SASSAk12 in Action: Unearthing Big Ideas at the Burroughs Read-A-Thon
What happens when science, storytelling, and hands-on discovery come together? An unforgettable learning experience!
Excited whispers and movement filled the classroom as second graders gathered to their reading carpet and leaned forward, eager to hear the story of a daring fossil hunter who changed the way we understand our past. Little did they know, they were about to embark on their own journey of discovery—with real scientists, real tools, and hands-on learning that made the past come alive!
Katrina Yezzi-Woodley reads a book about Mary Leakey to Burroughs’ young scholars.
On February 24, 2025, Science and Social Studies Adventures (SASSAk12), an educational nonprofit that connects researchers with K-12 educators and students, participated in the Burroughs Community School Read-A-Thon at the Burroughs Community School in Minneapolis.
The Read-A-Thon is an annual event organized and sponsored by the Burroughs Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) to encourage and facilitate a love of reading in the Burroughs Community. This event is a long-standing tradition at Burroughs Community School. Not only does the Read-A-Thon promote a lifelong love of reading, it builds community and raises funds. The funds raised through the Read-A-Thon account for 90% of the total PTA funds and have been used to fund Families for Equity and Justice, the Social Emotional Wellness Committee, the Sustainability Committee, Teacher Appreciation, the Back to School Party, Art Adventure, Chess Club, Math Club, and so much more!
Burroughs Community School in Minneapolis
This year, Katrina Yezzi-Woodley and Ivy Faulkner of SASSAk12 visited three 2nd grade classrooms to share the story Fossil Huntress: Mary Leakey, Paleontologist by Andi Diehn (author) and Katie Mazeika (illustrator) with around 60 students.
Katrina is a paleoanthropologist. She is interested in how meat-eating impacted human behavioral evolution. Her research focuses on how early humans were breaking bones for marrow, especially in a landscape where they competed with threatening, large-bodied carnivores – like hyenas – for these food resources. Katrina read the story to the students before sharing her own experiences as a paleoanthropologist, who just like Mary Leakey, works in museums, in the field, and in labs – trying to decode the past. Students eagerly shared their own knowledge. One student asked:
“Did you know that we share 98% of our DNA with chimps?”
Ivy Faulkner shows young scholars some of the tools of the trade in archaeology.
Ivy then shared some tools used by archaeologists and her experiences in cultural resources management where she helps to identify and protect archaeological and historical sites throughout the state of Minnesota. Students asked questions and shared their own stories of discovery. In fact, Ivy mentioned the fact that in cultural resources management, anything that is 50 years or older is considered historical, to which a student responded:
“My Dad is 48! He’s almost historical!”
Finally, in the spirit of SASSAk12, Katrina and Ivy left each classroom with a Paleo Play Kit, designed by SASSAk12, to expand on the concepts presented during the reading and discussion through interactive, educational games. Each Paleo Play Kit contains games that focus on concepts like the process of fossilization, reconstructing animal diets, and identifying the marks left behind on bone when they are eaten by carnivores or butchered by humans – allowing students to become young scientists and explore the concepts from the Read-A-Thon event firsthand.
Great scientists are also great readers! Whether it’s decoding fossils or decoding words, curiosity and critical thinking are the foundation of both literacy and scientific discovery. By fostering a love of reading, we’re not just building future bookworms—we’re inspiring the next generation of problem-solvers and changemakers who will uncover the mysteries of our world – both past and present.
Want to bring hands-on science and storytelling to your school or community? SASSAk12 is always looking for new opportunities to connect with young learners. Whether it’s a classroom visit, a special event, or a new collaboration, let’s spark curiosity together—reach out and let’s make it happen!
Want to help ignite a passion for learning in young minds? Your support fuels programs like this, bringing hands-on science, storytelling, and discovery to classrooms. Donate to the Burroughs Community School Read-A-Thon to support literacy or contribute to SASSAk12 to bring more exciting educational experiences to students everywhere. Every contribution, big or small, helps turn curiosity into action!
SASSAk12 would like to thank
● the Burroughs Community School PTA for organizing the Read-A-Thon and inviting SASSAk12 to participate,
● the Burroughs Community School students and teachers (Mr. Moen, Mr. Kilibarda, and Mr. Templeton) who made the event so enjoyable,
● Julia Salzman, the parent volunteer who escorted us around the building, and
● Jeff Calder and the Anthropological and Mathematical Analysis of Archaeological and Zooarchaeological Evidence (AMAAZE) consortium for connecting SASSAk12 with the Burroughs PTA.
Note to readers: this blog post has been cross-posted on the SASSAk12 website, the AMAAZE website and the Burroughs PTA website.