Chalk + Ink: Season 1; Episode 16

Interview with Middle Grade Science Teacher and
STEM Author, ​Jennifer Swanson

Welcome back to Chalk + Ink: The Podcast for Teachers Who Write and Writers Who Teach. Meet middle grade science teacher and STEM author, Jennifer Swanson. Jen is the author of forty-five books, most of which cover different STEM topics.

In this episode, Jen talks about how expository texts are filled with tiny bits of information that fuel children's curiousity, how writers need to do their research in order to learn the voices and genres of different houses before submitting and the importance of painting pictures in students' and readers' minds. The best aspect of this interview is Jen's voice radiates excitement throughout the podcast as she delves into various science topics throughout the conversation. Jen's enthusiasm makes me want to check out the science podcast she started for kids called Solve It! for Kids.

Obviously we couldn't talk about all of Jen's books in one episode; however, we did talk about the following titles:

1) Astronaut, Aquanaut
Jen assured listeners that aquanaut isn't a made up term. She's super proud of the fact that the book features forwards by Katherine Sullivan, the first female US astronaut to walk in space and Fabien Costeau, an aquanaut and grandson ofJacques Costeau. I talked about how I loved that she talks about the severe cold of Wisconsin weathers when gauging readers tolerance for cold, which is a necessity for astronauts and aquanauts.

2) Everything You Need to Know to Ace Chemistry In One Big Fat Notebook
Even though Jen majored in chemistry in college, she had to do a lot of research to reflect the changes in the field in order to write this book.

3)Beastly Bionics
Jen is super excited that this book won the gold Florida Book Award for books for older readers. It's also on Disney's Summer Reading List. This book is all about how biomimicry is used to invent technology that helps us solve problems.

4) Save the Crash-Test Dummies!
This book is told through the lens of a crash test dummy and it won a Parents' Choice Gold Award. 

5) Brain Games
Jen talks about how she broke into the trade industry with Nat Geo's Brain Games. It's filled with optical illusions and fun facts about how the brain functions. When I was researching for this episode I showed my husband Brain Games and he became visible excited about the book and said he would have loved to have that book as a child.

6) Super Gear: Nanotechnology and Sports Team Up
Out of all these fantastic books, Super Gear is my favorite because it's filled with information about how nanotechnology gives elite runners a boost. As I read the book, I kept texting pictures about how nanotechnology works to my oldest son who runs for Northeastern. He was pretty excited and wanted to know what book I was reading.

In addition to Jen's books, we talk about STEM Tuesday which is a group Jen cofounded. Each month STEM Tuesday features a new topic. The first week of each month they publish a list of recommended books about the topic. Some of the books are new while other books can be obtained at your local library. The second week they feature a STEAM or ELA activity about the topic. The third week they give writing tips. For the fourth week, they interview the author. If you leave a comment on the blog, you're eligible to win a book from the author. So, don't miss out on a free book-check out STEM Tuesday and leave a comment!

Jen recommends every upper elementary classroom have the following books:

1) Whoosh! by Chris Barton and Don Tate
​This book shows how astronaut Lonnie Johnson turned failure into fun.

2) If Sharks Disappeared by Lily Williams
This books helps kids learn about the environment and biodiversity.

3) Nat Geo Kids Everything Books
These expository books let readers delve into specific topics.

​4) How They Croaked and How They Choked by Georgia Bragg
Not only will these books grab students' attention, Jen points out that they're great resources for studying author's craft.

5) Gravity by Jason Chin
Jen loves how Jason Chin visually shows readers how gravity works.  

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Also, a huge shout out to Sarah Brannen for the Chalk + Ink podcast art. Sarah's newest book, Summertime Sleepers, which is written by Melissa Stewart, will be available in bookstores on April 27th. Be sure to check it out.

Happy listening!