Melissa Rooney
Melissa is a Woman in Science, an Australian-U.S. dual citizen, writer, and educator. She received her Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of North Carolina in 1998, then conducted research in Melbourne, Australia, before returning to Durham, NC to raise her family. Since then, she has taught, tutored, and written books for children, all of which form the basis of her hands-on science-based CAPS workshops, which she has been conducting for over 15 years.
For more information, including videos of Melissa’s workshops, see www.MelissaRooneyWriting.com .
ARTS-CURRICULUM INTEGRATION: (SCIENCE) (WATER CONSERVATION) (CULTURAL ARTS) (STORYTELLING) (MUSIC) (LITERARY ARTS)
Your Water Resources and The Fate of the Frog
https://youtu.be/Uuz1nQd_v5s
Eddie the Electron and Your Future in Science
https://youtu.be/L86I7VIcANc
The Australian Didgeridoo and the Science of Sound
https://youtu.be/ZKZd7wlcUhQ
Richmond Book Lovers Festival
https://youtu.be/FechE_Tbano
Programs
Workshop: Eddie the Electron and Your Future in Science
GRADES: Pre-K – 8
After reading Melissa’s book Eddie The Electron, students will experiment with electronic snap circuits and magnets, while discussing how a STEM-based education can help them do what they want to do. Each class will receive a copy of the book to keep.
Max Participants: 25 (negotiable)
Duration: 60 minutes
Special Requirements: 6-8 small tables or adequate floor space for students to play with individual sets of circuits, magnets, etc.. The teacher (or an assistant) will be in the room during the workshop to help maintain order if need be.
Fee: $187.50 per workshop
Workshop: Your Water Resources and The Fate of a Frog
GRADES: Pre-K – 6
After reading Melissa’s book The Fate of a Frog, the class will make plush tadpoles from recycled materials and discuss watersheds, stormwater management, and how the vitality of tadpoles indicates water health. Great for Earth Day and Seuss events! Each class will receive a copy of the book to keep.
Max Participants: 25 (negotiable)
Duration: 60 minutes.
Special Requirements:
6-8 small tables or adequate floor space for students to make tadpoles. The teacher (or an assistant) will be in the room during the workshop to help maintain order if need be.
Fee: $187.50 per workshop
Workshop: The Australian Didgeridoo and the Science of Sound
GRADES: Pre-K – 12
Experience and discuss the science of sound-waves, frequencies, and resonance via the Australian Didgeridoo and home-made instruments. Discuss the 75,000-years-old, living culture of Australian Aborigines and the importance of music and art to human survival. If desired, make dot-art paintings.
Max Participants: 25 students (negotiable for larger groups)
Duration: 45-90 minutes
Special Requirements: 6-8 small tables or adequate floor space for students to play with individual instruments and paint (if desired); The teacher (or an assistant) will be in the room during the workshop to help maintain order if need be.
Fees:
One 50-minute Workshop: $250
Two 50-minute Workshops with dot-art painting activity: $375
Residency: Publish An Anthology!
GRADES: 3 -12
Melissa works with the class to create a professionally published anthology based on a cohesive theme they determine together. Each week, Melissa helps the students expound upon their written and/or illustrative contributions. Within 2-4 weeks of the residency, Melissa formats and designs the book, uploads it to Kindle, supplies an advanced copy of the book for the class, and provides the teacher with the URL enabling the book to be purchased online at wholesale. If desired, Melissa will apply for funding to purchase a copy of the anthology for every student contributor (and their teachers).
Max Participants: 25 (negotiable for larger groups)
Duration: 4-6 Weeks (6 sessions, 60 minutes per session) + Release Party (7th session) if books are purchased for each student contributor.
Special Requirements: Tables and chairs for all students; paper + writing materials and/or student computers.
Fees: $1500 (or $250 per residency session). There is an additional charge of $150 to apply for funding for each student to receive a printed copy of their class’s anthology (if funding is awarded, the release party/7th session is free). Alternatively, you can pay $10/book + shipping directly (~$300 for 25 students).
