Speaking
When it comes to helping students find the joy in reading and writing, the sky’s the limit for astronomy author, storyteller, and freelance writer, Joan Marie Galat. In lively presentations that blend facts, storytelling, and writing tips, Joan launches reluctant readers into books, without leaving anyone behind.
Students of all ages find it hard to resist the lure of constellations, exploding stars, and black holes. From ancient myths to the marvels of space, Joan also intrigues young writers with her story of becoming a paid columnist at age 12. By the end of a presentation, students will head to the library to take out books and appreciate the idea that writing can be fun. They’ll also know how to find the North Star.
Joan’s presentations, perfect for grabbing the attention of all ages, provide links to science and social studies curriculums. Chris Hadfield, Dr. Roberta Bondar, and other astronauts and experts have read and endorsed Joan’s books. Read their comments, along with with feedback from teachers, librarians, and students.
Presentation Details
Vendor Status
I have vendor status in Edmonton, Calgary, and other districts through the Young Alberta Book Society.
Presentations
Ask the Author (all grades)
Joan shares her story of becoming a published newspaper columnist at age 12, then invites questions about her books, writing, and publishing process.
Pictures in the Sky (K-2)
Students learn how to find the North Star, locate constellations, and discover myths/legends relating to the night sky. Joan also plays a game of “Picture Book: Fact or Fiction” and offers tips on how to become a stronger writer.
Curriculum links: STEM and STEAM topics, scientific literacy, exploring culture/community, maintaining wonder about the world, reading/writing skills, exploring and appreciating science and environmental relationships.
A Rat, A Rocket, and Science (grades 3-8)
Discover how scientific facts and imagination mix, and what happens when a journal-keeping lab rat starts thinking about colonizing Mars. We’ll talk about research, misinformation, and correcting mistakes—both in writing and friendships—in this lively and informative session based on the STEM-themed middle grade novel: Mortimer: Rat Race to Space (DCB).
Curriculum links: STEM and STEAM topics, scientific literacy, scientific process, space exploration, maintaining wonder about the world, exploring and appreciating science, animals, reading/writing skills.
Dot to Dot in the Sky (grades 3-6)
Joan uses science and storytelling to introduce the wonders of the night sky. Students discover what happens when stars explode and black holes form, as well as how to find constellations and the North Star. Joan inspires future authors with her story of becoming published at age of 12. She offers writing and editing tips and reinforces literacy by juggling star-shaped beanbags, while making sure kids understand she learned to juggle from reading a nonfiction book.
Curriculum links: STEM and STEAM topics, Indigenous peoples, light in our environment, latitude, scientific literacy, exploring culture/community, wonder about the world, reading/writing skills, exploring and appreciating science and environmental relationships.
Stories of the Aurora (grades 3-6)
Early cultures looked up at the same night sky we see today, seeking connections between what happened on Earth and what occurred overhead. They told stories to explain the shimmering northern lights and other night sky phenomena. Discover the science and legends of the lights.
Curriculum links: STEM/STEAM topics, sky science, Indigenous peoples, ancient Greece, light in our environment, latitude, scientific literacy, exploring culture/community, wonder about the world, space exploration, exploring and appreciating science and environmental relationships, reading/writing skills.
Dark Matters—Light Pollution in Nature (grades 3-12)
Everyone deserves to see the night sky. Unfortunately, light pollution makes it hard to study the universe. It also negatively impacts wildlife. In a presentation partnering stories and science, Joan encourages students to explore the world. She also talks about writing and the importance of reading fact-based books.
Curriculum links: STEM/STEAM topics, sky science, Indigenous peoples, ancient Greece, light in our environment, latitude, scientific literacy, exploring culture/community, wonder about the world, space exploration, exploring, analyzing, and appreciating science/environmental relationships, connecting personal experience with new ideas, reading/writing skills.
Solve This! (grades 3-6)
From bubble wrap to bridges, the miracles of engineering are all around you. Find out how engineers dream up new ideas and bring them to life. Discover what happens when things go wrong! Get ready to help tackle some rather unusual problems, and since engineers must record their results, expect some writing tips, too. Based on Solve This! Wild and Wacky Challenges for the Genius Engineer in You.
Curriculum links: STEM/STEAM, engineering principles, scientific literacy, wonder about the world, space exploration, exploring, analyzing, and appreciating science/environmental relationships, connecting personal experience with new ideas, reading/writing skills.
From Earth to Outer Space (grades 3-7) – NEW
In a STEM-themed presentation that partners stories and facts author Joan Marie Galat invites students to consider how humans impact animal habitat. From Earth to outer space, audiences discover how science and imagination mix, and what happens when a journal-keeping lab rat starts thinking about colonizing Mars! Expect tips on writing and a trick for locating the North Star in this lively, literacy-building session.
– Based on Too Much Trash: How Litter is Hurting Animals, Mortimer: Rat Race to Space, and other titles.
Curriculum links: STEM/STEAM, waste in our world, scientific literacy, wonder about the world, space exploration, exploring, analyzing, and appreciating science/environmental relationships, connecting personal experience with new ideas, reading/writing skills.
Make Your Mark, Make a Difference (grades 4-12) – NEW
Kids today are more aware than ever of the issues that impact people, animals, and the planet, but getting involved can be an overwhelming prospect. In Make Your Mark, Make a Difference, Joan Marie Galat invites students to consider their wishes for the world and how they can spark change. She encourages them to read fact-based books, base opinions on scientific evidence, and master writing skills to better communicate their concerns. Based on Joan’s books: Make Your Mark, Make a Difference—A Kid’s Guide to Standing Up For People, Animals, and the Planet, Too Much Trash: How Litter is Hurting Animals, Dark Matters: Nature’s Reaction to Light Pollution, and The Story of Malala Yousafzai.
Password to Publishing (grades 7-9)
Launched with celestial storytelling, this junior high presentation shares how Joan became a paid writer in grade eight. Using personal stories to show how she built her skills, Joan shows how perseverance benefits anyone pursuing a dream. This session includes tips on writing, revising, and finding writing topics.
Curriculum links: communication, using effective language, creativity, expressing personal feelings and experiences, use of language to extend personal goals, sky science, scientific literacy, reading/writing skills.
Write Your Own Future (grades 10-12)
Joan discusses writing as a career, noting that most writing in adult life is fact-based. She shares her experience writing in different styles including speechwriting, websites, and radio commercials. Joan delivers the message that good writing is essential in all career fields, particularly with changing technology and competitive environments.
Curriculum links: communication, careers, using effective language, creativity, sky science, scientific literacy, reading/writing skills.
Workshops for Adults
I offer professional development workshops, presentations, keynotes, and other talks for conferences, literacy events, public library programming, graduations, school functions, and other events. For details, please visit my other website: MoonDot Media.
Workshops for Students
Write Like a Rat – NEW
Mortimer, a journal-keeping lab rat on the International Space Station is determined to prove his species is best suited to colonizing Mars. He records the results in his journal, uses a secret code, and makes videos for his YouTube channel. Discover how you too can write like a rat. Based on Mortimer: Rat Race to Space (DCB).
WordPlay for Teens
Teens discover how to explore and grow their creative writing abilities by turning everyday events into treasured tales packed with punch. Expect a creativity warm-up, idea-generating activity, and time to write the first draft of an unforgettable story.
Stories in the Stars (Grades 3-12)
Climb into your spacesuit and get ready to name the exoplanet you discover. You’re going to have an adventure far, far from Earth! Everyone wants to hear what happened and this fun-filled workshop will help students share their story in one giant leap. Expect warm-up activities, idea-generating games, and time to write an unforgettable tale.
Tell a True Story (Grades 3-12)
Everyone has interesting stories to share. Students learn how to come up with writing ideas and organize their facts to tell a true personal story, with an effective beginning, middle, and end.
What’s the Big Idea?
How do you help students write a story when they don’t know how to begin? And once they start, how should they end the thing? This workshop helps students identify ideas, overcome early blocks to writing, get organized, and get started. It begins with a creativity game designed to set the mood for muse!
Write a Newspaper Article
Reporters get to ask all the nosy questions! In this session, students learn how to ask good questions, sequence information, and hook readers. Participants enjoy the opportunity to get answers to questions they care about—Why isn’t recess longer? Who decides the hot lunch menu? Why can’t kids be in charge?
Write an Alphabet Book
A good alphabet book is more than just a list of letters and words. Students of all ages enjoy exploring the A to Z of following a theme to write an alphabet book, as we create a fun alphabet-based story together. Dictionaries required.
Create a Myth
Ancient myths were first told to explain things people did not understand. Students discover how to use their own curiosity to write a story that makes sense of a mysterious occurrence.
Finding Facts (Grades K-2)
What’s so fun about facts? Students find out by learning how to express what they already know. Everybody contributes in this fun group writing effort.
Storytelling Workshop (Grades K-2)
Oral storytelling is the first step to story writing. Students discover how stories can have parts that are both true and make-believe. Everyone participates as the class builds a story together.
Lively Nonfiction – Write About What You Love (Grades 4-7)
Everyone has a topic they love to talk about and share with others. Discover how to write about your favourite topic using the same tricks as an award-winning author.
Virtual School Visits
School and libraries, you can book a virtual visit with me to promote literacy, as well as science, engineering, and other STEM/STEAM topics. Contact me about fees, book discounts, and this order a box of Branching Out—How Trees are part of Our World and receive a free virtual visit for your class.
Vendor Status
I have vendor status in Edmonton, Calgary, and other districts through the Young Alberta Book Society.
Writer-in-Residence
Annual deadline: May 1
The Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) provides funding for approved professional authors to serve as writers-in-residence in Alberta schools. You can apply for the Artists and Education project grant to bring me in to your school to build and support literacy skills. Residencies can last from one to thirty days.
Please apply as early as possible to ensure adequate time to manage the application requirements.
Residency Activities Offered
Information texts make up a large part of the content adults read and write, yet students are typically taught fiction more than nonfiction writing. My residencies help students build effective writing skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
Residencies aim to generate excitement about writing, while producing finished projects and meeting related curricula requirements. Students learn to express themselves clearly and logically. The importance of rough drafts, self-editing, and revision are emphasized. Workshops encourage students to develop and recognize their creative abilities and take pride in their work.
· Kindergarten: Storytelling Workshop
· Grades 1 and 2: Make a Fiction/Non-fiction Classroom Book
· Grade 3-6: Write a Newspaper Article (Joan sets up school newspaper)
· Junior or Senior High Residency: Grades 7 –12: Write Newspaper Editorials
· Junior or Senior High Residency: Grades 7 –12: Write and broadcast on your New In-School Radio Station (I will bring the required technology.)
· Any grade:
- Storytelling
- Creativity Building – coming up with story ideas
- Write an Alphabet Book
- How to Juggle
For more information:
- contact me
- contact the Arts Development Consultant with the Alberta Foundation Arts Branch: 780.427.9968. (Call toll-free by dialing 310.0000 and asking for the number above.)
Night Sky Events
Ask about presentations for scouts, junior forest wardens, and other groups, as well as star parties, corporate events, and special occasions. I love sharing my passion for the night sky with audiences of all ages. Whether the sky is clear or cloudy, get ready to discover what the mysteries overhead.
Dot to Dot in the Sky Star Party
What if you could connect the dots in the sky? Discover how to locate constellations, tell the difference between stars and planets, and spot the rabbit in the Moon. Meet the characters who appear as celestial objects in the sky, and enjoy astronomy tales from around the world.
Dark Matters – Nature’s Reaction to Light Pollution.
From nesting turtles to migrating birds, light pollution affects more than just humans. Join Joan to learn about how our need to light the world affects species that take their cues from the moon and the stars.
Look Up! (outdoor presentation)
Discover how to go Dot to Dot in the Sky to jump from one star group to the next. This outdoor stargazing session will show you what you can see in the night sky from your location. Enjoy laser guided naked eye astronomy or bring binoculars for a closer look. The night sky is for everyone.
The Northern Lights
Early cultures looked up at the same stars we see, seeking connections between Earth and sky. They told stories to explain the northern lights and other night sky phenomena. Discover the science and legends of the shimmering lights.
Family Literacy Events
From Writer to Author
Discover my journey from 12-year-old paid columnist to award-winning author. Ask me questions about how to encourage your students and children to enjoy reading and writing.
Dot to Dot in the Sky
Discover the wonders of the night sky! I’ll share ancient myths and other stories, interspersed with astronomy facts, and show you how fun STEM topics can be. (Also available as an an evening star gazing event.)
Dark Matters – Nature’s Reaction to Light Pollution
From nesting turtles, to migrating birds, light pollution affects more than just humans. Discover how our need to light the world affects wildlife and people. As well as sharing fascinating science, I’ll discuss my writing process and how you can use fact-based books to encourage reluctant readers, as well as avid students.
Stiltwalking
Request my literacy-building grande finale, where I attract some notice as the (possibly) world’s tallest author. During the question and answer session, I’ll step into stilts that make me nearly nine feet tall.
Once I have everyone’s full attention (it won’t take long), I’ll explain how stiltwalking and reading skills are connected. This works especially well at family literacy events and full-school auditorium sessions.
You can also ask for myths, stories, and legends from any of the cultures featured in the Dot to Dot in the Sky series.
Why host an author visit?
Why invite Joan Marie Galat?
Arts participation encourages learning and motivates students to strive for excellence. Students exposed to creative processes develop skills and habits that improve their ability to be successful in the classroom.
They discover the joy of creation and realize success follows perseverance and practice. Students gain confidence and become excited about discovering new forms of expression.
As well as taking part in annual book tours in Alberta, I have toured in British Columbia, Newfoundland, Ontario, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and South Korea. Presenting the Korean translations in the Dot to Dot in the Sky series an international book fair in Seoul, South Korea and presenting at the United Nations Environment Programme for A Special Rendezvous for Environment and the Arts have been exciting career highlights.
My experience encompasses:
- Author talks at hundreds of schools and libraries across Canada
- International tours: South Korea, Australia
- Performing storyteller
- Writing and storytelling workshops for students
- Family literacy night speaker
- School and library writer-in-residence
- Teacher convention presenter
- Workshops for teachers, librarians, and adult writers
- International Book Fair speaker
Funding is available for writing residencies and some public presentations.
Contact me about the presentations described on this site or request a custom presentation to suit your unique needs.