As an educator and ecologist, I was looking for a way to do more nature outreach. This led to me starting the Science Storytime project, where I go into local businesses, libraries, and nature centers to read a nature-themed book.
The idea is that the organization can choose a time that is usually less busy to host my storytime, which will bring more customers or visitors there. Although the event will be free to attend, there will be a registration process to make sure there aren’t too many attendees, as these storytime lessons will work best with 10-15 children at most.
Lessons
Currently, I am only offering one Science Storytime lesson, but I plan to add more in the coming months. Read on for the format of this lesson!
Evelyn the Adventurous Entomologist by Christine Evans
Ages: 5-10 years old
10 min
- Introduce myself, the bug net quiet signal, and the book title.
- What is an entomologist? Talk about other “ologists” (zoologist, oceanologist)
- Define entomologist.
- Ask children to look around and point to a bug they see.
- Ask children what their favorite bug is.
- Briefly discuss my work studying the blue calamintha bee.
15 min
- Read the book.
10 min
- Show children some bugs from my collection. Let them use a magnifying glass to look more closely.
- Send kids home with an activity sheet.
2023 Pricing
- First storytime: free
- Future storytimes: $50
- Registration, if the organization does not want to be in charge of registering attendees, can be done digitally via my Eventbrite page. I will share the link and a QR code with the organization to use in announcing the event: $25
- A reel about the storytime on my instagram mentioning the organization (currently at 1150 followers)—I will share it on my page, optionally with the organization’s account listed as a collaborator: $30
- Add organization’s logo on the take-home activity sheet: $20
- Travel fee applicable if outside a 30-mile radius of Little Lake Bryan in Orlando.