Show Notes
In this episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast... Katie talks with Rudo Kashiri, science educator, children’s book author, and former NASA educator, about how science, storytelling, and hands-on learning can help children develop stronger reading skills, build background knowledge, and become more curious learners.
📩 Subscribe to The Reading Symphony on Substack Get practical literacy tips, science-of-reading insights, and evidence-based strategies to help children become stronger readers. Subscribe here: 👉 https://katiemegrian.substack.com/
👤 About Rudo Kashiri Rudo Kashiri is a National Board Certified science educator, children’s book author, and founder of Curious Minds Explorers Publishing. A retired NASA science educator, she now combines storytelling and interactive science to make STEM accessible and engaging for young learners.
🔗 Rudo’s Links: Curious Minds Explorers Publishing: https://www.curiousmindsexplorerspublishing.com/ Rudo’s Learning Resources & Substack: https://substack.com/@curiousmindsexplorerspublishing
Chapters 00:00 – How Storytelling Makes Science Easasier to Understand 00:52 – Meet Rudo Kashiri 02:06 – How a Love of Science Led to NASA 03:54 – What Is STEM? 04:17 – Teaching Science Through Stories 05:31 – How NASA Inspired Rudo’s Children’s Books 06:25 – Combining Science, Reading and Hands-On Learning 07:36 – Turning Children’s Interests Into Science Lessons 08:18 – Do Stars Really Twinkle? 09:00 – Clouds, Rainbows and Everyday Science 09:58 – Teaching Kids How Airplanes Fly 10:31 – Exploring NASA’s Artemis Missions 11:23 – Hands-On Science Activities for Kids 12:07 – Correcting Common Science Misconceptions 12:50 – Introducing Science to Young Children 14:02 – Teaching States of Matter Through Ice Cream 14:59 – How Reading and Science Work Together 16:00 – Why Early Science Knowledge Matters 17:43 – Encouraging Kids to Ask Questions 18:24 – What Parents Should Ask About Science Education 19:01 – Are Children Doing Enough Science Experiments? 20:05 – Finding Science in Everyday Life 20:57 – The Role Parents Play in Science Learning 21:55 – Parents Don’t Need to Know All the Answers 23:07 – Science Resources for Families and Teachers 23:30 – Rudo’s Classroom Activities and Learning Resources 24:09 – Science Programs From Earth to Mars 24:49 – Encouraging Children to Read 26:53 – Rudo’s Advice for Parents 27:00 – Science Is All Around Us 27:54 – How Science Conversations Build Language Skills 28:34 – Why Representation in STEM Matters #ScienceForKids #ScienceEducation #STEMEducation #Reading #Literacy #ScienceOfReading #ScienceForKids #ScienceBooksForKids
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