ASTC has curated these award-winning, NSTA Recommends books for its members to promote science and math while improving reading and literacy skills for upper elementary and middle schoolers. Check out these resources for your programming and after-school activities. Our literature-based STEM books are perfect tools for museum educators! One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Math! Preview the book Purchase with ASTC discount here! One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve with Science! Preview the book Purchase with ASTC discount here! One Minute Mysteries: 65 MORE Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! Preview the book Purchase with ASTC discount here! Leonardo da Vinci Gets a Do-Over Read a sample chapter Download the Free Teacher's Guide Purchase the book with ASTC discount here! Bilingual Math Mysteries Preview the book Purchase the book with ASTC discount here! Please reload 101 Things Everyone Should Know about Math Preview the book Purchase the book with ASTC discount here! 101 Things Everyone Should Know about Science Preview the book Purchase the book with ASTC discount here! If My Mom Were a Platypus Download the Activity Guide Download our Guide to Hands-On Activities Purchase with ASTC discount here! Ghost in the Water Read a sample chapter Download the Free Teacher's Guide Purchase the book with ASTC discount here! Bilingual Science Mysteries Preview the book Purchase the book with ASTC discount here! Please reload Museum educators around the country use our titles to engage, excite, and educate: Literature-based books teach science and math while promoting reading, Fiction and nonfiction titles featuring a diverse group of young heroes, Real-life scenarios make science and math relevant to kids, Potentially intimidating topics become intriguing and accessible to scientists of all ages, Supports problem-based and project-based learning, Extensive Teacher's Guides and Hands-On Activities available for free download, Cross-curricular content provides ample learning opportunities. Our books make great resources for museum educators and our short brainteasers make great content for museum publications. For permissions to reprint, information on bulk discounts, and more information, contact Ali . Learn How Facilitators Use Our Books Extensive Educator Resources and Hands-On Activities Shop at the ASTC Bookstore

Can you solve this month's real-life science mystery? —¡Rayos! Estos mosquitos me están comiendo vivo —se quejó Franklin, golpeándose los brazos y piernas.  Los chicos del barrio estaban jugando voleibol en el patio trasero de Franklin. Sus padres habían comprado la red recientemente, pero era difícil quedarse... Agosto Seleccionado de: One Minute Mysteries: Short Mysteries You Solve With Math! • Misterios de un minuto: ¡Misterios Cortos que Resuelves con Matemáticas! Síguele la corriente —Les va a encantar este lugar —dijo el abuelo de Jesse—. Yo voy a cada rato. Jesse y su amigo Thomas estaban de visita en casa del abuelo de Jesse, a quien le encantaba navegar y recientemente había comprado una lancha nueva. Desde la casa del abuelo de Jesse, navegarían río abajo hasta un parque con un muelle de pesca y un restaurante. —¿Cuán lejos es? —preguntó Thomas al abordar la lancha. —Veinte millas náuticas —respondió el abuelo—. Una milla náutica es aproximadamente 1/6 más larga que una milla, o casi 2 kilómetros. Durante el viaje de ida, el cual tomó 48 minutos, el velocímetro de la lancha indicaba que el motor iba a 20 nudos—que, de acuerdo al abuelo de Jesse, significaba veinte millas náuticas por hora. Pasaron muy bien el día, pese a que no pescaron ni un pez. Durante el viaje de regreso, que tardó 1 hora y 20 minutos, el velocímetro indicaba la misma velocidad. Thomas y Jesse se bajaron en el muelle mientras que el abuelo de Jesse ataba la lancha. —Bueno, aprendimos algo hoy —le dijo Thomas a Jesse. —¿Te refieres a que no somos buenos pescadores? —le preguntó Jesse. —No, a eso no. Si la distancia al parque era de 20 millas náuticas y la lancha navegaba a 20 nudos, el viaje debió haber tardado una hora, pero no fue así, en ninguna de las dos direcciones. O el velocímetro indicó mal la velocidad, o tu abuelo está equivocado sobre la distancia —contestó Thomas—. Pero, ¿cuál? REVELAR RESPUESTA

Can you solve this month's real-life science mystery? “Man, these mosquitoes are eating me alive," Franklin complained, slapping at his arms and legs. ​ The neighborhood kids were playing volleyball in Franklin's back yard. His parents had recently bought the net and set it up, but it was hard to stay out in the... ¿Hablas español? Haga clic aquí para resolver... August Selected from: One Minute Mysteries: 65 More Short Mysteries You Solve With Math! Slow Boat “You guys will love this place,” Jesse’s grandfather said. “I go there all the time.” Jesse and his friend Thomas were visiting Jesse’s grandfather, who loved boating and had just bought a new boat. From Jesse’s grandfather’s house along a river, they would be going downstream to a park that had a fishing pier and a restaurant. “How far is it?” Thomas asked as they got on the boat. “20 nautical miles,” Jesse’s grandfather said. “A nautical mile is about 1/6 longer than a land mile, or almost 2 kilometers.” The boat’s speedometer showed the engine was running at 20 knots, which Jesse’s grandfather said meant 20 nautical miles per hour on the trip there, which lasted 48 minutes. They had a fun day, although they didn’t catch any fish. The speedometer showed the same speed on the trip back, which took 1 hour and 20 minutes. Thomas and Jesse climbed out onto the dock while Jesse’s grandfather tied up the boat. “Well, we learned something today,” Thomas said to Jesse. “You mean that we’re no good at fishing?” Jesse said. “Not that. If the distance was 20 nautical miles and the boat was moving at 20 knots, the ride should have taken 1 hour, but it didn’t—in either direction. Either the speedometer is wrong about the speed, or your grandfather is wrong about the distance,” Thomas said. “But which?” REVEAL ANSWER

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With this picture book, explore a variety of eye conditions and the helpful tools that people use to better see the world around them. What is it like to see the world through someone else's eyes? If you’ve ever been curious about how your eyes work, why some people need glasses, or what you see if you're colorblind, How Do You See the World? has the answers! Eyes are complicated, and each little part has to work together in order to build a clear picture of what you see. Engaging science content covers eye anatomy, how light enters our eyes and sends an image to our brain, how we see color, and even ways we can perceive invisible light. Written by an optical physicist, this informative picture book explores the various eye conditions that kids may have or may learn about through their friends and relatives. Discover clear explanations of eye conditions such as amblyopia, astigmatism, colorblindness, and glaucoma, paired with illustrations that show how these conditions affect what you see, and what tools you can use to improve your vision. How Do You See the World? helps kids ages 7–10 understand their own eyes and empathize with how others experience the world around them. Fun, diverse characters will help normalize all types of visual impairments and celebrate the tools and technology that help us see more clearly. We are proud to announce How Do You See the World? as a winner in the 2025 Outstanding Science Trade Book Awards, representing each year’s best K-12 science books, chosen by science educators. Learn all about it here. Press Release Teacher's Guide Order in Paperback Order in Spanish Did You Know? How Do You See the World also comes as a reflowable eBook, specifically created for children experiencing blindness and low vision, with features including: Detailed alt text for the book’s illustrations Full display transformability High-contrast image text Navigation features, including a page list to match the original hardcover edition Text-to-speech compatibility Updates to the content for the purpose of clarity Reflowable eBook and standard fixed format available soon on: Kobo, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and Overdrive Learn more about our commitment to accessibility here. Book details Age range 7 - 10 years Grade range 2nd grade - 5th grade Trim size 10" x 8" Pages 40 Hardcover (ISBN 978-1-958629-43-7) $18.95 Paperback (ISBN 978-1-958629-75-8) $16.95 Spanish (ISBN 978-1-958629-73-4) $16.95 eBook (ISBN 978-1-958629-44-4) $13.99 Accessible eBook (ISBN 978-1-958629-70-3) $13.99 Reviews by Experts “A great book for young children that explains the phenomenon of vision and how the eyes work. It helps children appreciate the problems that some people have with their vision.” —David Atchison, D.Sc., Professor of Visual Optics, Queensland University of Technology, Australia “Learning about the visual system could not be more fun and simple as How Do You See the World? makes it.” —Dana Spearin, Optometric Physician “Intricately explains how the eye functions and emphasizes the importance of eye health in a simple yet comprehensive manner. I recommend adding this book to your child's collection, for it will engage their curiosity and yours.“ —Brittani Carver-Schemper, OD, Eye Doctor and Eye Health Educator (@bettervision) “This book is the perfect choice for curious young minds who are eager to discover the science behind the gift of sight.” —Dr. Kelsea Brown, Optometrist “ The science behind how we see is fascinating and can be complex, but this book breaks it down into easy-to-understand segments. I truly loved sharing this book with my kids and will be recommending it to my patients as well!” —Dr. Way C. Yu, Doctor of Optometry About the Illustrator Noureddine Melikechi is a Professor of Physics at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where he works on the interaction of light with various types of samples. He has studied why various objects have different colors and how we are able to see. Noureddine has also used light to detect early signs of cancers. A native of Algeria, Noureddine received his Diplôme d'Études Supérieures in Physics from the University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene, Algeria, and his M.Sc. and D.Phil., both in Physics, from the University of Sussex. Michelle Simpson grew up in the forests of Niagara Falls, Ontario. She is heavily inspired by nature and mythical folktales. Michelle graduated from Sheridan College with a BAA in Illustration, and now creates artwork for children’s books and television shows. She also wrote and illustrated the picture book Monsters In My House. In her spare time, Michelle likes to garden, go for forest walks, and annoy her cats, Sushi and Mr. Pounce, with endless amounts of love. About the Author

Our Commitment to Accessibility At Science Naturally, we are dedicated to accessibility. We create diverse characters in our stories to highlight empathy , kindness , and compassion , providing empowering representation for our curious readers worldwide. We are also devoted to making educational resources on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) subjects more accessible to a diverse audience. We have partnered with Atomic Hands, an organization that produces educational STEM videos in ASL (American Sign Language), to make these topics more accessible for children with hearing impairments. Check out the new ASL-translated editions of select titles from our Science Wide Open series, featuring women in various STEM fields, as well as Atoms , the first early childhood book in the My First Science Textbook series. These ASL STEM Storybooks are available to watch on the Atomic Hands website , featuring ASL interpreters with careers in STEM. Both series are also available in multiple formats on our website. Look out for our reflowable eBook edition of How Do You See the World? , which explains different types of eye conditions and normalizes both visual impairments and the tools and technology used to improve vision or mobility. This reflowable eBook was specifically created for children experiencing blindness and low vision, with features including: Detailed alt text for the book’s illustrations Full display transformability High-contrast image text Navigation features, including a page list to match the original hardcover edition Text-to-speech compatibility Updates to the content for the purpose of clarity Fixed format and reflowable eBook available soon on: Kobo, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and Overdrive The book is currently available as a hardback. Find our Spanish, Bengali, Mandarin, Korean, Haitian Creole, and Dutch translations of our most loved books, Cuddled and Carried , This is How I Grow , Babies Nurse, our Science Wide Open series, How Cats Say I Love You , and more HERE ! Our diverse translations are at the heart of our accessibility work at Platypus Media, as we aim to provide non-English speaking children the opportunity to read about the diverse characters, narratives, and educational material that spark their curiosity.

Looking for STEM gift ideas the whole family will enjoy? We have a great selection of books full of full of fun puzzles and questions that are perfect for families to work through together! Gifts for Families Choose from our wide selection of award-winning STEM literature for the perfect gift for the curious kid in your life! This set of fun books blurs the line between entertainment and education. Make math and science fun with these literature-based books. Each mystery takes just one minute to read and features real-world scenarios. The brain teasers challenge kids to use critical thinking skills. Perfect for a long car trip or quick errands. Written by a father-daughter team, this set of entertaining and educational books is great for kids, grown-ups, educators and anyone who loves good mysteries, good math and science, or all three! I Love A Mystery Book Set Click Here to View Click Here to View This set includes the two 101 Things books: 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Math and 101 Things You Everyone Should Know About Science from the award-winning authors Marc Zev, Kevin Segal and Nathan Levy. 101 Things Everyone Should Know... Book Set Deluxe Smart Kid Book Set Keep your kids' brain active with these five clever literature-based, award-winning science and math books. Everyone in the family will love trying to solve these engaging, exciting (and shhh!...educational) brainteasers! Unravel real-life predicaments using everything from decimals to DNA, fractions to fingerprints. Keep the set together or use them as individual gifts. Click Here to View Science Sleuth Book Set You may not put criminals away, but use this set to crack mysteries you see every day! Show off your science skills with the Science Sleuth Book Set. These brainteasers have a clever-twist--you have to tap into your science wisdom and critical thinking skills to solve them. Each mystery takes just one minute to read and challenges your knowledge in biology, chemistry, physics, and earth and space science. Click Here to View Math Madness Book Set Crazy about math... Or wish you were? This book set is just for you! These aren’t your ordinary math books. Kids are challenged to solve math brainteasers and answer questions in sports, cooking, money, travel and more. Kids will see how much math is a critical part of their everyday lives. These fun, educational books are perfect for kids, parents, educators, and anyone interested in knowing the difference between an Olympic event score of 9.0 and Richter scale score of 9.0. Click Here to View

Can you solve this month's science mystery? Junio Seleccionado de: One Minute Mysteries: Short Mysteries You Solve With Math! • Misterios de un minuto: ¡Misterios Cortos que Resuelves con Matemáticas! Un cuento largo Día de los desafíos era uno de los más esperados en la semana del campamento. A los campistas se les enviaba a hacer toda clase de tareas extrañas, como, por ejemplo, encontrar pelo de animales, ciertos tipos de hojas, nueces, y otros pedacitos de naturaleza. Dominic y Vincent estaban convencidos de que se les había encargado la tarea más difícil de todas: calcular la altura exacta del árbol solitario en el centro del campamento. Por poco sueltan carcajadas cuando les entregaron solo dos herramientas para hacerlo: una regla de una yarda de longitud y una gran bola de hilo. —Es imposible —dijo Dominic, ojeando hasta la punta del árbol con los ojos entrecerrados. Era un día soleado. —No puede ser imposible —dijo Vincent—. El consejero dijo que otros chicos lo han hecho con las mismas cosas que nos dieron a nosotros. Pensaron por un rato. —Bueno, tengo una idea —dijo Dominic—. Pero no será fácil. Uno de nosotros puede sostener la bola de hilo mientras que el otro se amarra un extremo del hilo al cinturón y trepa el árbol. Podríamos llegar lo suficientemente cerca a la punta como para estimar cuánto falta, y después podríamos agregar ese estimado a la longitud del hilo desde el punto al que alcanzamos hasta el suelo. —No creo que nos gustará el resultado de eso —dijo Vincent. —¿Por qué? —preguntó Dominic. REVELAR RESPUERTA

"Parents who are responsive to their children's needs often find themselves swimming upstream against the culture. Platypus Media books encourage parents as they create families that are close-knit. Through sharing stories, Platypus Media is building a caring community where children and parents alike can thrive." —Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, Ph.D., Author of The Hidden Feelings of My Motherhood "Platypus Media books give us a fun way to help meet curriculum objectives in reading, science, language arts, and social studies. The kids love them—and the free activity guides do a lot of the work for us!" —Catherine Pfeiffer, School Librarian, Capitol Hill Cluster Schools, Washington, D.C. "Caring parents will be delighted with the gentle way these books foster love and respect between parent and child." —Marguerite Kelly, Author of The Monster's Almanac "What's really exciting about this line of books is that children from every background can relate to them. Platypus Media books have captured the values of close-knit families from many different perspectives." —Maria Salvadore, Children's Literature Specialist, Washington, D.C. GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING Our mission is to get books into the hands of children all over the world, and we are proud to work with local, state, and federal programs to further this goal. We are now registered on SAM.gov as well as with the SBA. DOWNLOAD OUR CAPABILITY STATEMENT SEARCH FOR US ON SAM.gov VIEW OUR SBA PROFILE SOCIO-ECONOMIC CERTIFICATIONS Small Business Women-Owned Small Business CORE COMPETENCIES Platypus Media, LLC is comprised of two independent publishing houses: Platypus Media and Science Naturally. Platypus Media creates materials that support and promote attachment parenting, breastfeeding, and family. We share evidence-based practices and family support resources with our readers. Our imprint, Science Naturally , makes math and science accessible and engaging for children ages 0-14. Our STEM books encourage skill acquisition in reading, science, and math and are available in several languages and formats. CORPORATE IDENTIFICATION Platypus Media has been in business since February 2000, but our founder and president, Dia Michels, has been working in publishing for the last 30 years. Over the years we have accumulated a permanent staff of 4, who have helped to produce 45+ titles and print more than 500,000 books. We are honored to say that our books have won more than 60 literary, science, math, and language awards. WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT? Literature-based science and math Problem-based learning Spanish/bilingual education Free downloadable Teacher's Guides Medically certified authors Father, sibling, and NICU support Customization opportunities All of our STEM books meet Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Accepts government credit cards and purchase orders PAST PERFORMANCE *Please contact us for POC information Kids Read Now | 02/05/2019–03/27/2020 Provided 15,800 customized children's' books over the span of nearly fourteen months (four orders) at a cost as low as $2.89/book California Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) / SLAHP | 03/22/2018–09/17/2019 Provided 3,500 breastfeeding booklets over the span of eighteen months (two orders) at a cost as low as $2.95/booklet Colorado WIC / CDPHE | 08/29/2019 Provided 850 hardcover children's' books within one month (one order) at a cost as low as $4.95/book Healthy Start Oklahoma | 01/03/2019 Provided 1,000 customized children's' books within one month (one order) at a cost as low as $2.95/book New Mexico WIC / DOH | 12/04/2018 Provided 6,115 customized children's' books within one month (one order) at a cost as low as $2.95/book

With lyrical language and blooming illustrations, Mara Plants a Seed demonstrates the transformative power of simple actions. By cleaning up an empty lot and planting fifty sunflower seeds, Mara begins to create a flourishing, wild garden — but she doesn’t do it alone. AVAILABLE NOW! How does an imaginative girl turn an empty lot into a flourishing garden? With lyrical language and blooming illustrations, Mara Plants a Seed demonstrates the transformative power of simple actions. By cleaning up an empty lot and planting fifty sunflower seeds, Mara begins to create a flourishing, wild garden — but she doesn’t do it alone. Little does Mara know, flying insects, digging worms, hungry birds, noisy neighbors, and other secret gardeners are working to help transform the lot into something even more beautiful than she imagined. Rain storms wash away seeds, but rabbits leave some behind. Some helpers nibble up weeds, and others fertilize the soil. Each time Mara visits the garden, she’s expecting to see her sunflowers growing. But as the flowers blossom, she uncovers the exciting secrets waiting for her! Mara Plants a Seed inspires young readers to develop a deeper connection to the environment around them and study the many ways natural processes and ordinary animals help plants grow and thrive. Children will watch as Mara’s simple action of restoring an empty lot transforms a community and the beautiful way the garden bursts to life. . ORDER NOW Book Details Hardcover (ISBN 978-1-958629-76-5) $18.95 Age range 2 - 7 years Grade range Pre-K - 2nd Grade Trim Size 10" x 10" Page Count 40 pages PRESS RELEASE Praise for Mara Plants a Seed "While the book’s empty-lot-to-garden conceit is well-trod ground, the emphasis on ecological interdependence offers readers an enduring takeaway." - Publishers Weekly "A sweet and endearing story of hope and all of the delicate and special pieces required to sustain it." - Tyler Thrasher, Botanist, Artist, and Author of “The Universe in 100 Colors.” “Such a wonderful book that shows children that just one small act can make a beautiful difference. 'Mara Plants a Seed' is a perfect story to share with young readers that is packed with valuable lessons." - Melissa Inferrera, 1st Grade Teacher and Plant Mom, @musicmindandsoul “This precious tale of a girl’s journey into the garden inspires us to take a look around and imagine the possibilities. People, insects, bugs and even beings one can not see all come together in harmony. Powered by hope, tenacity and the help of community, we see how magical a single seed can be!” - Tamara Elmore, Tam in the Garden @taminthegarden "A once barren and neglected lot is transformed into a gorgeous, natural garden full of life, though Mara keeps an eye out for those sunflowers she's planted. She's not at all disappointed and neither was I! We're treated to a delightful, vertical two-page spread that I couldn't help but smile wide for when I turned to it. Bailey does a fantastic job of conveying how utterly wonderful it is to behold a wild garden, and Napoli and Furrow do an equally excellent job of explaining the process of seed to flower (including a blurb in the back encouraging readers to plant their own seeds)." - Goodreads Reviewer , Charessa "The principles of seed growth are entwined into this simple story leading to further discussions in the classroom about plant needs, ecosystems as well as ways to turn the unattractive and unused into something beautiful and well-loved." - Primary Teacher, Melanie Dulaney "Mara Plants A Seed is a lovely, heartfelt, relatable, lesson-filled, and creative story! This book is absolutely charming! Mara is a precious character. With her little act of kindness a trashed vacant lot begins to flourish. Her patience, love, and kindness helps nature become activated. The reader sees all the intentional, natural, and accidental actions which help the lot turn into a garden. The resiliency of nature and the joy nature brings to everyone is on full display. I adore this book!" - Goodreads Reviewer, Bailey Young (Check out the full review here ) Meet the Authors Robert Furrow is a gardener, a wildlife educator, and a birder. He is also a professor of teaching at the University of California, Davis, where he lives with his wife and daughters and dog. He teaches many shades of introductory biology, including wildlife natural history and how to garden for wildlife habitat. This is his sixth book co-authored with his mother Donna Jo Napoli. Donna Jo Napoli has published books for preschoolers through high schoolers. She is a gardener, a dancer, and a dual citizen of Italy and America. She is also a linguist who works on sign languages, advocates for the language rights of deaf children, and co-directs the website RISE, which offers bimodal-bilingual video books for free. She lives with her husband outside Philadelphia . Meet the Illustrator Melissa Bailey is the daughter of an avid gardener and granddaughter of a farmer. She is also an award-winning illustrator of 50+ children’s books and the author-illustrator of 2 picture books. Melissa loves living in rural Michigan, thinks it would be awesome to live in a treehouse, and tries to remember to water her plants.

President and founder of Science Naturally, Dia Michels is an internationally published, award-winning science writer. A popular speaker, she lectures frequently at universities, libraries, and conferences across the country. Read about her presentations below. President and founder of Science Naturally, Dia Michels is an internationally published, award-winning science writer. Her topics include science and math books for middle grade students, and her passion is fostering curiosity in young minds. A popular speaker, she lectures frequently at universities, libraries, and conferences across the country. Read about her talks below. Creativity, Curiosity, and Critical Thinking Combined Discover Strategies to Build Confidence and Encourage Curiosity In today's fast-paced world, schools encourage kids to memorize facts and learn answers to test questions. Unfortunately, this focus often means children are not learning the critical reasoning skills that are so important for applied science and math, which they will encounter in higher education and in real life. To succeed in life and excel in STEM careers, it is imperative for today's students to learn how to use what they know to deduce what they don't. It's not enough to know the answer, they also need to know the "why". This workshop will teach strategies that help kids get to the all-important "ah-ha!" moment. We'll use short questions and brainteasers as an opportunity for creative At the end of this session the participant will be able to... Use literature-based math and science to develop critical thinking skills and promote curiosity. Implement strategies to build confidence and encourage curiosity in the classroom and beyond. analytical reasoning, with each simple mystery as an example of real-life STEM applications. Hands-on activities and fun worksheets help extend the material. Content is interdisciplinary and supports current curriculum standards. Get inspired to encourage creativity, confidence, and curiosity through science and math! If My Mom Were A Platypus Teaching Science through Mammal Life Cycle Stories There are approximately 5000 species of mammals on our planet. They live and reproduce and raise their young in every conceivable habitat, from icy arctic waters to the unrelenting heat of the desert; they live in caves, in trees, in seawater, in freshwater; some are as small as a grape, others the size of a bus. This lively, hands-on workshop shows teachers how to introduce kids to life cycle curricula through engaging mammal stories. Science and parenting writer Dia L. Michels shares insights about the behaviors and characteristics of mammals from her book If My Mom Were a Platypus . This fascinating introduction to the world of mammals captures the universality of the life cycle. The stories are charming, but more importantly, they convey significant scientific insight. The content aligns directly with the Next Generation Science Standards as well as both primary and middle school curricula. Attendees will leave the room with a new set of tools for teaching—and a keen sense of what makes mammals special! At the end of this session the participant will be able to... Use engaging mammal facts to help kids understand and take interest in a variety of life science concepts (sensory perception, infant identification, habitats, nutrient density, adaptations, ecology, metabolism, anatomy, biomes, and classification). Easily incorporate the lessons and activities from the presentation into their curriculum to spark curiosity in their students. Game Show - kids' edition! Are You Smarter than a Mammalogist ? FOR KIDS! This fun-filled, interactive game challenges your mammal knowledge. What can we learn by exploring how other mammals are born and raised? With a focus on early childhood, we uncover fascinating facts, amazing adaptations, and parenting peculiarities. There are over 6,000 mammal species, ranging in shape, size, and habitat. Learn about the diverse ways babies develop (in a womb, pouch, or egg), survive (are they “nest,” “cache,” “follow,” or “carry” mammals?), and how fast or slow the young grow up (newborn blue whales gain 8 pounds per hour!). Come ready to learn, and leave with an appreciation for the diversity in animal adaptations. Plus, pick up prizes along the way! At the end of this session the participant will be able to... Recognize the fundamental similarities and astonishing differences across the mammal class. Gain a greater appreciation for their inner mammal and deeper understanding of their place in the natural world. Understanding How Special it is to Grow Up Human Classifying Mammals in Meaningful Way for Children Educators teach children that we classify living things so we can make order out of our world. We teach them that they are mammals and tell them that there are four requirements to be a mammal: they must have hair or fur, be endothermic, have a backbone, and the females must raise the young on mother's milk. Most of these characteristics, however, apply to many other members of the animal kingdom. Are there more meaningful ways we can teach students to classify mammals? Dia Michels, author of If My Mom Were A Platypus , explores some mammal attributes that provide a fresh perspective on classification and helps kids understand why being a mammal is so special. At the end of this session the participant will be able to... Identify the core characteristics that make a mammal. Understand why and how scientists classify life on Earth and why these taxonomic classifications may be challenged or changed. Understanding How Special it is to Grow Up Human Preview the content in Dia's own words in this short podcast recorded at ALA 2019: Interested in booking Dia for one of these talks? Email Info@ScienceNaturally.com for more details.

Can you solve this month's real-world math mystery? “Hannah!... Would you please come out here already? Your sister, father, and I have been waiting for you for almost 10 minutes!”... ¿Hablas español? Haga clic aquí para resolver... November Selected from: One Minute Mysteries: 65 MORE Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! Home on the Range Guillermo and Fiorella’s family was enjoying their last hike of the fall before the weather turned too cold to go hiking. Halfway up a mountain on a trail they had never taken before, their father said, “This would be a great spot to have a house.” They looked around the edge of the sunny meadow, down to a stream, feeling a fresh breeze coming down the mountain. “You’re right, Dad,” Guillermo said. “I would love to live here, too,” said Fiorella. “It’s so pretty and I’m sure there are deer and all kinds of other animals here. It would be great to watch wildlife right from our front porch.” “I don’t know about living in a place like this,” their mother said. “There’s no electricity and you kids couldn’t live for more than a day without your gizmos. You could never get the power company to run an electrical line this far out into the woods.” “Well, if we were allowed to build a house here, we could make our own electricity,” Fiorella said. “But making electricity requires energy. Where would we get it?” their father asked. REVEAL ANSWER