Group size up to 60. In all of my presentations, I talk briefly about how I got into my writing career before focusing on the topic selected. I use slides with photos, bring props with me, and encourage participants to interact through questions and whole-group activities. Every session ends with Q&A. Below are short descriptions of several presentations; I’m also happy to tailor a presentation to your class interests and needs.

Rachel Carson Changed Your Life and Mine. But How?: In this presentation, I introduce scientist and science writer Rachel Carson, author of Silent Spring, the book that many credit with launching the environmental movement. I use information about Carson’s life and writing to lead a discussion with participants about people’s relationships with nature, ecosystems, and the environments we live in. For grades 4–8.

We’re All Connected: In this presentation, I use several of my books to introduce connections in nature and in our lives, and I then facilitate an interactive session for participants to think about what these and other connections mean to their own lives. For grades 4–8.

Something’s Fishy!: In this presentation, I talk about some of the amazing facts I learned about salmon when I researched this book, from their migrations, to their life cycle, to the obstacles they face during their lives. I then lead participants through a discussion of ways they can make a difference for salmon—or any fish—living in a stream, lake, or bay nearby. For grades 4–8.

A Brief History of Vaccines: In this presentation, I tell some of the fascinating stories about the people who played a role in vaccine discovery and development over the past 250 years. I then lead participants in a discussion to imagine vaccines and human health of the future. The Q&A at the end of this presentation includes the option to submit anonymous questions about vaccines ahead of time. For grades 6–8.

Group size up to 20. In my workshops, I talk briefly about how I got into my writing career before focusing on the topic selected. I use slides with photos, bring props with me, and lead participants in small-group and individual hands-on activities. Every session ends with Q&A. Below are short descriptions of several workshops; I’m also happy to tailor a workshop to your class interests and needs.

Reading and Writing Nonfiction for Fun!: In this workshop, I lead activities with participants to explore ways to find writing ideas, narrow down a topic, gather information and facts, plan a writing project, do the actual writing, and then revise and polish the piece writing. For grades 4–8.

Write, then Reviseand Revise Some More!: In this workshop, I show examples of my own writing projects and how they evolved with revision, and I then take participants on a journey into the art of revising their own writing or a classmate’s writing. For grades 6–8.

All About the Facts: In this workshop, I introduce the concepts of misinformation and disinformation and lead students through a discussion of how they can find and evaluate information to use in their nonfiction writing projects. We talk about and do activities on different types of sources, the 5 Ws, and lateral reading. For grades 6–8.