The Maker Mom is getting out and about. I am finally, timidly, accepting opportunities to attend events. That is, if they are outdoor events, or if they are indoors, but with mask and vax requirements. I was invited to preview Joffrey Ballet Chicago's Don Quixote at Lyric Opera and I'm happy to report that it checks the right boxes. Based on the original story by Miguel de Cervantes, some think of Don Quixote as a tale about a crazy man who ... [ Read More ]
3M Young Scientist Challenge – Entry Period Extended!
Exciting news: the 3M Young Scientist Challenge in partnership with Discovery Education has extended the deadline to May 16, 2022! This means there’s still time for your 5-8th grader to enter our nation’s leading science competition for young students. The How is easy, so let me get to that first. How to Enter the 3M 2022 Young Scientist Challenge ... [ Read More ]
What to do in Maui if You Like Adventure Travel
I've been back from sunny, delightful Maui for three cold, gray Chicago weeks. Sigh. There's nothing like a Hawaiian vacation to get you dreaming about your next Hawaiian vacation. I was lucky to work in a dolphin research lab in Oahu as a college student. From there, I made weekend trips to Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island of Hawaii. On my recent trip, I dropped into Kauai and spent a week of adventure on Maui. We did not waste a minute. I ... [ Read More ]
Amelia Earhart Book for Kids: Easter Eggs
It was a thrill to write my first book, It's Her Story: Amelia Earhart. And it's a graphic novel, to boot! It was an exciting challenge to fit a lot of information about the aviator's life into a few dozen pages in a way that would be accessible and inspiring to elementary school readers. As a record-breaking pilot, she had so many professional accomplishments to share. I wrote the narrative and the dialog. And though I did not draw the images ... [ Read More ]
Open House Chicago: More Weekend Fun
Chicago Architecture Foundation Save the Date! The details are still coming together, but Open House Chicago is scheduled to take place on October 15 and 16, 2022. Sponsored by the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Open House Chicago provides behind-the-scenes glimpses and tours of many of Chicago's architectural gems. The free(!) public event runs throughout the weekend. Feeling spontaneous? Great! No reservations are needed. Just ... [ Read More ]
Emotional Composting 101
In my recent solstice post, I mused about how good the natural world is at taking sh*t (literally) and using it to grow something beautiful, like colorful flowers or healthy vegetables. That got me thinking about "emotional composting." How can we humans replicate, or at least mimic this process, in the name of self-care? I was certain I'd invented a new self-help concept! Alas, I have not. But anyway... Emotional Composting 101: How to make ... [ Read More ]
Chicago Summer STEM Camps 2022
Is it possible that all those hours your child spends on their computer will lead to a lucrative career? With the right guidance, all that screen time may pay off! To help that process, we're presenting Chicagoland's most comprehensive guide to STEM and STEAM camps. Whether they are in elementary school, middle school, or high school, these camps can ignite your child's passion for science and technology or fan the flames that are already ... [ Read More ]