Ira Marcks is an award-winning graphic novelist and educator whose books have been recommended by the New York Times and American Library Association. Ira's in-person and virtual visits include two programs that can be schedule as a single classroom event or combined to create a full day author visit. Program 1: Making Comics. (Performance) An introduction to Ira’s creative process through the unique elements of comic storytelling: frame, character, setting, and speech bubble. This program is intended for a large group. Program 2: Drawing Faces. (Classroom Presentation) A hands-on lesson in designing believable and expressive comic characters. Students will learn Ira's step by step process for creating a cartoon face, followed by an insightful look at the role of facial expressions in comic storytelling. Only a pencil, paper, and Sharpie Marker are required to participate. This program is intended for classroom interaction. Testimonials: “Ira is that rare breed of artist who seamlessly blends his creative side and a seemingly effortless ability to teach. He brings a welcoming and open approach to arts education.” — Carolyn Fagan, Library Program Director, Troy, New York “Ira was one of the most dynamic presenters we have ever had. The students were fully engaged and the teachers were too. We hope he will come back. ” — Martha Sweeney, Head of The Odyssey School, Baltimore, Maryland

We are a professional baseball team located in the Capital District of New York, more specifically, Troy. Each year we offer multiple Education Day games which are special matinee games aimed to incorporate learning with the game of baseball. We create a unique curriculum that covers things from spending money at the concession stand, geography and location of our opponents, baseball terminology and more. For these games we reach out to all of our local schools and invite them to attend this game which is typically $12 per person and includes admission as well as a lunch. We kick off the game with an Anti-Bullying peace pledge, and the concourse features tables from our sponsors with STEM centric activities. Many schools attend each of these games and look for assistance to ensure they can be a part of it.

James Bruchac was raised in the Adirondack foothills town of Greenfield Center, New York. A citizen of the Nulhegan Abenaki Tribe, and eldest son of acclaimed author and storyteller Dr. Joseph Bruchac III, James grew up immersed in the natural world, storytelling, and native culture. James has both authored and co-authored books for all ages. Children’s books include How Chipmunk Got His Stripes (Dial), Turtle’s Race with Beaver, Rabbit’s Snow Dance (Dial) When the Chenoo Howls (Walker), Be Good, a True Cautionary Tale (Bowman Books), and Native American Games and Stories (Fulcrum) and The Stories He Tells, The Story of Joseph Bruchac. General public titles include Scats and Tracks of the Northeast, Scats, and Tracks of the Southeast, Scats, and Tracks of the Mid-Atlantic (Falcon), and The Girl Who Helped Thunder, an anthology of Native American tales (Sterling). James is a member and former president of the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers. Upcoming releases include Kids in the Woods (Bowman Books), Trails and Tales of The Grizzly, and Trails and Tales of The Wolf (fulcrum) Building on his family’s tradition, for over thirty years, James has shared stories at hundreds of schools and libraries across the country. Whether telling an interactive animal story or a monster tale, he keeps listeners of all ages on the edge of their seats as well as part of the action. James has performed at many festivals, museums including the Smithsonian Discovery Theater (Washington DC), the Corn Island Storytelling Festival (KY), Noble Tales Festival and the Connor Prairie Museum (IN), Indian Summer and Riverbend Festivals (WI), The Boston Children’s Museum and the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum (MA), the Hudson River Clearwater Festival, the Noteworthy Indian Museum, and The Old Songs Festival. James and other members of his family were featured on the PBS special Adirondack Storytellers (WMHT/PBS). James studied exercise science and English at Ithaca College and has a degree in American Studies from Skidmore College. Active in both high school and college athletics, Mr. Bruchac was a member of the 1988 Ithaca College National Championship football team and went on to be an Empire League Semi-pro All-star defensive end in 1991. He has studied martial arts since the age of ten, currently holding the rank of Shihan (5th-degree black belt) in Kyokushin Karate as well as being a third degree black belt in Brazilian Jui-Jitsu. Father Joseph and brother Jesse also hold black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. All three working together to run Alliance Saratoga Jiu-Jitsu, and The Saratoga Academy of Elite Martial Arts.

Amapola Arts Bilingual, Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Art Education: Where Culture Meets Creativity! Amapola Arts is a bilingual, family-run art studio co-founded by Hector (Nino) Morales and Dr. Gliset C. Morales. Based in Kenmore-Tonawanda, NY, the studio specializes in on- and off-site art classes and culturally and linguistically responsive workshops that engage learners of all ages through canvas painting, pottery, photography, and mixed media. Rooted in Puerto Rican, Afro-Caribbean, and Taíno cultural traditions, Amapola Arts creates space for youth to explore identity, express themselves creatively, and build community. Programs are grounded in the Windows and Mirrors framework, helping students see themselves reflected in their work while gaining insight into cultures beyond their own. Offerings for P–12 Schools, Afterschool Programs & Community Organizations: On or Off-Site Art Classes & Workshops – Canvas Painting – Hand-building Pottery – Photography & Visual Storytelling – Mixed Media Projects Potter’s wheel experiences available for on-site sessions at the studio. Programs can be booked as single-day sessions, multi-week series, and summer or after-school enrichment. Inclusive, Culturally Responsive Curriculum Sample themes include: – Nature, symbolism, and visual storytelling – Celebrating multilingual heritage and family culture – Art as a tool for advocacy and connection – Identity, belonging, and creative expression. All Materials & Bilingual Instruction Provided. Amapola Arts brings all supplies and handles setup—just provide the space. Customizable to Your Needs Programs are adaptable by age group, schedule, theme, and budget. In addition to partnering with schools and organizations, Amapola Arts also offers bilingual classes and community events at its Tonawanda studio. Learn more at www.amapolaarts.com or reach out to glisetmorales@amapolaarts.com to begin planning a workshop!

Journeys Into American Indian Territory brings an immersive, curriculum-based exploration of Native American cultures directly to schools through a dynamic, hands-on program rooted in cultural anthropology. Designed for grades K–5, this unforgettable experience features a fully assembled on-site museum and four interactive workshops in a single day, covering the traditional lifeways of either the Plains or Eastern Woodlands peoples (Native Americans of NYS). Through authentic artifacts, storytelling, music, dance, and participatory activities, students gain a deeper understanding of Native American history, values, and cultural continuity—all aligned with state learning standards.

Yoga promotes inner and outer strength, confidence and self-esteem. Students learn how to move their bodies using yoga poses, connect with their breath using breathing techniques and still their minds using visualization. Mindfulness is the ability to stay present in the moment as it is, to pay attention on purpose. Students learn focusing and calming techniques allowing them to stay present. These practices of self care will certainly serve them throughout their entire lives. Students work at their own pace in a fun, supportive environment. Donna has certifications ERYT 500, RCYT, RPYT, YACEP through Yoga Alliance, teaching for over 25 years and has extensive experience teaching students in schools and camps for over 15 years.

Confident Concerts by Caley Rose Confident Concerts is an empowering SEL music assembly that blends self-confidence skills, bullying prevention methods, and motivating upbeat songs. For Elementary Schools Are you looking for an engaging, interactive assembly that helps your kids achieve their SEL and bullying prevention objectives? Power poses, instrument playing, and affirmations that promote a growth mentality and boost self-esteem are all part of our energetic musical performance.We provide kids lots of chances to become involved! Make a lasting impression while letting their wiggles out with music, movement, and purposeful learning. Confident Concerts helps create a community of Upstanders with our elementary school assembly and keep them involved throughout the entire process to cultivate a culture of compassion and perseverance at your school. Through music, dance, and thinking techniques, we meet students where they are and assist them in regaining their confidence following bullying and avoiding recurrence. In order to develop resilience, students learn how to normalize unpleasant ideas, reframe self-talk, and acquire mental health tools. We have seen even the most “hard-to-reach” students embrace their peers, initiate a movement, and cultivate a sense of community. For Middle/High Schools Do you need an assembly that will truly connect with middle and high school kids and hold their attention throughout? Through music, dance, and thinking techniques, Confident Concerts meets students where they are and assist them in regaining their confidence following bullying and avoiding recurrence. In order to develop resilience, students learn how to normalize unpleasant ideas, reframe self-talk, and acquire mental health tools. We have seen even the most “hard-to-reach” students embrace their peers, initiate a movement, and cultivate a sense of community. Caley Rose is a Billboard-charting singer and songwriter who has been featured in Forbes, NPR, Authority Magazine, ABC, FOX, Top 40 radio, commercials & more. After being bullied in middle school, Caley dedicated her life to finding her own self-confidence and to empowering students and women to discover their own by using the power of music. She has received awards and grants for her work in music and education and co-designed Music with a Message with leading teen and child psychologists. To date, she has uplifted and empowered over 4,000 students across the US! Optional Add-ons: In-class materials for teachers to teach the WOW Principles to self-confidence pre-assembly Lyric & Chord Sheets to learn the MWM music before the assembly Take home worksheets PowerPoint presentation Breakout groups

Mayta's Movement Programs: Teach to inspire. Touch the heart. “Ye are the fruits of one tree, the leaves of one branch.” Baha’u’llah A philosophy centered on teaching the love of the art of movement, multiculturalism, and helping students become peaceful, global citizens. Fusion Dance: This program has been developed to enable participants to understand, be inspired by and learn about different cultures through dance. It features Flamenco (Spain), Bharatanatyam (India), West African, Modern (USA), Latin, and Caribbean dance styles. The goal of this program is for students to learn the differences, similarities, history and cultural aspects of each dance style. Students engage with this material through an embodied, experiential approach. Spanish Language through Movement: This multidisciplinary program was developed to enable participants to learn, interpret and understand Spanish language through movement. The goal of this program is to foster learning of conversational skills in a new, fun way, for use in travel and daily life. The aim is for each participant to develop a love for Spanish culture and an excitement to learn more about this beautiful language. As a key aspect of cultural immersion, students learn Latin dance styles such as Salsa, Merengue and Bachata. Creative Movement and Yoga: Explore the world of movement! This lively class introduces participants to the basic dance concepts such as rhythm space, and music. Literature, poetry, visual art, props, yoga and storytelling are included to allow the participants to stretch their bodies and their imagination! This class will improve flexibility, creativity, concentration, focus, balance, bodily awareness, and strength. Transcending language prejudice through movement: Let's have a conversation about language, being bilingual, having an accent and how one gets treated because of how one speaks. Lets listen to each others stories about language and its affects. We will be creative and explore the power that language has on the world through movement. My aim is that we find our respect for the languages of the world and to bring awareness that languages bring us together. Through movement explorations and story telling.

The Erie Canal Museum offers Field Trips Experiences Tailored for the 2nd, 4th, 7th, and High School curriculum, however we welcome students of any age and classrooms of any size. A field Trip experience includes an hour-long docent-led indoor tour, with the option of an additional hour-long outdoor walking tour. Lesson plans are available for pre-visit and post-visit enrichment. Lunch space is available upon request. Financial Assistance is available. If you would like to bring your students to the Erie Canal Museum, reach out today.

I offer both Picture Book presentations and Creative Writing workshops. My 5 picture books are centered on themes such as rejection/belonging, kindness/friendship, trying new things, etc. These stories are delightful for young ones, catering to their imagination, and are not preachy! My Picture Book Presentation consists of pre-reading Q&A, picture book reading, digital presentation of writing-illustrating-publishing process, and post-presentation Q&A. This is suitable for one time sessions for grades K-2. My Creative Writing workshops consists of helping young writers to create their individual story outlines which they then use to begin writing their story drafts. I read their drafts and give them personalized feedback for them to use in their new drafts. These workshops are suitable for multiple sessions and for grades 3-5. For references, see my website. My credentials include having a Creative Writing degree from Columbia University and I was also a former ELA/ENL Teaching Fellow.

Programs include weekday matinee performances for student field trips, school partnerships, artists-in-residence, sensory friendly experiences, programs for those with autism and other sensory needs, professional development for educators, and master classes.

STEAMwhiz - The STEM Learning Lab: Creating Confident, Young Problem Solvers Welcome to STEAMwhiz - The STEM Learning Lab, where we inspire the next generation of innovators through hands-on learning experiences in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). Founded in the Capital District of New York, we bring the excitement of the lab directly to your classroom with our in-person labs and workshops. Our mission is to nurture curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills in students of all ages. What We Offer: Interactive Workshops: Our comprehensive programs include standards-aligned STEM workshops and hands-on classroom labs for local schools. Our workshops are designed to engage students in hands-on activities and experiments, making STEM concepts come to life. From fundamental concepts of magnetism and energies to more advanced robotic and engineering challenges, we provide immersive experiences that spark a love for learning. Other programs include: After-School Enrichment, Summer, and Break Camps at your location or ours! Hands-on STEM Core Labs: Grade Levels: 1st- 5th Length: 1 hour Size: 1 classroom unit per lab (max. 25 students) Prices: Starting at $250 per lab. Multi-Consecutive lab discounts are available at the time of booking. Highlighted Hands-on STEM Core Labs: Light It Up! Light is Weird. This hands-on lab investigates what light is and how we can control it through blocking, bouncing, and bending. Check out colorful shadows and rainbows in this FUNdamental light exploration lab. Suggested Grade Levels: 1st-3rd. Relevant NYS Standard(s): 1-PS4-2, 1-PS4-3, 4-PS4-2 MagLab: Magnetic Exploration Are all metals magnetic? Are all metals magnets? Using the Scientific Method to guide your learning, investigate the properties of magnets, and determine which materials are magnetic. Explore magnetic properties using magnets to attract and repel each other. Experiment with magnetic levitation and electromagnetism. Suggested Grade Levels: 3rd, 4th. Relevant NYS Standard(s): 3-PS2-3, 3-PS2-4 Energy Lab: Potential vs. Kinetic This energy lab investigates the relationship between Potential and Kinetic Energy, the Law of Conservation of Energy, and how energy is transferred between objects in a system by designing, testing, and modifying a "spool racer" powered by elastic energy. Students will design a "racer" that converts elastic potential energy into mechanical kinetic energy. Brainstorm, prototype, modify, test, and redesign variations to the basic "spool racer" design to meet different design criteria. "Show What You Know" in the ultimate problem-solving challenge, as your "spool racer" is put to the test and proves how a simple toy can be engineered to its best ability! I.D.E.A.S High-Tech MakerLabs – Inventing, Designing, & Engineering for All Students Grade Levels: 2nd- 8th Length: 1-1.5 hours Size: 1 classroom unit per lab (max. 25 students) Prices: Starting at $300 per lab. Multi-Consecutive lab discounts are available at the time of booking. Themes Include: Robotics, Drones, 3D Printing, Coding, Physical Computing Whether you choose our STEM Core Labs or High-Tech Maker Labs, all programs feature: Standards-Aligned Curriculum: the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards and/or the Engineering Design, and Computer Science + Digital Fluency Standards. Expert Educators: Making complex concepts accessible and fun Convenient and Accessible: We bring all necessary materials and equipment to your location. For more information about our offerings, call 518-512-9595 or email: info@steamwhiz.com