Christine Taylor-Butler
Speaking at ALA:
Sunday June 26, 2011
8 am – 10 am
Science Experiments: Connecting The S.T.E.M. Dots
The United States is falling behind other industrialized nations in terms of student preparation in math and science. For many children, nonfiction books provide the first introduction to the vast diversity on our planet and can help them make the critical connection between content learned at school and real life application.
The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) has changed the focus on learning. Teachers are forced to spend more time prepping for state exams and the elusive AYP benchmark, leaving less time for creative instruction and/or the application of higher order thinking. The country rewards school districts for their student’s ability to fill in the right “box”. As a result students don’t learn to “think out of the box.”
Librarians may be the last best hope for filling the gap — starting with simple science experiments that use common, low-cost materials. And if the word “science” turns them off, then call it “magic.”
Come visit us at ALA New Orleans in July 2011 for some tips, some tricks and a way to help your students “connect the dots” in a fun and meaningful way.
To preview an excerpt of Super Cool Science Experiments (Magnets) click this link:
About The Author
Christine Taylor-Butler is the author of more than sixty books for children, including biographies, state histories, science and fiction series. Her nonfiction photo essay SACRED MOUNTAIN: EVEREST was named best nonfiction by the Society of Midland Authors, Missouri Writers Guild, Bank Street College of Education, Nebraska Library Association and Barnes and Noble Review.
The ultimate oxymoron, Christine holds dual degrees in Civil Engineering and Art &Design from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, MA. Before switching careers, she worked for the Harvard University Development Office, then relocated to the midwest where she served as Engineering and Process Control Manager in the Graphic Arts division of Hallmark Cards, Inc. In 2009 Christine was awarded MIT’s George B. Morgan ’20 award for her work on their Educational Council.
She is a past president of the Missouri Writers Guild, sits on the board of the Midwest Children’s Authors Guild and has been an instructor for the Highlights Foundation Chautauqua Writers Workshop. She lives in Kansas City, Missouri, with her husband and two daughters.
For more information visit: Christine Taylor-Butler’s Website
Sacred Mountain:Everest ” . . . . For young armchair travelers who may make the climb someday, this mixture of science, geography, culture and the original extreme sport is irresistible.” ~ Kirkus Reviews
