Between the ages of five and fourteen, I wanted to be a Marine Biologist. Of course, in those early years, I wanted to be a deep sea diver; I only learned of the real job later on. I was going to focus on science at school and then college, and had plans to work in Northern Scotland studying the marine life of the North Sea. I went to my Chemistry teacher for advice on which track to take; she was my teacher and she was the only woman in a department of men. I was told in no uncertain terms that my chosen career was heavy in Chemistry, that I couldn’t cut it, and that I should pursue something else. I dropped science, studied humanities until I was 23, and have never once forgotten that day, or that teacher. Dreams crushed. She offered no support, no extra tutoring, no suggestions on what I might do. Just a blanket no, from a woman in science to a fourteen-year-old girl asking for help.
Thank goodness things have changed. This month Penguin Young Readers launched a new program centered on chemistry, with Dr. Kate Biberdorf at the center. More widely known as Kate the Chemist, Dr. Biberdorf takes a theatrical and hands-on approach to teaching, breaking down the stereotypes of scientists, and reaching out to students who might be intimidated by science. Be still my beating heart. Her dynamic approach to science has been featured on The Today Show, the Wendy Williams Show, Late Night with Stephen Colbert, and now your living room.
Wait a minute. Instead of just thinking, I needed to gather evidence. Make observations.
I think my favorite thing, apart from the kick ass main character, amazing cast of friends, and really amazing illustrations, is that each chapter begins with a scientific and colloquial definition. Protocol, Entropy, Liquid (noun): these concepts are all explained in brief before featuring in the chapter in some way. It’s a great introduction to the basics of Chemistry that is readily accessible to a variety of ages. It even taught me something, but then again, I did abandon Chemistry at fourteen.
Protocol (noun). A set of instructions so you can re-create an experiment or procedure. You can make up ridiculous songs, but you never want to make up ridiculous protocols in science.
My ten-year-old son loved this story, and honestly so did I. It is well written, has a good group of kids at the center, and has a compelling story. The way the everyday chemistry is blended in is done seamlessly, and has both of us noticing how we are all doing a little bit of science everyday.
The next book in the series comes out this fall, and next summer we are looking forward to the second in the non-fiction series Kate the Chemist’s Big Book of Kitchen Chemistry, which this time includes 25 edible experiments. My kids are huge fans of armpit fudge, so I foresee this being a big hit!
You can visit Kate on Instagram and Facebook @katethechemist, on Twitter @K8theChemist, and online at KatetheChemist.com. GeekMom received a copy of Kate the Chemist: Dragons vs. Unicorns and a sample chapter of Kate The Chemist: The Big Book of Experiments for review purposes. You can’t help but have a crush on someone whose personal tagline is “breaking stereotypes and blowing stuff up.”
This post was last modified on April 20, 2020 4:07 pm
As summer approaches and the weather is getting warmer, it is time to get out…
It doesn't have to cost a ton to look like you've had a sweater for…
Welcome to this year’s Mother’s Day Gift Guide where we celebrate all things mothers. This…
Louder than Huner by John Schu is an internal dialogue of a teenage boy as…
In recent years, I have enjoyed reviewing several books from Britannica publisher, What on Earth…
April is International Guitar Month! Let's send off the month with some amazing feats (and…