Karen Ansberry and Emily Morgan

Karen Ansberry is an elementary science curriculum leader for Mason City Schools in Mason, Ohio, and a former classroom teacher of grades 5 and 6. She has a bachelor's degree in biology from Xavier University and a master's in teaching from Miami University.

Emily Morgan, who has taught both middle and elementary school science, is currently the Science Leader for the High AIMS Consortium in Cincinnati, Ohio. She has a bachelor's degree in education from Wright State University and a master's in education from the University of Dayton.

Professional Development Sessions

Classroom veterans who know that elementary teachers are short on time, Karen Ansberry and Emily Morgan conceived the Picture-Perfect Science program to integrate science and reading in grades K–6. In 2002, in recognition of their innovative idea, they received a Toyota TAPESTRY Grant to further develop the program. Since then, they have facilitated workshops at elementary schools, universities, and professional conferences across the country. Their two books—Picture-Perfect Science Lessons and More Picture-Perfect Science Lessons—have helped teachers deepen their content knowledge and integrate science and reading in a meaningful way.

Karen and Emily designed Picture-Perfect Science workshops for K–6 classroom teachers, preservice teachers, teacher leaders, curriculum directors, special education teachers, gifted intervention specialists, and media specialists. In these engaging, interactive workshops, participants learn how to integrate reading strategies into science lessons, analyze the benefits and challenges of using children's literature in science, utilize the essential features of inquiry, uncover and address student misconceptions, and develop effective lessons using the BSCS 5E instructional model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate).