STEM Read
Summary: The STEM Read podcast explores the connections between STEM and storytelling. Join hosts Gillian King-Cargile and Dr. Kristin Brynteson as they dive into a hot topic in K-12 education with an educator or STEM expert. After that, they talk with an author whose books can ignite enthusiasm for reading and learning. Get great reading recommendations, spark stemtastic ideas for your classroom or library, and geek out with Gillian and Kristin about science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math.
Podcasts:
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
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
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
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
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
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,
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
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
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
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
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
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
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,