Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learning
Are you ready for an adventure in learning? Need some STEMspiration in your life? Each episode brings a new adventure as we talk with fascinating guests about connecting real world experiences, multicultural children's literature, and engaged STEM/STEAM learning -- with a little joy sprinkled in for good measure! Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor travels the world in search of the coolest authors, illustrators, educators, adventurers, and STEM thought leaders to share their stories and inspire the WOW for early childhood and elementary educators, librarians, and families! Have an idea for a podcast episode? Share it with diane@drdianeadventues.com Links to the books featured in the weekly podcast can be found here: https://bookshop.org/shop/drdianeadventures Full show notes can be found at: https://www.drdianeadventures.com/blog Please subscribe, like, and review. Your support allows us to keep sharing Adventures in Learning.
Episodes
How can small steps spark significant changes for a healthier planet? Brenda Baker, Vice President of Exhibits, Facilities, and Strategic Initiatives at the Madison Children's Museum, walks us through the newly published (AND FREE) Climate Action Playbook designed to inspire and empower the next generation of environmental stewards. Highlighting the Caretakers of Wonder collaboration and addressing the impacts of...
We’re reimagining the future of education in this episode of the Adventures in Learning podcast with Dr. Annalies Corbin, the chief goddess of the PAST Foundation. Dr. Annalies helps us discover how to bridge the gap between learning and real-world skills while empowering educators and fostering a community of lifelong learners.
Summary:
Drawing from her rich background in anthropology and archaeology, Dr. Annalies addr...
You know Juana Martinez-Neal as the recipient of the 2019 Caldecott Honor for Alma and How She Got Her Name, her debut picture book as author-illustrator. You might also know her as the New York Times bestselling illustrator recipient of the 2020 Robert F. Sibert Medal for Fry Bread: A Native American Story and the 2018 Pura Belpré Medal for Illustration for La Princesa and the Pea. I first fell in love with La Prince...
Feeling overwhelmed by the fast-paced world around you? Discover how to transform burnout into joy and purpose with Dr. Gitima Sharma, as she shares her personal journey and expert insights. Learn practical strategies to cultivate a dynamic sense of purpose and foster connections in a digital era.
Dr Diane leads us through a transformative conversation with Dr. Gitima Sharma, an authority on overcoming burnout. Dive in...
Get ready for some amazing adventures as you plan your summer reading journey with not one, but TWO thrilling middle grade tales of courage, growth, and resilience featuring strong female leads. Happy Book Birthdays to Ann Braden and Caroline Starr Rose! Join us as we unravel the magic behind Into the Rapids and The Burning Season, where young heroines face the fury of nature and discover their inner strength.
Summary:
...
Where Are You, Bronte? celebrates its book birthday this week -- and this book should come with complementary tissues for the adults reading it! Beloved illustrator Barbara McClintock took on the herculean task of illustrating Tomie de Paola's final manuscript. The result is a beautiful collaboration that pays tribute to his style while exploring the universal themes of love, loss, and memory. In the end, our sto...
The Gate, The Girl, and The Dragon is like a mug of hot tea on a snowy day. It warms your soul and sparks the imagination. The characters are memorable and Grace Lin’s lyrical storytelling and gorgeous illustrations are sure to make this an instant beloved classic for families and classrooms everywhere.
In this episode of the Adventures in Learning podcast, Grace Lin delves into the inspirations behind her new book, Th...
What's better than a novel in verse about a wild sea otter rescued by the Monterray Aquarium? A beautiful picture book that tells that otter's story! Award winning author Katherine Applegate returns to chat all things otter, as we explore environmental themes in her magical Odder: An Otter's Story, illustrated by Charles Santoso. We also offer some fun ideas for bringing the book to life in early childh...
How did a humorous military anecdote about a mysterious Dorothy evolve into an enlightening nonfiction picture book about LGBTQIA history? Author Kyle Lukhoff and illustrator Levi Hastings share the creative journey behind Are You a Friend of Dorothy? Kyle and Levi discuss the challenges and joys of representing complex identities in children's literature, emphasizing the importance of these narratives in today&a...
Celebrate Library Week and the freedom to read with acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson. On this episode, we celebrate Laurie's latest release, Rebellion 1776, an adventure that began as Laurie recovered from COVID-19. Inspired by Abigail Adams' smallpox inoculation, this tale unravels the lives of working-class youth in Boston during the American Revolution. Elspeth Culpepper might just change how you pe...
Happy Poetry Month!
This week we welcome Matt Forrest Esenwine, poetry's champion and ambassador, to the podcast to talk about his new anthology, A Universe of Rainbows: Multicolored Poems for a Multicolored World.
What do Yellowstone's Grand Prismatic Spring, Peru's Vinicunca mountain, the star Betelgeuse, and a drop of water have in common? Rainbows!
Embark on a thrilling adventure with Stuart Gibbs, a master of storytelling who turns reluctant readers into avid book enthusiasts. The author behind such hit series as Spy School and Fun Jungle takes us on his creative journey through the realm of middle-grade fiction. Want to know what borborygmus means? We've got you covered (and so does the Once Upon a Tim series). We dive into storytelling and learn how Stua...
Dive into the dynamic world of rap as a powerful tool for youth empowerment with the acclaimed mother/son author duo, Carole Boston Weatherford and Jeffery Boston Weatherford. Discover how their newest picture book RAP IT UP! is transforming classrooms and empowering young voices worldwide.
Summary: In this rollicking episode, we sit down with Carole Boston Weatherford, recipient of the 2025 Children's Literature ...
What if the definition of Home extended beyond walls and roofs to embrace connection to nature and each other? We explore this question with Newbery medalist Matt de la Peña, author of beloved books like Last Stop on Market Street and Carmela Full of Wishes. Matt opens up about his creative process and how real-life experiences influence his writing.
Matt shares how personal anecdotes find their way into his work (thi...
What do starry nebula, Bruce Lee, and disgustingly cool science facts have in common? They are all products of the creative mind of author Teresa Robeson.
In this episode, we welcome back Teresa Robeson, a busy author with a rich background in science and storytelling. Teresa unveils her upcoming books, including Clear and Bright: A Ching Ming Festival Story; Disgustology: The Science of Gross; and a graphic biography...
How do we make science engaging and relevant for students? And why is science literacy more important than ever for how we all live and work? Join Dr. Diane for a thoughtful and fascinating discussion with Ali Stone, the dynamic Chief Operating Officer of Kesler Science.
Join us as we explore Ali's inspiring journey from teaching to innovation and learn how creativity and hands-on learning can spark a lifelong pa...
Show Notes:
Dive into a world where play meets innovation! Discover how WOW! Children's Museum is reshaping STEAM education, fostering creativity, and bridging the gender gap in science for young learners -- even in an increasingly challenging landscape.
Join us as we step into a world of wonder and imagination with Joanna Cagan, WOW's inspiring executive director. For nearly three decades, this muse...
Step into a world where time traveling fantasy meets action-packed history with a joyous celebration of Latinx culture. Join us as author Emma Otheguy unveils the hidden threads connecting Cinco de Mayo and the American Civil War through her magical storytelling in Cousins in the Time of Magic. The book is out 2/25/25, but you can send a text or subscribe to my website this week for a chance to win a copy.
Do you know the story of Yvonne Clark? She was a pioneering African-American problem-solving mechanical engineer who worked on the Saturn V rocket boosters and moon boxes for astronauts. For 55 years, she taught mechanical engineering at Tennessee State University, where her story captivated her student (and later picture book biographer) Allen R. Wells.
Discover how the remarkable legacy of engineer Yvonne Clark is i...
Ever wondered what happens when a classroom becomes a hub of curiosity and discovery? Join us as we dive into the world of Amari Shields, a three-time Teacher of the Year, who transforms science education into a magical experience, inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders.
Summary:
In this episode, we sit down with Amari Shields, the dynamic CEO of Mentored Motivation and a celebrated eighth-grade science teacher....
Popular Podcasts
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
If you eat, sleep, and breathe true crime, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT is serving up your nightly fix. Five nights a week, KT STUDIOS & iHEART RADIO invite listeners to pull up a seat for an unfiltered look at the biggest cases making headlines, celebrity scandals, and the trials everyone is watching. With a mix of expert analysis, hot takes, and listener call-ins, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT goes beyond the headlines to uncover the twists, turns, and unanswered questions that keep us all obsessed—because, at TRUE CRIME TONIGHT, there’s a seat for everyone. Whether breaking down crime scene forensics, scrutinizing serial killers, or debating the most binge-worthy true crime docs, True Crime Tonight is the fresh, fast-paced, and slightly addictive home for true crime lovers.