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.

The Jump Rope Masters program is an engaging school assembly that incorporates rope skipping, unicycling, audience participation, a motivational message and glow-in-the-dark awesomeness! The show features 7-Time World Champion and 12-Time Guinness World Records holder, Peter Nestler. This program has been seen live by over a million students in all 50 states and 35+ countries. Our focus is on using a dynamic and exciting show to engage students' attention and then using that platform to help them learn the importance of making good choices to reach their potential. The program is adjusted based on the age group of the students in attendance and we have different messages available on anti-bullying, anti-drug, working hard and more! Contact us to find out more about the program that schools around the world are calling "bar none, the most entertaining assembly that I have ever seen!"

DINOSAURS ROCK, celebrating 25 years, offers 4 science-themed events - DINOSAURS ROCK, GEMS ROCK, OCEANS & SHARKS ROCK and INSECTS ROCK - Each includes an expansive Museum Exhibit, highly interactive and entertaining Assembly Show with lots of audience volunteers, accompanying keynote video and hands-on activity such as a dig where each student takes home real fossil, mineral or seashell matching the theme. DINOSAURS ROCK: Topics include dinosaur anatomy, fossil formation, adaptation.. with a 20+ piece exhibit including a 5-ft wide t-rex skull, 6-ft allosaurus leg, dinosaur egg & footprint (students can touch!) and many more specimens. Hands-on options include a fossil dig, excavation, geode-opening, amber discovery, fossil shark tooth necklace-making, trilobite excavation... OCEANS & SHARKS ROCK: Museum Exhibit - specimens include taxidermy shark & stingray (students touch!), giant crab plaques, oversized sponge, shells, jellyfish - note: no live creatures. Show covers fascinating sea creatures and "Earth Day, "anti pollution, environmental message about saving our oceans. Hands-on seashell/sea fossil dig plus other options like shark tooth necklace-making and excavations. GEMS ROCK: Earth science-based program focusing on the critical uses of rocks & Minerals in our everyday lives, how the earth and rocks were formed and more, with a museum exhibit of genuine minerals such as amethyst, quartz, geodes, etc. - hand-on activities include panning for take-home gemstones with other options including excavations, geode opening, gemstone mining with our 25-ft rushing water sluice! INSECTS ROCK: Museum Exhibit of awesome taxidermy insects behind acrylic/glass of a variety of cool insects (no live creatures) with show topics including metamorphosis, insect anatomy, how a fly flies and more. Age appropriate for PreK-high school; we modify the program based on grades. The opportunity to see museum quality exhibits up-close, be active participants in our shows and take home real specimens with our hands-on experiential approach make each of these a highly memorable and unique event. Ask about our Museum Shop for discounted rates.

Prepare yourself as Planetarium Adventures takes you on a journey that will Inspire, Innovate and bring Discovery to the classroom. Planetarium Adventures is a completely portable planetarium that comes to you! No matter if you represent a school, a library or even a local community organization, Planetarium Adventures will bring the universe to the classroom. Saving you valuable time and money and the hassle of transportation. Planetarium Adventures uses proven tools to open the world of astronomy and the wonderment of our solar system to the young scientists of tomorrow! Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have about our curriculum and procedures

Ten80 offers high-energy programs that use dynamic technology and hands-on experiences to inspire students about careers, STEM pathways, the trades, and leadership skills. The most popular program engages a large audience in team-based challenges and culminates in a race using scale-model electric vehicles. Other options include classroom workshops, afterschool explorations, and professional development. All Ten80 programs include the "Ten80 T-Square" pillars of Tech (such as drones, autonomous vehicles, and renewable energies), Tools (from measuring tapes to spreadsheets to digital calipers!), Teamwork, and Tenacity. Ten80 has delivered programs all over the U.S and in China, and specializes in creating the “aha” moments that break down barriers so that every student can imagine a wider range of future opportunities.

Taikoza is a Japanese Taiko drum group that uses the powerful rhythms of the Taiko drums to create an electrifying energy that carries audiences in a new dimension of excitement. The Taiko is a large, barrel-like drum that can fill the air with rolling thunder. Drawing from Japan's rich tradition of music and performance, Taikoza has created a new sound using a variety of traditional instruments. In addition, the Taiko Taikoza incorporates bamboo flutes. Taikoza has performed in Europe and Asia. Taikoza appeared on the History Channel and “The Last Samurai “DVD set. Taikoza presents a unique and exciting program using Japanese Taiko drums (weighing 200lb drums) and bamboo flutes. The program will take you on an unforgettable journey through Japan. It will take students to different areas and through the seasons of Japan. Students will be experiencing a new culture in a fun and exciting way, they will get a chance to see and at times touch the ancestral drums. The taiko drum can touch everyone with its thunderous sounds and vibrations. Taikoza hopes to open the student’s eyes to the richness of Japanese culture and spark an interest. We hope that this will spark an interest in other world cultures. Taiko has been associated with many aspects of Japanese culture since ancient times. It is said that Taiko was used to drive away the plague and evil spirits. In the Shinto religion, it was used to call upon and entertain the gods, or kami, and in Japanese Buddhism, its sound was the manifestation of the voice of the Buddha. Taikoza’s programs can be tailored to your school’s needs and interests. In a performance by Taikoza your students may experience: They will hear and see taiko songs. Taiko is often compared to martial arts, as the drums are played very physically using sticks that resemble baseball bats. They will hear songs played on the bamboo flutes. Some will get to play on the drums and interact with the performers.

Be part of a fun, interactive experience with Utica City FC! Attend practice and a skill clinic run by the Utica City players and staff! Each student receives a game voucher. To sign up: uticacityfc.com/boces

High-energy 45-minute assembly programs about bullying-prevention, character education, reading, and science. Who knew LEARNING could be this much FUN?!

American DanceWheels Foundation Presents – Better Together “We are all one, even if we feel worlds apart!” American DanceWheels Foundation’s Better Together assembly uses disability awareness and the beauty of dance to promote understanding, kindness, and respect for people of all abilities. The Show Meet the Performers: Students will be introduced to talented dance performers who will share their personal journeys of challenge and triumph. Wheelchair Ballroom and Latin Dance Performance: Students will watch wheelchair dance performances by dance couples made up of one seated and one standing partner who defy expectations while celebrating the beauty of diverse abilities. Interactive Q&A: Students will have an opportunity to make their voices heard during a question-and-answer segment, engaging directly with the performers and allowing for a deeper connection and understanding. Mini-Dance Lesson (when wheelchair available and class size permits): Participants will be invited to join a mini-dance lesson and experience the joy of movement from both seated and standing perspectives. This interactive dance lesson will help students understand how people can work together to create something beautiful and fun, if they are given the opportunity and tools to participate and learn. Better Together is not just a performance—it’s an opportunity for students to see beyond physical differences and appreciate the shared human spirit through dance. Book this transformative assembly to foster character development and cultivate a culture of inclusivity within your school.

“Amy helps students, from the very youngest to the very oldest, find inspiration and see the world with poet's eyes. She's helped some of our most reluctant writers find themselves in new words and images they never knew were there!” - Thomas Marshall, Principal, Stony Lane Elementary, Paramus, NJ “Amy’s engaging presentations were bursting with wise and inspiring words. She has a remarkable way of connecting with students and teachers, making poetry accessible to all. Her visit filled our school with joy!” - Dr. Kristie Miner, Literacy Coordinator, Tioughnioga Riverside Academy, Whitney Point, NY Amy Ludwig VanDerwater is author of several books for children and teachers, as well as keeper of the popular classroom blogs The Poem Farm and Sharing Our Notebooks. Some know her from her series of teaching videos offered during the COVID Spring of 2020, 72 lessons taught from “Betsy the Writing Camper.” A former upper grade teacher, Amy holds an MA in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University, is a 25+ year writing teacher, served as editor of “The Poetry of Science” column in NSTA’s SCIENCE AND CHILDREN journal, and loves exploring creativity and writing with students and teachers. As a speaker or writer-in-residence, Amy gives presentations and teaches joyful writing workshops about topics ranging from poetry to reading like writers to notebook-keeping. Her next book, a narrative poetry picture book, is titled JOHN AND BETSY (Eerdmans). Author Visit: During an author visit, Amy usually speaks to the whole school throughout the course of one school day, one or two grade levels at a time, sharing information about everything from notebook keeping to the process of drafting a poem to the world of publication, all along weaving in poems, stories, and pictures related to her poems and books. This visit may be spread across three buildings for three assemblies if desired. An alternative to this is a day of classroom visits, up to five classrooms of 45-55 minutes each. Writing Residency: There is a great deal of flexibility in a writing residency. As a former elementary school teacher and longtime writing teacher, Amy enjoys working with students in a variety of settings and for one day or many. Possible residencies are not limited to but include: notebook making and notebook keeping, personal essay writing, writing from nature, and a variety of poetry workshops. Teacher Workshops & Conference Presentations: Amy loves to work with teachers and speak at conferences, focusing on poetry, notebooking, the habits of writing, conferring, and the joy of words and the world.

Growth Mindset Through Real Failure. New York Times bestselling author Mark Cheverton visits schools with an interactive presentation that shows students how persistence, reflection, and learning from setbacks lead to improvement. Using humor, audience participation, and real examples from his own journey, Mark shares the many years of rejection and false starts he had to endure before ever finding any success as an author. A Story Students Connect With. Students laugh, participate, and follow along as Mark tells the true story behind becoming an internationally published author. He is the author of 32 novels, including his bestselling series of Minecraft books, many of which are already in your school’s library and have been read by your students. The visit concludes by encouraging students to write their own stories and share them on a kids-safe fan fiction website, motivating continued writing beyond the presentation. Mark can do multiple presentations throughout the day, keeping the groups small to encourage interaction. In addition, he’ll have lunch with select students and autograph books at the end of the day. You can learn more about his presentation at https://markcheverton.com/author-visits/ Schools interested in scheduling a visit are encouraged to contact Mark Cheverton for availability and details.

An agency devoted to bringing award-winning children’s authors and illustrators to you through school and library visits, conferences and festivals, and special events. It is our goal to make your events spectacular. To take the hassle out of the event planning. To create an environment where authors and illustrators do what they do best, inspire.