someone sees the world as it is, dreams of what it could be, and then works to make the dream a reality. While writers use language and storytelling to inspire change, scientists use research and experimentation. On this episode of the STEM Read podcast we sit down with educational psychologist Joe Magliano and best-selling author of The Martian Andy Weir to discuss the role of narrative in teaching science and the connections between the way writers and STEM experts use creativity to imagine and create a better world. Northern Illinois University’s STEM Read is part of the NIU STEAM family of programs that explore science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math. Find more great books, lesson plans, and resources at stemread.com . The STEM Read Podcast is produced in collaboration with WNIJ . Notes & External Links ·

STEM can be found in fiction! Everyone loves a good story and our guest Gillian King-Cargile from STEM Read in Northern Illinois University uses narratives in novels, picture books, comics and more to highlight scientific concepts to readers of all ages and in doing so makes science literacy all the more relevant. From live interviews with celebrated authors through to hands-on experiments based on the books themselves, STEM Read is all about making the science in the books shine! Hosted by Ben Newsome from Fizzics Education About Gillian King-Cargile Gillian King-Cargile is the founder and director of NIU's STEM Read, a program that introduces young readers to the science, technology, engineering, and math concepts behind popular fiction books. She earned her B.A. in film production and M.F.A. in creative writing from SIU. She also coordinates the Science Fiction Writing Competition and directs NIU's Creative Writing summer day camp for middle school students. Gillian is interested in developing and nurturing local and national literary communities and creating connections between university experts, community professionals, and learners of all ages. About STEM Read  STEM Read uses live and online programs to inspire readers to learn more about the science, technology, engineering, and math concepts in popular fiction. Readers enjoy the books on their own or with school or library groups and then meet at NIU or connect with us online to explore the science behind the fiction through hands-on activities, presentations by NIU faculty and staff, author visits, interactive games, collaborative writing projects, and other STEAM activities (STEM plus the arts).About the FizzicsEd Podcast With interviews with leading science educators and STEM thought leaders, this science education podcast is about highlighting different ways of teaching kids within and beyond the classroom. It's not just about educational practice & pedagogy, it's about inspiring new ideas & challenging conventions of how students can learn about their world! https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/Know an educator who'd love this STEM podcast episode?  Share it! The FizzicsEd podcast is a member of the Australian Educators Online Network (AEON ) http://www.aeon.net.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 10: #MeToo Movement in Children’s Literature with Anne Ursu & Martha Brockenbrough and Melanie Koss In this episode of the STEM Read Podcast we sit down with two major voices in the children's literature #MeToo movement, Anne Ursu and Martha Brockenbrough, as well as NIU Professor and Literary scholar Melanie Koss. Northern Illinois University’s STEM Read is part of the NIU STEAM family of programs that explore science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math. Find more great books, lesson plans, and resources at stemread.com . The STEM Read Podcast is produced in collaboration with WNIJ . Notes & External Links · Read Anne Ursu’s original article here · Donald Trump Unpresidented by Martha Brockenbrough · The Real Boy, Breadcrumbs, the Cronus Chronicles by Anne Ursu · Learn more about Melanie Koss’ Research here · Learn more about NIU’s College of Education · Diversify Your Library · Learn more about #WeNeedDiverseBooks · What is consent? · Ashfall by Mike Mullin ·

Episode 9: Big Ideas for Little Makers featuring Todd Burleson and Andrea Beaty How do we teach hands-on learning to young learners? At what age should students begin “making”? In this episode of The STEM Read podcast, we bring back friend-of-the-program, Andrea Beaty, and School Library Journal’s 2016 school librarian of the year, Todd Burleson, to discuss why we should be teaching higher concepts at younger grade levels and the important of a makerspace beyond the 3D printer. Northern Illinois University’s STEM Read is part of the NIU STEAM family of programs that explore science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math. Find more great books, lesson plans, and resources at stemread.com . The STEM Read Podcast is produced in collaboration with WNIJ . Notes & External Links · Learn more about Todd Burleson here · Learn more about Andrea Beaty here · Check out our free Iggy Peck, Architect and Rosie Revere, Engineer lesson plans · Here are some fun things you can do with a 3D

Episode 8: What You Don't know Could Kill You! with Marilyn Black and Kate Moore We’re celebrating Women’s History Month by bringing you stories of safety science from women whose work and sacrifices have made the world a cleaner, less radioactive place. Gillian (@gkingcargile) and Kristin (@kbrynteson) interview Dr. Marilyn Black , a chemist and pioneering researcher of indoor air quality who has revolutionized our understanding of industrial chemicals and helped manufactures make safer, greener products. Next they talk with Kate Moore , author of The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women . With a mantra of lip...dip...paint, dial painters were reassured that their company’s radium-based paint was safe for ingestion. But, when the girls began to fall ill, they had to fight for not only their legal rights, but their lives. Kate Moore’s meticulously researched non-fiction book paints a powerful portrait of the women whose struggles changed the landscape of workers’ and

Episode 7: Speaking Up Without Talking Down with Ruth Spiro and Paul Kassel This week’s episode starts with a reflection on the widespread accusations of sexual misconduct in the children’s publishing industry. Gillian (@gkingcargile) shares her thoughts on The Maze Runner and discusses what STEM Read is doing in response to revelations about author James Dashner. We’re putting together a full episode on the collision of the #MeToo Movement and Children’s Literature in the coming weeks. Then Gillian and Kristin (@kbrynteson) talk with NIU’s Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts Paul Kassel about the importance of performance in communicating science. Next, Ruth Spiro joins us to talk about communicating complex science ideas to young children through her Baby Loves Science books. Northern Illinois University’s STEM Read is part of the NIU STEAM family of programs that explore science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math. Find more great books, lesson plans, and

Episode 6: Doodlers and Daydreamers with Dr. Rhonda Robinson and Tom Lichtenheld On this episode of the STEM Read podcast, hosts Gillian King-Cargile (@gkingcargile) and Kristin Brynteson (@kbrynteson) chat with visual literacy expert Dr. Rhonda Robinson and author/illustrator Tom Lichtenheld ( Cloudette, Duck! Rabbit!, Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site ). We’ll talk to Rhonda about the importance of fostering visual literacy skills in learners and share some activities and picture books you can use at home or in the classroom. Then we’ll talk to Tom Lichtenheld ( ) about his process of creating visual images and stories and how important creativity, collaboration, persistence, and constraints are to that creative process. Northern Illinois University’s STEM Read is part of the NIU STEAM family of programs that explore science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math. Find more great books, lesson plans, and resources at stemread.com . The STEM Read Podcast is produced in

Episode 5: The Rise of F%@k with Melissa Wright and M.C. Atwood This episode of the STEM Read podcast contains strong language and a strong message. Join hosts Gillian King-Cargile (@gkingcargile) and Kristin Brynteson (@kbrynteson) as we chat with linguistic Melissa Wright (www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-wright1316) and The Devil’s You Know author M.C. Atwood. We’ll explore the history, culture, and linguistics of swearing and examine the use of swearing as a tool to reveal character and breed empathy in YA literature. Northern Illinois University’s STEM Read is part of the NIU STEAM family of programs that explore science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math. Find more great books, lesson plans, and resources at stemread.com . The STEM Read Podcast is produced in collaboration with WNIJ . Notes & External Links · The Devils You Know by M. C. Atwood · The Martian by Andy Weir · Feed by M.T. Anderson · “F %@ k-a-doodle-do The Rooster” Wallpaper · Melissa Wright, Denver

Episode 4: Learning by Doing with Nancy Cavanaugh, Jasmine Carey, Mackenzie Thompson, and Melanie Koss Kristin (@kbrynteson) and Gillian (@gkingcargile) mock some of Kristin’s job titles and then sit down with NIU seniors Jasmine Carey and Mackenzie Thompson to talk about why they are pursuing engineering and why every little girl should play with power tools. Melanie Koss (@melaniekoss‏) from NIU’s Department of Literacy interviews Gillian and author Nancy Cavanaugh (@NancyJCavanaugh) during a panel on STEM and Children’s Literature at STEMfest 2017 . Northern Illinois University’s STEM Read is part of the NIU STEAM family of programs that explore science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math. Find more great books, lesson plans, and resources at stemread.com . The STEM Read Podcast is produced in collaboration with WNIJ . Notes & External Links Many thanks to Sourcebooks ! What is Metal Working? Learn more about Project Lead the Way Build bridges with Iggy Peck and the

Episode 3: Inquiry with Zack Gilbert and M.T. Anderson Students and sci-fi authors tend to question everything, but not all educators are ready to bring inquiry into their classrooms. Until recently, it has been the stuff of science labs. Now there is a push to embrace essential questions across the curriculum. This week, Gillian and Kristin interview social studies teacher and fellow podcaster Zack Gilbert ( ) and award-winning author M.T. Anderson ( ) to learn how to use inquiry to explore history, understand culture, and question the very nature of current and future societies. Zack will tell us why he thinks the scientific method is garbage and M.T. Anderson will talk about how he turns his anxieties about society and technology into the plots of his great satirical novels like Feed and his most recent book Landscape with Invisible Hand (Candlewick Press). Northern Illinois University’s STEM Read is part of the NIU STEAM family of programs that explore science, technology,

Episode 2: What If? with Aaron Starmer and Lynne M. Thomas On this episode of the STEM Read Podcast, we explore the magical little question, “What If.” Hugo-Award Winning editor, Lynne M. Thomas ( and speculative fiction author, Aaron Starmer ( weigh in on the importance of fostering fun and embracing genre fiction in the classroom. Aaron Starmer’s book Spontaneous was sparked by the question, “What if high school seniors started spontaneously combusting?” Lynne Thomas’s Uncanny Magazine was spurred by the question “What if there were space unicorns?” Sarah’s Unicorn by Bruce Coville and Katherine Coville Get Teaching Tips for Kristin’s Independent Study Teacher You can Check Out NIU’S Rare Books & Special Collections Here! Find a speaker from the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America Read Excerpts from Hugo Award-Winning Uncanny Magazine! Now You’re Thinking of Cheese Sauce . A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle “That’s what’s so great about speculative fiction, when

Episode 1: Science and Storytelling with Erika Gebel Berg and Mike Mullin In their debut episode, Gillian King-Cargile (@gkingcargile) and Dr. Kristin Brynteson (@kbrynteson) talk dinosaurs, cannibals, and the science of storytelling with biophysicist and science writer Erika Gebel Berg (@erikagebelberg) and award-winning author Mike Mullin ( mikemullinauthor.com ). Northern Illinois University’s STEM Read is part of the NIU STEAM family of programs that explore science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math. Find more great books, lesson plans, and resources at stemread.com . The STEM Read Podcast is produced in collaboration with WNIJ . Notes & External Links Born Post-Meow Mix era? Here’s the Jingle Erika knows and loves Before Chris Pratt starred it, Michael Crichton wrote it Chainsaws and Giant Squid in Peter Benchley’s, The Beast Outbreak directed by Wolfgang Petersen All Work and No Play Makes Erika Write and Write Top 3 Scientists in Popular Media: Iron Man , Space

USING FICTION AS A GATEWAY TO SCIENCE I love this topic.....Follett Learning bring us  Tech Trainer Mike Jones, a life science teacher from Bloomington IL, and NIU's Director of The STEM Read program,Gillian King-Cargile... going to be an outstanding show. Jenny Meyer from Follett joins us as well.

Kristin Brynteson is the Assistant Director of the P-20 Center at Northern Illinois University. The Center for P-20 Engagement collaborates with internal and external partners to provide leadership and promote innovation by fostering interdisciplinary learning communities and initiatives which increase educational success. One of their projects is STEM Read, Coordinated by Gillian King-Cargile. Gillian King-Cargile has a bachelor’s degree in film production and an MFA in creative writing. She is a writer, a book lover, and a professional science appreciator.… Read the rest