Innovative approach to STEM takes students from textbooks to storybooks
Many of us can say that over the course of three weeks, we went to school or work almost every day, did laundry several times and managed to catch the series finale of “Ted Lasso.”
But a group of students in Assistant Professor Chelsea Peters’ May Term class can say something far more impressive: In just three weeks, they conceived of, wrote, illustrated and had printed a children’s book that explains a complex scientific concept. They even planned their own book launch event to unveil their work.
The course, “Science Storytelling,” was part of Roanoke College’s Intensive Learning Term, which allows students to be immersed in one course for several hours each day for three weeks. It is the first time Peters has taught the class, which attracted students from a variety of majors, including biology, environmental studies, elementary education and more.
“I wrote a children’s book when I was working on my Ph.D., and it was super impactful for me,” said Peters, who teaches in the Environmental Studies Program. “I wanted to share that with them.”
Creating a children’s book may sound like a fun project, and it is, but it also achieves an array of learning objectives. Students learn the importance of public outreach and communication within STEM fields, achieve a greater understanding of their chosen book topic, learn how to explain a complicated concept to young readers, and develop the communication literacy necessary to carry out the project from start to finish. They may also experiment with new technologies – for example, Eliana Glover ’24 used Adobe Illustrator for the first time to create her book about the aurora borealis.
“This class made something that seemed so daunting more manageable and tangible,” said Glover, who now has ideas for other children’s books she wants to make.
Book topics ran the gamut from the rainbows to the food chain. Elise Upright ’24 tackled climate change in her book, offering children ideas to help the environment. Jasmine Laramay ’24 created a book that explains how the immune system attacks viruses in the body. A book by Tommy Toombs ’26 teaches kids about predators in the animal kingdom with gems such as, “King cobras are seriously no joke. Their venom is strong enough to make an elephant croak!”
Iva Barnes ’24 and Maddie Hall ’24, who said they’ve been best friends since first grade, teamed up to write a book about the food chain. In their book, children meet an owl who feels sick, so they help him determine the cause (pesticides) by tracing it back through the food chain. Barnes, an elementary education major, said, “I think it’s important to communicate science to all levels, and this is a fun way to use what I make in here in a classroom one day.”
On June 2, students wrapped up the experience with a book launch party at the Salem Public Library, which they planned themselves. The event featured snacks for guests and activities for children. The pride on the students’ faces was apparent – and it matched the look on Peters’ face.
“I’m so proud of them,” she said. “They did such a good job, and it’s nice that they get to walk away with something.”