Shell Seeker: The Life, Work, and Adventures of a Blind Biologist. This item is unavailable.Shell Seeker: The Life, Work, and Adventures of a Blind Biologist

The author had the idea for this book as she was thinking about the NGSS elementary topics on the nature of science and biological evolution and remembered learning about the work of Geerat Vermeij when she was a young biologist studying evolution. Researching his life and work, she quickly became inspired by Vermeij's passion for inquiry, his endless curiosity, his persistence in overcoming adversity as a scientist with a disability, and his unique tactile observation skills. The story of this extraordinary scientist, Suzanne realized, would be best told as a highly illustrated picture book. Through the personal story and scientific illustrations, kids would be able to observe and learn about the animals that Vermeij studied and practice their own inquiry skills along the way.

I started my career as a neuroscientist. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with B.S. degrees in Zoology and Psychology, I went to graduate school in neuroscience at the University of Michigan. Volunteering for a neuroscience outreach program at a local school taught me that my true passion lies not in research, but in sharing science with kids. My first non-academic job was at the Museum of Science and Industry, where I led after-school programs for students living in the museum’s South Side community. I also developed and taught summer camps, my favorite being a LEGO robotics-themed camp. Later, I developed math-in-science summer camps for a college access program at the University of Wisconsin. It was during that experience I asked, “why can’t high-school students do real statistics in their science investigations?” I discovered that they most certainly can. And I believe that performing simple statistics helps to make student-driven science experiments more authentic and meaningful. These experiences launched me into the second phase of my career, which has been within the world of educational publishing. On staff or as a freelancer, I have had the good fortune working with a variety of clients including Houghton Mifflin, National Geographic Learning, and Discovery Education in the US, and Twig Education in the UK. The content I create ranges from science video scripts to activity books to leveled science readers and more. Whether I am writing about animals of the deep sea, the marvels of deep space, or any of the wonders in between, I consider it a joy and a privilege to help guide and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. Click here for a sample of my work, or peruse Selected Projects to see more.

Linda Olliver is an award-winning illustrator with 30 years of experience bringing projects to life through imaginative works, both digital and hand-painted. After studying at Parsons School of Design, Linda began her career in advertising before transitioning to editorial publications and marketing. From children’s books to infographics, Linda finds great fulfillment in the intellectual challenge of visually communicating information to diverse audiences. Growing up on the New Jersey Shore, Linda developed a sharp sense of observation through her continual exploration of local rivers and the ocean. She now finds endless fascination in her Baltimore home, with a unique talent for uncovering character and story in her everyday surroundings. While creating infographics may seem different from illustrating children's books, Linda finds great fulfillment in the intellectual challenge of visually communicating complex information.