Video Description: This day of programs is now complete.  The original promo is available above.  Archived editions are now available for each program below.  Just click on the title to be taken to that particular program. 

The Power of Story in a Short Story—Ron Austin, author and winner of the 2017 Nilsen Prize
Grades: 9-12
Ron Austin’s Nilsen Prize winning debut collection of short stories, “Avery Colt is a Snake, a Thief, and a Liar,” was published in October 2019.  Be part of the conversation as he reads selections from his work and answers questions about where his story ideas come from, his process as a writer, and related topics.  To learn more about Mr. Austin, check out his website at https://www.ronaustin.com.

Additional program details are available in Teacher Tool 750 below.  

The Power of Story in a Play—Eric Coble, playwright and Julia Flood, theatre director
Grades: 5-10
What does it take to write a play? Where do ideas come from? How are characters and plot points developed? And once those ideas get down on paper, how do they come to life in a theatre the first time the story is produced on a stage? Pursue answers to those questions and more as you hear from playwright Eric Coble and theatre director Julia Flood who are bringing to life the powerful story of Mr. Coble’s newest play for young audiences, “The Girl Who Swallowed a Cactus.”

Additional program details are available in Teacher Tool 745 below.

The Power of Story in a Biography—George Leopold, author of “Calculated Risk:  The Supersonic Life and Times of Gus Grissom”
Grades: 7-12
George Leopold is a veteran technology journalist and science writer who has covered the nexus between technology and policy for over thirty years.  Leopold has written extensively about U.S. manned spaceflight, including the Apollo and space shuttle programs.  His work has appeared in the New York Times, the New Scientist, and a variety of other science and technology publications.

In this program, learn how he used his experience as a researcher and writer of science topics and applied it to his first biography on the life and legacy of pioneering astronaut Gus Grissom.

Additional program details are available in Teacher Tool 749 below.  

The Power of Story:  Be Inspired—Don Russell, USAAF veteran
Grades 5-12
World War II veteran Don Russell shares his story of service and sacrifice while serving in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II and after.  Learn what it was like to live in America during the war and be inspired to enlist and join the Allied effort.   Find out about basic training and serving as a gunner on a B-17.  See images and newsreel footage from the time and hear excerpts from Mr. Russell’s letters back home to his family.  Encourage you students to write their own stories inspired by the powerful stories of Mr. Russell.

Additional program details are available in Teacher Tool 751 below.  

The Power of Story in Historical Re-enactment—Stan Prater, General Grant re-enactor
Grades 4-12
What is the process to take your historic research and use that information to inhabit a figure from history?  Explore that question and more as you learn from Stan Prater of the 8th Missouri US Re-enactors in his role as General Ulysses S. Grant.  In the first part of the program, Mr. Prater speaks and answers student questions in the persona of General Grant.   For the program’s second part, Mr. Prater speaks directly about his research and writing process.

Additional program details are available in Teacher Tool 736 below.

The Power of Story in First Person Performance—Glynis Brooks, Actress, “Harriet Tubman:  An American Hero”
Grades: 4-12
In her one woman play “Harriet Tubman: An American Hero,” Glynis Brooks brings to life one of the most important figures in American history.  During this program hear from Glynis as Harriet Tubman and also Glynis as writer and actress.  See an excerpt from the play.  Learn what it took to create the play.  Explore the questions:  How do you decide what events to include and what to leave out?  How do you create a mood and persona that honors the legacy of such an historic American?  How do you create a voice for this American hero?.

You can also learn more about Glynis in our Educate.Today video, Theatre 105:  Glynis Brooks–Harriet Tubman: An American Hero.

Additional program details are available in Teacher Tool 735 below.