Ordinarily Extraordinary - Conversations with women in STEM
We’re Kathy Kale Nelson and Linda LaTourelle — co-hosts of Ordinarily Extraordinary: Conversations with Women in STEM.
Our mission is to amplify the voices of ordinary women doing extraordinary work in science, technology, engineering, and math.
We’re deeply committed to:
- Normalizing the presence of women in STEM by making their stories visible
- Building community for women who may be the only ones like them in their workplace
- Educating listeners about the wide variety of STEM careers — and what they actually look like
- Empowering growth and retention by addressing the challenges behind the leaky pipeline
From early-career professionals to experienced leaders in a wide variety of STEM fields, our guests share how they got started, how they’ve grown, and what they’ve learned along the way. This podcast is a space where women in STEM can be seen, heard, and supported — because representation isn’t just powerful, it’s essential.
Ordinarily Extraordinary - Conversations with women in STEM
93. Erin Twamley - Children's STEM book author, educator; Master's Degree in Education
Erin Twamley is an award-winning children’s book author, educator and lifetime Girl Scout. Erin's current children's book series, Everyday Superheroes, provides female role models in different STEM, energy, and engineering careers. Erin's background in psychology, education, and energy provide the foundation from which Erin creates this book series featuring real women in real careers in a format designed for children and educators.
Erin has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's Degree in Education. Erin spent four years working as an education specialist at the Department of Energy and recently was named a Clean Energy Champion for her storytelling and literacy efforts.
Episode Notes
Erin talks about her newly released book "Everyday Superheroes: Women in Energy Careers", a multicultural children's book featuring real women working in energy careers around the world. She shares how she got into writing children's books about women in STEM from her background in psychology and education. We talk about the importance of women and girls in STEM in media.
Erin has a deep passion and knowledge of the energy industry and for story telling. Her books are geared towards educators and parents in addition to children. The illustrations are remarkable. She writes in bite size chunks to make it easy to read a new story and person & career daily. I'm excited to share these books with my nieces and nephews for Christmas this year!
Erin also shares her experiences traveling to and living overseas since leaving her hometown of Brainerd, Minnesota - which happens to be where I live now. I even got to meet Erin (and her STEM mom) this summer.
Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio
Acronyms, Definitions, and Fact Check
Everyday Superheroes: Women in STEM Careers This children's book features women STEM superheroes from a variety of careers from A to Z. It introduces six STEM super powers. (https://bookshop.org/books/everyday-superheroes-women-in-stem-careers/9781634891981)
Everyday Superheroes: Women in Energy Careers This book features thirty-four real-life energy superheroes who install solar panels, dig wells miles into the ground, connect power lines, and drive us into the future with battery-powered cars. (https://bookshop.org/p/books/everyday-superheroes-women-in-energy-careers-erin-twamley/18361212?ean=9781634894340)
Capturing Cow Farts and Burps - Using silly science, Erin engages young children in science and energy. (https://www.amazon.com/Capturing-Farts-Burps-Erin-Twamley/dp/1647648572)
Climate Change: The Science Behind Melting Glaciers and Warming Oceans with Hands-On Science Activities(Nomad Press, 2020)
Renewable Energy: Discover the Fuel of the Future (Nomad Press, 2016)
