Tag: inclusion

Kachala, Elaine (Toronto, Ontario)

The Writer’s Union of Canada, SCBWI, & CANSCAIP; National Science Teaching Association/Children’s Book Council Best STEM Books K-12, Red Cedar Book Awards (Shortlisted), SCBWI Golden Kite Award (Finalist-NF Text for Older Readers), Children’s Book Council (Hot off the Press), Best Books (Canadian Children’s Book Centre), Best S&L Books (Tinlids), Top Grade CanLit for the Classroom, & TEACH Magazine.

Presentations (in-person): $250 for one session (30-60 minutes), $450 for two, $675 for three, and $900 for a full day (four sessions). Plus a travel fee of $0.50/km if outside Toronto. 

Elaine Kachala is a health-policy researcher, writer, adviser, and children’s author. She is the author of Superpower? The Wearable-Tech Revolution (Orca Book Publishers). Part of the popular Orca Think nonfiction series, this book is a fascinating look into how the same technologies that help and heal us also pose ethical concerns. Elaine delivers an exciting presentation and brings a unique perspective to the topic of wearable technology that kids and educators find intriguing!

Two thumbs up! Kids, parents, teachers, and librarians say that Elaine’s book and presentations inspire young people to wonder about inventing technology for a better world. 

BOOKS:

Superpower? The Wearable-Tech Revolution, Orca Book Publishers, 2022, illustrated by Belle Wuthrich. Themes: Technology & Society / Wearable Computing / Inventions / Young Inventors / Robotics/ Responsible Design / STEM / STEAM / Human-Machine Evolution / Critical-thinking / Teamwork / Diversity & Inclusion.

A free teaching guide is available.

STUDENT PRESENTATIONS:

Grades 4-8

Do you wonder how wearable technology (the next wave of computing), changes us and society? 

Can innovation go too far? 

How do we design responsible technology to gain benefits and mitigate harm?

Are you interested in stories about inventors, including young inventors, and how they’re navigating the next tech frontier?

Curious about what it’s like to be a children’s author?

Elaine will cover these topics and more through an engaging, interactive, and tailored presentation.

Following a brief introduction about myself, I’ll draw from pre-reading questions in the Teacher’s Guide to activate students’ background knowledge and excite them about the subject of wearable technologies.

I’ll highlight what wearable technology is and how it works, with examples of how wearables  impact our lives and change the world.

I’ll introduce students to some of the experts in the book. They’ll meet inventors, engineers, scientists, and young people who see a problem and create technology to solve it. But the experts face a dilemma when their devices have unintended consequences; we’ll discuss this dilemma. 

I’ll briefly speak about what it’s like to be a nonfiction children’s author and to write this book.

I’ll use slides for visuals, and there will be a Q/A opportunity.

I’ll have bookmarks and a Get Brainstorming Activity (from the book) for handouts. 

Elaine’s happy to lead small or large groups. She’ll present to classes individually or grouped but asks that they’re grouped appropriately by grade level (i.e., 4-6; 7-8)

EDUCATORS:

Are you seeking a helpful STEM/STEAM and social studies resource for the revised science and technology curriculum? Superpower? and the accompanying Teacher’s Guide helps readers connect STEM/STEAM topics from school with the effects of science and tech on their lives and the world.

Presentation: CAUTION! Move Slow + Think Human: Helping Students Consider the Pros, Cons, and Ethics of Technology Design and Use.

Wearable computing is the next tech frontier that will change our lives. It’s a topic steeped in a fantastic mix of benefits, risks, and ethical problems. Drawing from Superpower? Elaine will explain how scientists, engineers, designers, and young inventors navigate with responsible design—an approach to complement the engineering and design process and human-centered design thinking. By highlighting controversial technologies and examples from the accompanying Guide, this session will show how to prompt students’ critical thinking about the pros, cons, and ethics of technology and why inventors are calling for a societal debate—let’s talk!

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:

I use PowerPoint, so I need a projector, screen, and extension cord. Water would be great too! And lunch and coffee if I’m staying for the day. A microphone for larger groups, in the gym, or if the room acoustics are questionable.

Contact Elaine to book a visit:

    Clendenan, Megan (Vancouver, BC)

    An award-winning author of both non-fiction and fiction, Megan Clendenan lives in Vancouver, BC. She is a member of the Writers’ Union of Canada and presents in English to grades 3 through 9. Her books have STEM, environmental, social justice, innovation, inclusion, sustainability, friendship, and perseverance themes.

    In-person rates: $250 for one one-hour session, $450 for two, $675 for three, $900 for a full day (four sessions). Travel fee if outside Metro Vancouver of $0.50/km. Virtual visit rates: $150 for a one-hour session, $125 for each additional session on the same day.

    Megan loves writing non-fiction that explores the connections between history, society, and the environment. She is the author of three middle-grade nonfiction books: DESIGN LIKE NATURE:BIOMIMICRY FOR A HEALTHY PLANET, which earned a starred review from School Library Journal (2021, co-authored with Kim Ryall Woolcock), FRESH AIR, CLEAN WATER: OUR RIGHT TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT (2022), which won the 2023 Green Earth Book Award, and CITIES: HOW HUMANS LIVE TOGETHER (2023). She is also the author of a middle-grade novel, OFFBEAT (2018). When she’s not writing or reading, Megan is often running or biking on her local trails, or learning how to grow food in her backyard.

    Presentations for Grades 3-9

    Problem-Solve with Nature

    Can we learn from nature to solve environmental problems and live in better harmony with our world? Yes, yes we can! In this presentation drawing from DESIGN LIKE NATURE, students have an opportunity to learn about the exciting new science field of biomimicry and how it can help us adapt in the face of climate change. Students will have the chance to use their creativity to sketch their own biomimicry invention.

    Best for grades 3-6

    What Makes a City a Good Place to Live?

    Drawing from CITIES: HOW HUMANS LIVE TOGETHER, this presentation looks at the history of cities and how they can be more sustainable and inclusive places for all people to live. Students will discuss what makes an ideal city, and learn about issues like food security, population growth, transportation, renewable power sources, and safe water. Includes interactive and hands-on activities.

    Best for grades 3-7

    Exploring Positive Ways to Create Change

    Drawing from FRESH AIR, CLEAN WATER: OUR RIGHT TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT this presentation introduces social and environmental justice and kid activists from around the world. The presentation is grounded in hope and includes interactive activities that give students a chance to learn about activism, human rights, government systems, laws, equality, and citizen science.

    Best for grades 4-8

    From Spark to Fire: Developing Story Ideas

    How does a book get from the kernel of an idea to an entire story? In this workshop, Megan explores how sparks of ideas are fueled into stories and the creativity behind that process. She uses writing prompts that get students’ creativity revved up! She also talks about being an author and saves time for Q&A.

    Best for grades 6-9

    Write, Rewrite, Repeat!

    After you’ve written your first draft, the fun of revising begins! This presentation focuses on techniques for revision, and that it can be a fun part of the creative process. Megan will use examples from her published books and show students her early drafts, the editing process, and then the final product. She also talks about being an author and saves time for Q&A.

    Best for grades 6-9

    For in-person visits, connecting her Mac laptop to a projector is helpful. For virtual visits, Megan can use Zoom or Google Meet, and she can adapt to other platforms. Screen sharing helps her show fun examples! Megan prefers to present in either the classroom or the library. 35-40 max group size preferred for one session.

    Contact Megan to book a visit:

      Bradley, Sandra   (Kingston, Ontario)

      Sandra is a member of the Writers’ Union of Canada, the Canadian Children’s Book Centre and the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Her debut picture book, Henry Holton Takes the Ice (Dial, 2015), was an OLA Blue Spruce Award nominee and a Maine Chickadee Award nominee. The title was featured in a number of journals and magazines, such as Today’s Parent, and was celebrated by comedian Ray Romano as he joined a cast of other Hollywood personalities for the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Storyline Online.

      Sandra is an experienced classroom presenter. As a Clinical Social Worker (OCSWSSW) with almost thirty years of experience in working with children and their families, she offers a unique perspective to school visits. Sandra is very happy to travel and has visited TDSB schools on many occasions. Her rates are $300 for one session, $500 for two, $700 for three, or $900 for a full day (four sessions). Her travel fee is $0.68/km for school visits made outside the Kingston area. Sandra also offers virtual visits which are $200 and up, depending on the number of classes and time spent presenting.  

      Sandra begins presentations by chatting with students about some classic children’s picture books, as well as finding out if they have any favourite books they would like to share. Sandra then reads whichever book the school desires (Henry Holton Takes the Ice or Cocoa Magic). She can tailor presentations to the school’s requests, however, most of her workshops focus on either the subjects of inclusion and/or empathy or the craft of writing. Sandra’s presentations are fun, lively, and interactive.

      Sandra is comfortable with any group size up to one hundred students though she prefers single or double class groups. She is happy to present in a classroom or library and requires only a projector screen and laptap suitable for a PowerPoint presentation.

      Contact Sandra to book a visit: