120 Morris St. Downtown Durham
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Melissa Rooney

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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 since 2009.

For more information, including videos of Melissa’s workshops, see www.MelissaRooneyWriting.com.

ARTS-CURRICULUM INTEGRATION: (SCIENCE) (WATER CONSERVATION) (CULTURAL ARTS) (STORYTELLING) (VISUAL ARTS) (LITERARY ARTS)

 

Workshop "Eddie the Electron" and Your Future in Science

GRADES: Pre-K – 8 

After reading her 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

*A modified virtual option is available.  Please contact the CAPS office or artist for details. 

Workshop Your Water Resources and "The Fate of a Frog"

GRADES: Pre-K – 6

After reading her 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

*A modified virtual option is available.  Please contact the CAPS office or artist for details. 

Workshop The Australian Didgeridoo and the Science of Sound

GRADES: Pre-K – 8 

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 large 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 

*A modified virtual option is available.  Please contact the CAPS office or artist for details. 

Residency Publish a Book Anthology!

GRADES: 2-12

Melissa works with the class to create a real book 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, she puts everything together, uploads it to Kindle, and provides the teacher with the URL enabling the book to be purchased online at wholesale or with proceeds going to your school or organization for a great fundraising option! 

Click here to see a recent book creating during this residency!

Max Participants: 25 

Duration: 4-6 weeks; 60 minutes per session

Special Requirements: Tables and chairs for all students; paper and writing/drawing materials

Fees: $250 per residency session; optional $7.50 to purchase 1 hard copy of the created book