Posts Tagged nonfiction

STEM Tuesday– Transportation– In the Classroom

By on November 11, 2025   /   STEM Tuesday, Transportation   /   Leave a comment


Books Read

From Here to There Inventions That Change The Way the World Moves Book CoverFrom Here to There: Inventions that Changed the Way the World Moves
by Vivian Kirkfield and Gilbert Ford

This book highlights some of the key inventions that changed how people and things move around the world. Rather than explaining the science of these inventions, it contains mini-biographies about the inventors who created these ground-breaking devices. I learned a lot about how and when different modes of transportation came about, in addition to learning about the people who made them happen.

 

Since I didn’t have easy access to many of the books on this month’s list, I chose to read some other books that also fit into this theme. These “bonus” books are:

Great Train Designs (Engineering Wonders of the 21st Century)Engineering Wonders of the 21st Century: Great Train Designs cover
by Sophie Washburne

I’m a big fan of trains, so I was really interested to learn more about them. Great Train Designs focuses on the science and innovations that have improved train travel over the years. It also explores some of the issues surrounding train travel and takes a brief peak into what the future of train travel might include.

Marvels of Technology: Vehicle & Transport Tech Cover

Vehicle & Transportation Tech (Marvels of Technology)
by Anita Loughley and Alex Woolf

Like the first book, this one highlights many different types of transportation. Unlike From Here to There, Vehicle & Transportation Tech takes a closer look at the science and technology behind the different transportation achievements rather than the people who made them.

Whichever books you choose to read, here are some activities you can pair with them.

Explore Transportation Science and Engineering

Pick a type of transportation that interests you. Now think of a specific mechanism or idea that it uses. Find an experiment to conduct or activity to do that explores this topic. Here are a few you might want to try.

Here are some other collections of activities to explore:

Create a Timeline

Did you notice the dates that different inventions were made? Did any of them surprise you? Create a timeline to track when different transportation innovations came about.

Decide if you want to focus on one type of transportation (like automobiles/cars) or if you want to include all different types of transportation on one timeline.

Think about how you can make the timeline easier to understand. Perhaps all car events are shown in red, boat in blue, and plane in green. If you’re focusing on one type of transportation, maybe safety items are red, movement (including engines and tires/tracks) is blue, and comfort is yellow.

You could break up into teams, with each team focusing on one type of transportation or area within that transportation.
Create a giant timeline that goes around the room. Include images and brief text to highlight each point on the timeline.

Once everyone has completed their part of the timeline, present it. Decide who is going to present each item and how much time they have.

Alternatively, create a video that walks viewers through your timeline.

Research Current News

Do some research to see what’s happening in transportation science and technology these days. There are a few sites that are dedicated to reporting on science news. You may want to start there.

Try different search words and parameters to find transportation-related news stories. You may want to focus on a specific type of transportation that interests you. Report on what you have found.

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Janet Slingerland has written over 2 dozen books for young readers, including Superfast Motorcycle Racing. To learn more about Janet and her books, go to janetsbooks.com

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STEM Tuesday– Zombies (Real and Otherwise)– Kim Long interview

By on October 28, 2025   /   STEM Tuesday, Zombies   /   1 Comment

Welcome to STEM Tuesday: Author Interview, a repeating feature for the last Tuesday of every month. Go Science-Tech-Engineering-Math!

Today we’re exploring the intersection of science and spooky with Kim Long, author of Catching Cryptids: The Scientific Search for Mysterious Creatures (May 6, 2025) by Running Press Kids, illustrated by Nicole Miles. Catching Cryptids explores various technological advances in a fun way by pairing them with mythical creatures and discussing how modern technology could be used to locate or “catch” these beasts. Let’s learn more about Kim and her cryptids!

Want to win a copy of Catching Cryptids? Leave a comment or email Andi Diehn (andi@diehn.net) to be entered into a random drawing! U.S. addresses only, please.

 

Andi Diehn: This seems like a really fun topic to research! How and when did your fascination with cryptids begin?

Kim Long: I’ve always been a huge fan of the strange and weird! When I was a kid I devoured books on the Bermuda Triangle, Bigfoot, Atlantis, and other oddities. I’m also a huge animal lover, so stories about scientists discovering new species are always on my radar. Squid are one of my favorites, and it’s only been in the last twenty years that scientists have been able to even view a squid in its natural habitat. It really makes me think about what else is out there that we haven’t found or been able to verify.

What was your research process like?

 

 

Kim: I think I’ve read every book, magazine article, and blog about cryptids! There are some great texts out there by cryptozoologists who have organized expeditions to find the Mongolian Death Worm and other cryptids. Even more fascinating in some respectsis the work wildlife scientists are doing with the latest tech. For the most part, I’d read an article or blurb in an Internet news story and then track down the actual scientific paper that served as the source for the story. Scientific journal articles list all of their sources (i.e. more articles), which sent me down many a rabbit hole as I pieced together what type of tech could partner with which cryptids.

I love how you explored the technology used in identifying new species and searching for cryptids. Do you think we’ll find even more species every year as technology improves?

Kim: Absolutely! It wasn’t until March 2025 (MARCH 2025!!!) that scientists captured the very first image of a colossal squid in its natural habitat! And it was such a baby! I can’t wait for pics of a full-size colossal squid. There is so much more of the ocean to explore. We haven’t scratched the surface. For land animals, drones make it so much easier to explore hard-to-reach places. And as airborne DNA collection advances, we’ll be able to identify species without even seeing them. That’s huge. Right now, so much is based on eyesight and catching a glimpse, but environmental DNA and airborne DNA open the door to discover where super secretive animals may be hiding.

You manage to pull a lot of threads into this book – climate change, technology, species discovery, sociology, psychology – what is it about cryptids that invites such a layered approach to examination?

Kim: I think the mysterious nature of cryptids opens the door to discussing some aspects that might not lend themselves to traditional wildlife research. If someone says they saw a dog running down the street, there’s no reason to question their opinion. But if someone says they saw a 6-foot bird screeching at them, our eyebrows raise. So, if we assume the person saw something, let’s take a look at what factors might be affecting their opinion, and then we can get into the traditional wildlife science of habitat and what technologies can help figure out what that something is.

Love the career connections in the last chapter! Why include this section?

Kim: When I was a kid, I loved animals and science and the only job I heard about was a veterinarian, which didn’t interest me. I want kids to know that there are tons of fields related to wildlife research, and not all jobs require higher education. Perhaps a kid who’s into computers never thought wildlife coding or programming was an option and will be thrilled to discover that these opportunities exist.

What’s your favorite cryptid – and why?

Kim: Ooooh. This is a tough one!! I love the kraken because WHO KNOWS WHAT’S IN THE DEPTHS OF THE OCEAN??? Plus, so many characteristics of the kraken match the giant squid. But, I also love the Mongolian Death Worm because there absolutely could be a worm/snake creature that lives in the sand. Then there’s Mothman, who’s been sighted in five different states and for over 50 years. And the Loch Ness monster is . . .

OK, I guess it’s fair to say I don’t have a favorite!

Want to win a copy of Catching Cryptids? Leave a comment or email Andi Diehn (andi@diehn.net) to be entered into a random drawing! U.S. addresses only, please.

 

Kim Long is a children’s book author and former attorney. She studied environmental management in college and environmental law in law school. Her love of science, nature, and animals is reflected in her books. While she has not yet spotted a cryptid, she keeps her eyes peeled at all times, waiting for Mothman to make a guest appearance as she bikes along Illinois’s trails.

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STEM Tuesday– Zombies (Real and Otherwise)– In the Classroom

By on October 14, 2025   /   STEM Tuesday, Zombies  

 

Monsters, zombies, and other scary creatures star in tales throughout the year, but especially near Halloween! These books explore a wide range of creatures, both real and imagined, to get imaginations flowing. They make a great starting point for classroom discussions and activities!

 

Zombie Makers: True Stories of Nature’s Undead

by Rebecca L. Johnson

Zombies are real … but so far, the zombie-makers don’t attack humans. Yet. They do take over the brains and bodies of spiders, ants, flies, snails, and even rats. Not only that, some of these zombies are too small to avoid until it’s too late, like the teeny tiny wasps and fungal spores, and the totally invisible viruses. And then there are the brain worms! A must-read for anyone planning to hunt for zombies in their backyard!

 

Classroom Activity – Nature’s Mind Controllers

How do parasites, fungi, and viruses “take over” animal behavior? Divide students into small groups. Each group should choose a “zombie-maker” to explore. The students should research how their chosen parasite/fungus/virus infects its host and how it changes the host’s behavior. They can create a poster illustrating the life cycle of the zombie-maker, including infection, control, and transmission. They can be creative with labels, arrows, or thought bubbles to show how the host is being controlled. How does this strange behavior help the parasite survive? Each group can present its “zombie story” to the class.

 

Catching Cryptids: The Scientific Search for Mysterious Creatures

by Kim Long

The Loch Ness monster. Kraken. Giant turtles. What some people call monsters, others call cryptids: an animal whose existence is not yet substantiated by science. The emergence of DNA technology, SONAR, bioacoustics, and other advancements has enabled cryptozoologists of every stripe to seek – and sometimes discover – the species behind the monster myth.

 

Classroom Activity – Design Your Own Cryptid

Students can use their imaginations to design a brand-new cryptid, a mysterious creature that people might believe exists but hasn’t been proven by science. Students should describe:

  • What it looks like
  • Where it lives and how it survives
  • Typical diet and behavior
  • How it hides from humans
  • What real animal or adaptation could explain it
  • What scientific tests could be used to prove this creature’s existence

Once students have designed their cryptid, have them draw or create a 3D model of it. Students can also write a short newspaper article or “eyewitness report” about their cryptid discovery.

 

Secrets of the Dead: Mummies and Other Human Remains From Around the World

by Matt Ralphs

In most environments, when someone dies, their flesh decays, leaving only bones. But not mummies. With mummified remains, we can learn about the person and their culture, including the foods they ate and the diseases they suffered from. This book brings nearly 20 mummies to life – so to speak.

 

Classroom Activity – Mummy Lessons

Scientists can learn a lot about the past from mummies, including diet, health, clothing, and burial customs. Have students select one real mummy from the book and create a Mummy Fact Card that summarizes where it was found, how it was preserved, and what scientists learned. Next, it is the students’ turn to become archaeologists. Have them imagine they just discovered a mummy. What clues would they look for to understand its story? Have the students write a diary entry from the archaeologist’s perspective about the discovery.

 

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Carla Mooney loves to explore the world around us and discover the details about how it works. An award-winning author of numerous nonfiction science books for kids and teens, she hopes to spark a healthy curiosity and love of science in today’s young people. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, three kids, and dog. Find her at http://www.carlamooney.com, on Facebook @carlamooneyauthor, or on X @carlawrites.

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