Available for in-person visits: Sudbury (and locations situated within drive of 2 hours or less)
Craft: Author
Genre: Non-Fiction
Target Audience: Kindergarten to Grade 12
Cost for School and Public Presentation: $250.00, plus applicable taxes
Biography
At some point, every kid starts asking “Why?” L. E. Carmichael never stopped. As a PhD candidate, she uncovered new reasons why arctic foxes are the coolest; as a forensic scientist, she found out why bears sometimes get away with murder. As a writer, she follows her sense of wonder to the “whys” of subjects as diverse as nature, the environment, medicine, and technology. The award-winning author of more than 20 STEM books for children and young adults, Lindsey writes to spark her readers’ curiosity and ignite their imaginations. Packed with “oh wow!” and “I never knew that!”, her books reveal the process of discovery and the stories behind the science. A popular speaker, Lindsey’s school visits encourage inquiry and kindle a love of life-long learning. Lindsey loves beaches, platypuses, and all things fantasy. She’s fascinated by the moment when facts reveal truth.
Presentation Information:
Presentation 1: (Ant)Arctic Adaptations: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth (Grades 4-6)
The polar regions are bitterly cold, freeze-dried wildernesses, where the wind can blow harder than hurricanes. They are also the only places on Earth where day—and night—last up to six months. And yet, many animals not only survive in these extreme environments, they thrive! After a brief introduction to the Arctic and Antarctica, kids will be asked to brainstorm a list of polar species. We’ll discuss the adaptations that help their favourite animals stay warm, find food, and raise their babies, all in two of the harshest habitats on the planet. Then, we’ll explore the extreme adaptations of some less-familiar species… including one that protects itself with projectile vomit!
This presentation draws on Lindsey’s experience living in the Arctic, her PhD research on northern wolves and arctic foxes, and her favourite facts from her all-new STEM book, Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth. It reinforces several concepts in elementary science curricula, including: adaptations, biodiversity, climate change, habitat, life cycles and migration.
Format: Virtual or in-person.
Presentation 2: What’s Your Book About? How to Decide What to Leave Out (Grades 4-6)
This presentation is modular for maximum flexibility; it can be condensed to create a 30-minute STEM presentation for Kindergarten-Grade 3; for Grades 7-12, Lindsey will emphasize writing and revision strategies over fun facts.
“What’s your book about?” is the second most common thing people ask a writer—just after “Where do you get your ideas?” But before we can tell other people, we have to be able to tell ourselves. Knowing what the book is really about lets us research efficiently, revise strategically, and avoid time-consuming tangents… producing a final draft that’s concise, cohesive, and effective. In this presentation, Lindsey will share the coolest animal facts that aren’t in The Boreal Forest, and explain exactly why she cut them. Then, we’ll walk through each draft of the book’s opening scene, exploring the step-by-step decision-making process of rewriting.
Throughout the program, two-minute writing challenges will give students a chance to apply these techniques to their own manuscripts.
Format: Virtual or in-person.
Book List
Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth (Kids Can Press, 2023)
The Boreal Forest: A Year in the World’s Largest Land Biome (Kids Can Press, 2020)
Forensics in the Real World (ABDO Publishing, 2017)
Innovations in Entertainment (Crabtree Publishing, 2016)
Innovations in Health (Crabtree Publishing, 2016)
Discover Forensic Science (Lerner, 2016)
The Science Behind Gymnastics (Capstone, 2016)
How Can We Reduce Agricultural Pollution? (Lerner, 2016)
Forensic Science: In Pursuit of Justice (ABDO Publishing, 2015)
How Do Video Games Work? (Lerner, 2015)
What Are Programs and Apps? (Lerner, 2015)
Amazing Feats of Civil Engineering (ABDO Publishing, 2014)
Fuzzy Forensics: DNA Fingerprinting Gets Wild (Ashby-BP Publishing, 2014)
Living with Scoliosis (ABDO Publishing, 2014)
Living with Obesity (ABDO Publishing, 2014)
Gene Therapy (ABDO Publishing, 2013)
Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (ABDO Publishing, 2013)
Fox Talk: How Some Very Special Animals Helped Scientists Understand Communication (Ashby-BP Publishing, 2013)
The Scientific Method in the Real World (ABDO Publishing, 2013)
Locust Migration (The Child's World, 2012)
Humpback Whale Migration (The Child's World, 2012)
Wildebeest Migration (The Child's World, 2012)
Zebra Migration (The Child's World, 2012)