The Spectrum Blog
I’m currently migrating my content from other sites (Ricochet Science and The Long Ways podcast) to this location, so check back regularly.
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Nacho Average Book EdVenture Hits the Airwaves
The Nacho Average Book EdVenture was recently on Kicks103.3 talking about how teachers and local librarians can get our STEM series for children into their local libraries.
Nacho Average Book EdVenture
We’re taking Nacho and Friends to the library today. Which child doesn’t love jaguars, tapirs, or scarlet macaws? Help us bring these lively STEM books to curious young readers.
My 2026 Book Challenge
If you want to be a writer, you need to read a lot of books. Here is an ongoing list of my reads for 2026.
Marsh Grasses and Oyster Beds
How many marsh grass seeds can you collect in a day? I take an afternoon with Charleston Waterkeepers and the team from SCORE at Shem Creek to find out and learn more about oyster bed recovery.
2025: A Year in Books
A look at my 2025 Book Challenge. It was a year of diverse selections for me - from Sci-fi to travel books to a fun international challenge.
Who is Cuddy? 7 Days on St. Cuthbert’s Way
A solo hike along St Cuthbert’s Way along the Border region of Scotland and England. What could a biologist have in common with a 7th Century monk? Well, more than you may think.
Nacho House Cat - A Journey Into Children’s Book Publishing
Having authored dozens of biology textbooks, reference books, lab manuals and study guides over the years, I decided to turn my attention to an audience that I had very few interactions with - the kindergarten to second grade reader. Nacho House Cat represents my first collaboration with Ashley Moseley and Inspire EdVentures to produce wildlife education books for young readers.
The Birds of Pandemonium
A great read that I found on Libby about one person’s quest to help protect species of birds by forming a bird sanctuary.
Why WhyBiology?
After decades of teaching non-majors biology, I decided to develop a relevancy-based approach. Here is the story of how that project evolved into the innovative, and award-winning digital textbook, WhyBiology?
The Cancer Gene We All Have
I created this Ted-Ed Animation on the genetics of cancer in order to explain how cancers works on a cellular level for my students, but have found it to be an excellent introduction for anyone who wants to understand the basics of how this disease works.
Four Memorable Quotes from “Take Off Your Shoes” by Ben Feder
While waiting for yet another flight, I picked up Ben Feder’s book, and discovered 4 quotes that that greatly impacted my life.
How an Emerald Toucan Inspired a Textbook Cover
The 6th Edition of Michael Windelspecht’s Essentials of Biology features an emerald toucan, but what is the story of why it is there?
Three Questions to Ask Before Using ANY Digital Resource in Your Classes
After decades of teaching using a variety of digital resources, I developed 3 simple questions to ask myself before giving an assignment to a student.
The Groundbreaking Scientific Experiments, Inventions & Discoveries Series: My Gateway Into Publishing
Where did it all begin? As always, I took the unconventional path…. and it started with 17th century science.