I love visiting schools and libraries! Speaking to kids face-to-face is one of my favorite perks of being an author. Talks are typically geared either toward writing or science (see examples below), and each include dedicated Q&A time.
If you have a specific theme in mind that isn’t listed, let’s chat! I’m more than happy to work with special requests.
Contact me via the form on this website or at rebecca [dot] ef [dot] barone [at] gmail [dot] com
Science-y presentations
“Solid, liquid, and gas…or not so easy?” – explores materials that do not conveniently fit into elementary material definitions. Uses hands-on manipulation of Ooblek (1 per student) to describe viscoelastic materials. Discusses applications of these weird materials with a focus on biomaterials. Appropriate for grades 5+ (45 min; max 30 students per session)
“The greatest machine you’ll ever own” – physics of the musculoskeletal system. How the complex structures of our body facilitate walking and how these structures respond to injury. Describes motion-capture – the same technology which facilitates research is what Hollywood uses for special effects! Adaptable and appropriate for grades 4-6, 7/8, or high school audiences (45 min; small to large audiences)
Author-y presentations
“I want to be a writer! …now what?” – the surprising true stories of writers: how we make a living and the varied jobs that qualify as “writing.” (e.g. editor, agent, freelancer, ghostwriter, and – of course – author). How non-traditional jobs like engineering or computer science may easily feed into a career as a writer. Adaptable and appropriate for elementary, middle, or high school audiences (45 min; small to large audiences)
“Truth is never boring!” – an examination of narrative non-fiction and how it is transforming the world of popular science and biography. Describe and workshop techniques to make “dull” details pop. Students should bring a piece of their own non-fiction work. Appropriate for middle or high school audiences (60 min; max 20 students)
“Fiction or fact” – just because something is fun to read doesn’t mean it’s made-up! We’ll read selections of stories and discuss “tricks” the author used to make the real-life tale seem like something out of a novel. Appropriate for grades 4-6 (60 min; max 25 students)
