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Matthew McElligott
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In Matt's programs he talks about the process of writing and illustrating picture books. Each talk focuses on one of his books and includes an interactive reading of the book, sharing background stories and talking a little bit about what authors and illustrators do, and an interactive demonstration of creating the illustrations. Matt will do either 3 auditorium sized or 4 library sized (smaller group) presentations per day. Four library presentations is highly preferred so Matt can better interact with students. Matt can also do an additional smaller group Q&A talk with select students (usually older kids who are interested in writing or drawing), such as a meeting over lunch or an "afternoon tea." Matt has a variety of educational and entertaining presentations suitable for students K through 6th grade, as well as presentations for parent's nights or literacy nights for an additional fee.
Touches of Nykesa
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Touches of Nykesa delivers structured, confidence-centered education that supports natural hair health, self-esteem, and identity development for youth and families. Our offerings are designed to be developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, and scalable for schools, community organizations, and youth-serving institutions. Crown Confidence Workshops • Single-session or multi-week workshops focused on natural hair care, scalp health, and confidence-building • Hands-on, interactive learning that teaches students how to safely care for their hair and understand their unique textures • Instruction rooted in self-love, cultural pride, and positive identity formation • Inclusive, trauma-informed, and LGBTQ-affirming facilitation • Adaptable for classrooms, after-school programs, and community-based settings Lil’ Crowns Big Confidence Read-Aloud Workshops • Guided read-aloud sessions based on the Lil’ Crowns Big Confidence book series • Designed for early learners and elementary-aged youth • Focus on self-acceptance, confidence, and pride in natural hair • Interactive discussion, reflection, and age-appropriate engagement activities • Supports early literacy, emotional development, and positive self-image Hair Health & Wellness Education • Foundational instruction on hair science, scalp care, and healthy daily routines • Education on breakage prevention, protective practices, and long-term hair wellness • Early awareness around hair loss and sensitivity to children experiencing hair or scalp challenges Educational Materials & Student Takeaways • Work packets, reflection tools, and learning resources to reinforce instruction • Optional workbooks, hair care kits, and certificates of completion for extended programs • Materials designed to support continued learning beyond the workshop Product-Based Learning & Support • Access to plant-based, science-informed haircare products • Ingredient education to promote safe, informed product use • Hair care kits for workshops, home use, or ongoing support Community & Institutional Partnerships • Customizable programming aligned with organizational goals and student needs • Scalable delivery for small groups or large cohorts • Professional, consistent facilitation with an emphasis on outcomes and impact Touches of Nykesa offers more than programming—we provide intentional, confidence-building education that equips youth with knowledge, pride, and practical skills they can carry into adulthood.
Utica Zoo
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At the Utica Zoo, we are able to offer a variety of educational experiences both at the zoo itself and at Beaversprite, our conservation education center. Firstly, we offer field trips at both sites. Field trips to the zoo can be self-guided or fully educator led and can include a zoo introduction or curated conservation class tailored to the groups learning objectives. Beaversprite trips are all educator led and include exploration of the visitor center and guided hikes of the pristine 1300-acre wetland property. We additionally offer zoo outreach programs in a variety of styles, in which we aim to bring the zoo to you. For our outreach "Zoomobile" programs, we typically bring between three to five live ambassador animals and give a presentation on their biology, ecology, and conservation status and challenges. We also offer more heavily conservation focused programs, stressing issues like climate change, habitat loss, or invasive species. For these programs we bring fewer live animals but will bring a customizable PowerPoint presentation on the topic of choice and/or a guided activity that encourages active engagement by the students.
Playhouse Stage Company
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Theatre for Young Audiences at the Historic Cohoes Music Hall Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Cohoes Music Hall, the 4th oldest operating music hall in the U.S., with our annual Theatre for Young Audiences productions! Hosted at this iconic venue, these lively, educational musicals bring beloved characters to life, blending classroom lessons, catchy tunes, and plenty of laughs for audiences of all ages. Introducing students to theatre arts fosters creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving while connecting classroom learning to the stage. Our shows offer students the opportunity to experience the thrill of live theatre, learn proper theatre etiquette, and engage in post-show discussions that enhance camaraderie and conversation in the classroom. Educators will also receive a curriculum-based activity packet before the performance, designed to explore the creative process and core themes of the production.
Co. K, 67th NY Historical Association
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We are Company K, 67th NY Historical Association based in Sayville, Long Island, New York and we are Living Historians, bringing the Civil War era to life for the purposes of educating the public and preserving history. We strive to emulate the original soldiers that comprised the original Company K of the 67th New York Volunteer Infantry, a regiment that was also known as the First Long Island Volunteers. Our Mission as stated in our New York State Charter is to educate the public and preserve history. We are also fully insured and recognized as a public charity under 501c3 of the IRS code. Much of what we earn is donated for the preservation of battlefields and other historical sites.
Ama Unicorn
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More than a show! A transformational experience! " AmagiNation with Ama Unicorn” is a high energy, interactive musical storytelling performance experience integrating tools for social emotional learning & mindfulness .Through live original music, storytelling, dance, movement, guided mindful moments, puppets and audience participation, children and care-givers are invited on an immersive, shared, unifying journey where they are invited to actively participate and practice powerful social-emotional and self-regulation tools in real time - connecting to the self, one another and the Earth. This event blends theater, storytelling, music, mindfulness, movement, humor and creative play to support children’s emotional expression, imagination, and self connection. Through song, story, movement and meditation children are invited to explore feelings, build confidence, resilience, and transform challenging emotions and thoughts into creative expression in a safe, playful environment . The program is designed as an educational, arts-based experience focused on emotional literacy and creativity — not therapy. Children are guided first into their bodies and senses, then into imagination, story and dance and mindful participation followed by creative expression and sharing, and finally into gentle integration and closure. Ama also offers professional development courses and one on one courses in the following to educators, facilitators, students and individuals of all ages: Mindfulness, emotional regulation, emotional intelligence, confidence/ self esteem building, resilience, creative problem solving, stress reduction, meditation, comedy, storytelling, acting and songwriting and performance technique
Howie Hypnotize
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**Bring a Magical Experience to Your School with Howie Hypnotize!**Hello Schools! Get ready for an unforgettable experience! Introducing **Howie Hypnotize** a mesmerizing performance that combines comedy, magic, and the incredible power of hypnosis. Perfect for school events, assemblies, prom nights, and special occasions! **Why Howie Hypnotize?** -Engaging and Interactive: Howie's shows are not just performances, but interactive experiences that involve and captivate the audience. - Safe and Respectful: We prioritize safety and respect, ensuring a fun experience that's appropriate for high school audiences. - Customizable Shows: Tailor the performance to fit your school's theme or event focus. - Educational and Entertaining: Learn About Hypnosis. Students get a chance to learn about the science and art of hypnosis in an engaging way. - **Boost School Spirit**: An exciting event that brings students together, fostering a sense of community and school pride. Perfect For All School Events - Assemblies - Prom Nights - Graduation Parties - Fundraisers - Special School Celebrations **Booking Now for the School Year!** Limited slots available! Book now to bring Howie Hypnotize to your school and create an event that students will talk about for years to come!
Chain Reaction - The Frankel Sisters
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We are Lianne and Jaymee Frankel, New York State-certified teachers, sisters, and founders of Chain Reaction, an educational program centered around live music, social-emotional learning, and storytelling. Our Chain Reaction program has been performed at schools and other venues across Long Island and New York City, and teaches concepts such as creating a kindness chain reaction, the power of positive self-talk, the power of music on mental health, and mindfulness/social-emotional learning.
The Hyde Collection
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The Hyde Collection is a historic home and world-class art museum in Glens Falls, NY, with distinguished collections of European and American art. The Hyde Collection welcomes schools or groups with school-age students (pre-K through college or other school age groups ie: homeschool, exchange student program, etc.) to engage with our permanent collection and special exhibition spaces. Education staff is happy to customize our tour activities to meet the needs of the students and goals of school curriculum. Tours are often accompanied by an art making component. Curriculum connections include NY History, European History, Art Education, Language, English Language Arts, Social Studies, and more. School tours are free of charge to students. This is made possible through the generosity of our donors.
Barbara Slate
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You Can Do a Graphic Novel, Comic Book, Meme, or Zine Categories: Creative Writing, Visual Arts Curriculum. Costs VIRTUAL PROGRAMS (ZOOM) One-hour interactive classes, unlimited participants: $500.00 LIVE IN-PERSON PROGRAMS One day: $1,200.00 Four days: $3,800.00 Eight days: $6,500.00 For venues more than 40 miles from Hudson, NY travel cost of $0.50 mile will be added. For venues more than 40 miles from Valatie, NY travel cost of $0.50 mile will be added. Available year-round. Program Theme: Students learn how to create a graphic novel beginning with a six page comic. It doesn’t matter if they can draw. Stick figures are an expressive way for the reluctant artist to begin. Participants are encouraged to bring their sketchbooks and characters they may already be working on. They will learn about The Creative Process, how to write a Character Study, focus on the beginning, middle, end and twist of a story, and Create Layouts. If the program is an assembly, Barbara talks though the program with on-screen illustrations of the process. The school is to provide a computer, projector and screen. Program Description: Each program is custom tailored to the grade, number of students in the class, and number of sessions. If there are four or more sessions per class, the program finishes with a Graphic Novel Exhibition (see below). The Creative Process: 20 creative tips. Creating Characters: Participants complete bio sheets with the character’s name, age, best friend/side kick, powers (if any), biggest fear, life goal, etc. Plotting: Learning how to plot challenges the student to complete a story. Too many begin the story and throw it out somewhere in the middle. The student learns to plot by color code, a method used by film/tv/graphic novel writers. Layout: Participants learn about panels, thumbnails, dialogue balloons, sequence, and making a page pop. Rather than drawing “talking heads,” they draw a close-up, pull back for a long shot, followed by interior, exterior, bird’s eye views. Everybody works at their own pace. Some are advanced artists/writers while others are beginners. It doesn’t matter where they begin as long as they get going. I hand out a “character bible” sheet and encourage them to think about the beginning, middle, end and twist of their story. The twist is what makes the story interesting. I bring in samples of character bibles from Marvel comics which they can keep, and scripts written by professionals. Feedback is an important part of the program. It usually begins when I hold up a student’s drawing and ask them to suggest a name, age, or character trait. The student can take the suggestions or discard them, however, it opens up discussions. In the first session, students are sometimes quiet/shy with other students but by the second, they open up about their characters and stories. After the last workshop, the doors open to parents, friends, relatives, the community, and the local press. Students show and talk about their work…where they got their inspiration for characters/story. The “Graphic Novel Exhibition” attracts a lot of attention and often results in newspaper articles. Having artwork in the newspaper is great for a student’s self-esteem and for their portfolio. Copies of Barbara's textbook You Can Do a Graphic Novel can be ordered for the school library, and discounts are available from the publisher for class-size orders. http://youcandoagraphicnovel.com/students1.htm
Ben Mikaelsen
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Author Ben Mikaelsen He does Zoom/Skype/Google Meet sessions 30-45 mins for $250.00. He does an introduction of himself and then talks about the book the students are reading and then opens it up for Q & A.
Catskill Art Space
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CAS Kids offers free arts-education to local children with weekly classes. Every Wednesday, children experiment with drawing, painting, and mixed media while learning new techniques and expressing their unique imaginations. Every Thursday, children explore the performing arts through games, improvisation, and acting. They'll build confidence, spark imagination, and learn to work together while bringing stories to life. Every second Saturday of the month, children unleash creativity in the art studio with a variety of drawing, painting, and mixed media workshops. Please visit our website for more information and registration.