Posts by Mark Taylor
211: Superheroes of Science with Katy Alexander
Superheroes of science set to come to life in new comic book from The Remarkablz
A new comic book is turning real-life science heroes into superheroes, bringing diverse pioneers of science and engineering to a new generation of young readers in an exciting and engaging format. The Remarkablz is the brainchild of London-based illustrator and game designer Katy Alexander, bringing the stories of scientists and engineers – particularly women, individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds and people with disabilities – to life for children aged 6-12.
Radioactive Fallout: Katsuko’s Story reimagines the life and accomplishments of Japanese biochemist Dr Katsuko Saruhashi, known for revealing the spread and impact of radioactive fallout from atomic tests in the Pacific, helping bring an end to above-ground nuclear testing. The comic book traces the amazing adventures of young Katsuko as she gains her superpowers, battles supervillains and discovers her passion for science.
Created for children aged 6-12, and produced with dyslexia-friendly fonts, the new comic is designed to inspire, educate and excite young readers, with 24 pages of exciting artwork and storytelling backed up with engaging educational activities and a full biography of Katsuko.
The Remarkablz is a small family-run business set up to help combat the lack of diversity in games and books. Building on the success of its Top Quarkz card game, The Remarkablz is partnering with educational comic specialists Dekko Comics and artist Fernando Corrales Linares to raise £7,500 through a new Kickstarter campaign to produce and print the full book.
Creator of The Remarkablz, Katy Alexander, said:
“I am in awe of Dr Katsuko Saruhashi’s scientific discoveries, incredible life and positive impact on our world. Radioactive Fallout reimagines Katsuko’s life as a young girl, how she gains her superpowers and comes to join The Remarkablz as one of our science superheroes. I’m excited about blending her real-life story with imagined superhero adventures. The comic book creates an engaging educational tool for parents and teachers wanting to share the huge achievements of diverse scientists, engineers and inventors who have shaped the world in which we live. Our Kickstarter campaign will help us to produce and print an amazing 24-page comic book full of fun and fast-paced adventure for young readers, interweaving Katsuko’s real-story with superhero fantasy.”
The Kickstarter campaign will reward supporters with copies of Radioactive Fallout and more depending on their level of support, including science superhero posters, stickers, colouring sheets, The Remarkablz: Black Hole card game and The Remarkablz: Top Quarkz card game.
Through her games and books, Katy Alexander explores the importance of diversity in science through the power of storytelling and play.
“I created The Remarkablz to inspire the next generation of science superheroes. Positive and diverse role models shape attitudes, ignite aspirations and transform lives. When my daughter was three, she only ever saw depictions of male astronauts and questioned whether she, as a girl, could go to space. As a person with dyslexia, I grew up with no dyslexic role models, and the impact this had on the choices I made and how I saw my place in the world was enormous. I didn’t want the same for her. I developed The Remarkablz to find role models that my daughter, nieces and nephews could relate to. The people who create rockets, travel through space, discover comets, stop above-ground nuclear testing, are – to me – superhuman, so I turned them into actual superheroes where their real-life superpowers can be celebrated.”
The Kickstarter campaign for Radioactive Fallout: Katsuko’s Story is live now for supporters to get behind: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/katy-alexander/radioactive-fallout
Website
https://www.theremarkablz.com/
Social Media Information
https://www.instagram.com/theremarkablz/
https://www.facebook.com/TheRemarkablz/
Show Sponsor
The National Association for Primary Education speaks for young children and all who live and work with them. Get a FREE e-copy of their professional journal at nape.org.uk/journal
Children’s books on Climate Change and Ocean Plastics – NAPE 071
Ellie Jackson is the bestselling children’s author of the Wild Tribe Heroes series of true environmental books for primary children. Each book follows a well loved animal as it gets into trouble due to an environmental issue such as ocean plastic, deforestation or climate change. Free teaching resources and curriculum maps support the books for each key stage.
Ellie is a teacher and mother of four from Cornwall who is passionate about inspiring the next generation to protect our planet.
Website
Social Media Information
Fb, Insta & Twitter
@wildtribeheroes
The National Association for Primary Education speaks for young children and all who live and work with them. Get a FREE e-copy of their professional journal at nape.org.uk/journal
210: The Resilience Project with David Gumbrell
Recruitment, Retention and Resilience are intertwined and have become the new Three Rs. If we accept that Recruitment is hard, then Retention becomes that much more important. If Retention is hard, then Resilience becomes the key. Put simply, we need to start more conversations in school about well-being and Resilience. Luckily, The Resilience Project can do just that and can provide you with multiple ways to start this vital dialogue.
David Gumbrell is an author and speaker on resilience and well-being. He has been a teacher in Surrey for over 20 years, in five different schools across the county. He has worked his way up from NQT to Headship, holding positions of responsibility, including NQT mentoring, along the way. Throughout his career, he always endeavoured to develop a team, to nurture an individual teacher’s career and to protect the well-being of children and staff. The Resilience Project is a natural progression to this and David now offers you a diverse range of opportunities to get a conversation on resilience started in your school or context.
Website
www.theresilience-project.co.uk
Social Media
Twitter @Auribins
Resources Mentioned
Show Sponsor
The National Association for Primary Education speaks for young children and all who live and work with them. Get a FREE e-copy of their professional journal at nape.org.uk/journal
As rich in humanity as in knowledge – NAPE 070
Following the success of our conference on 6th March 2021 – Towards a Balanced and Broadly Based Curriculum – Dr. Tony Eaude has a follow up conversation with presenter Clare Whyles (Deputy Head) and Tina Farr (Headteacher) of St Ebb’s C of E (Aided) Primary School.
St Ebb’s have been on a journey which has seen their curriculum transformed. We get to hear the ideas, aims, successes and struggles involved in doing this which we hope can provide insight, inspiration and understanding of what is possible.
You can listen to Dr. Tony Eaude’s Schiller Lecture and the follow up Q&A on episodes 65 & 66 of the nape podcast: https://nape.org.uk/nape-podcast
To keep up to date with all of our events and get a FREE e-copy of our professional journal Primary First please visit: https://nape.org.uk/journal
209: Nurture Resilience, Empathy & Global Citizenship with Lyfta
Lyfta is an award-winning immersive learning platform where teachers can easily build or curate powerful, interactive and curriculum-aligned lessons that bring learning to life.
Lyfta helps educators to engage and inspire digitally-native children and young people; foster critical skills and values for navigating our changing world; and broaden horizons by giving children and young people opportunities to see beyond their everyday realities.
Lyfta offers a series of immersive learning environments called storyworlds, where students can explore real life human stories through stunning 360° environments, high quality films and digital content.
The interactivity and immersive nature of the content, the powerful human stories, and the carefully designed tasks and activities, combine to create truly unique, compelling and impactful learning experiences.
Serdar Ferit Co-CEO and Co-Founder is a filmmaker, digital experience designer, and teacher who has won numerous awards and worked in over 20 countries on film, new media and education projects. As an early adopter of 360 degree storytelling and Virtual Reality (VR), in 2010 Serdar learned how to take and construct 360 degree film and images and has been working on immersive stories using this medium ever since.
Website
Webinar training https://www.lyfta.com/training
https://www.lyfta.com/blog-storage/values-through-sport
Social Media
twitter.com/LyftaEd
Leanne Millingen is a year 4 teacher at Manor Park Primary, part of the LEO Academy Trust.
Leanne explains the numerous ways she uses Lyfta with her school and LEO Trust. This ranges from immersive themed activities to the ongoing nurturing of the global citizens of tomorrow.
twitter.com/ManorParkSchSM1
twitter.com/LEOacademies
Show Sponsor
The National Association for Primary Education speaks for young children and all who live and work with them. Get a FREE e-copy of their professional journal at nape.org.uk/journal