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Thank you, Dr. Stephanie Ryan, Ph.D. for joining me today on the Born To Talk Radio Show Podcast.
Stephanie Ryan.
To start with, Stephanie Ryan is a mom, scientist, educator, and now author. Her dad was an engineer. She became interested in science as a young girl. Stephanie saw science as an adventure rather than an intimidating subject matter. She has made it her career to understand how students learn science. Stephanie is especially interested in how she can help them do that in a non-traumatic way that doesn’t leave them saying, “I hated chemistry!” when they are adults.
Ryan Education Consulting.
In Ryan Education Consulting, much of her work now centers around developing authentic curricular materials and assessments for K-12 and college students. They deliver research-based educational products for both K-16 and corporate settings. Ryan Education Consulting utilizes learning theory and content expertise to develop content that will stick with people (students or employees) and/or truly assess what they understand.
Let’s Learn about Chemistry.
From the Author: The book addresses chemical and physical changes using everyday scenarios. The main characters of the book get to explore solids, liquids, and gases using familiar things like water, soccer balls, and dolls. Also, she introduces the different levels we use to describe matter: macroscopic, submicroscopic, microscopic, and symbolic. These experiences will prime early learners for the concept of molecules and matter we aren’t able to see. This young age is the perfect window to take advantage of a child’s natural curiosity and begin to get children comfortable with scientific language, the scientific method, and the thought processes of scientists. Our children can grow into life-long critical thinkers and questioners of the world around them. I see books like Let’s Learn about Chemistry as serving an essential part of childhood education. Here is the link to her book.
Stephanie shared a couple of stories from her book, including which of these things are not like the other?
Stephanie’s Takeaway.
Science is for everyone. That does not mean everyone is wearing a lab coat.
STEM, Science, Technology, Engineering Mathematics, education can be started out of the womb!
There are loads of resources out there for parents so that they don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Here is one she mentioned. Kiwico. Science & Art projects for kids 5-8 and 9-16
Parents have more experience with science and math in their life experience than they give themselves credit for! But help your kids figure things out, rather than just give them the solutions.
My Takeaway.
In closing, as you listen to this podcast, you will hear plenty of suggestions that make adding science into the lives of your children or grandchildren from a very young age. For example, without even knowing it, your conversations could be doing just that. Stephanie provides excellent examples from making a yogurt parfait with her son to making a lava lamp. I recommend you check out her Instagram and her TikTok account.
Thank you, Stephanie!
As a result of our conversation, I have a renewed interest in science and how experimenting can be fun!
Conversations + Connections = Community
Making the world a better place. One Story at a time.
What’s Your Story? I want to share it.
