Girls in Science (3:04)

If you’re the kind of person who cares about children, learning, and literacy, you’ll have concern for the following: Research shows that interest in science and math typically drops off beginning in 4th grade. What’s up with that? Rachel Wadham welcomes BYU Chemistry Professor, Rebecca Sansom to this episode of Worlds Awaiting. Sansom has a particular interest in women in science who have made an impact in the world. Rebecca is co-founder of BYU’s Chem Camp for elementary aged students. She also has served for a year as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow at the National Science Foundation in Arlington, Virginia, following eight years as a high school science teacher in Massachusetts and Utah. Sansom has masters degrees in chemistry and education from Harvard University and Southern Utah University and is pursuing her doctorate in Educational Inquiry, Measurement, and Evaluation.

Live Theatre (14:48)

Next, Teresa Love joins Rachel on Worlds Awaiting to talk about sets, lighting, costumes, and even puppets. Live theatre is wonderful storytelling for children. Teresa Love has been working as a drama/theatre specialist for over 30 years. She currently teaches at BYU in the Theatre and Media Arts Department, instructing school teachers about the value of drama in elementary schools. She also teaches a course in storytelling. Love participates as a professional development partner with the Beverly Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Project. She recently directed Water Sings Blue with BYU’s Theatre for Young Audiences known as The Young Company. The play is based on Kate Coombs’ award winning poetry book about the ocean.

Favorite Books (26:00)

We finish up the show today with 3 children - Josh, Brooke, and Kira - who talked to me about some of their favorite books.