HOWTOONS to Bring D.I.Y. Learning to Science Teachers in Chicago

March 11, 2015

Creators Saul Griffith and Nick Dragotta to present workshop at NSTA conference

Image Comics is pleased to announce that Dr. Saul Griffith of Otherlab and artist Nick Dragotta (EAST OF WEST) will attend the National Science Teacher Association (NSTA) conference, taking place in Chicago on March 12-15, and present a HOWTOONS workshop for attendees.

At 12 pm on March 13, Griffith and Dragotta will present some of the do-it-yourself projects from HOWTOONS, a kids’ comic they co-created to make learning about science fun. Every HOWTOONS project illustrates a scientific principle, such as robotics, force, gravity, air resistance, persistence of vision, and more. The comic book-style story-telling of HOWTOONS allows for dynamic, easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions, and every project uses easy-to-find, household items.

In addition, Griffith and Dragotta will be visiting three schools in the Chicago area on Friday, March 13 to present Howtoons to STEM students. The presentations at Westfield Middle School in Bloomingdale, Crone Middle School in Naperville, and Orland Junior High in Orland Park have been organized by Anderson’s Book Fair Company and Diamond Book Distributors.

The current HOWTOONS series, HOWTOONS: [RE]IGNITION, focuses on energy literacy, integrating D.I.Y. projects and the science behind them with a rip-roaring adventure starring siblings Celine and Tucker, who must find their parents after a man-made disaster causes a worldwide blackout. The first volume, written by Fred Van Lente with art by Tom Fowler and Jordie Bellaire, is in stores now. HOWTOONS: TOOLS OF MASS CONSTRUCTION, collecting the best of ten years of HOWTOONS, is also available now.

Full workshop details:

HOWTOONS! Engaging Kids with DIY STEM Projects via Comic Books
Saturday, March 14 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
McCormick Place, Room W184d

Join Howtoons creators Dr. Saul Griffith and artist Nick Dragotta of the award-winning STEM comic that teaches kids how to make things using everyday household goods, like origami robots, marshmallow shooters, stomp rockets, zoetropes, and more. STEM topics covered include robotics, force, gravity, air resistance, persistence of vision, and more in this fun merging of art and science.

FORMAT: Exhibitor Workshop
GRADE LEVEL: 4 - 8
SUBJECT: General Science Education, Physical Science

About Dr. Saul Griffith
Dr. Saul Griffith received his PhD at MIT and has used his training and skills to start numerous technology companies and has consistently championed STEM education. He currently runs Otherlab, and independent research lab in San Francisco. Saul has been awarded numerous awards for invention including being named a MacArthur Fellow in 2007.

About Nick Dragotta
Nick Dragotta got his start at Marvel Comics working on titles as varied as X-Statix, Captain America: Forever Allies, Vengeance, Fantastic Four #588, and FF. Along with being a co-creator of Howtoons, he is also the artist and co-creator of the Eisner Award-nominated comic book East of West at Image Comics.

HOWTOONS: TOOLS OF MASS CONSTRUCTION by Saul Griffith, Joost Bonsen, Nick Dragotta, and Ingrid Dragotta

  • ISBN 978-1-63215-101-8
  • 360 pages, full color, $14.99
  • Rated Everyone
  • Retailers, librarians, teachers, and reviewers may request a PDF galley from Jennifer de Guzman, Director of Trade Book Sales,jenniferdeguzman@imagecomics.com

HOWTOONS: [RE] IGNITION, Volume 1 by Fred Van Lente, Tom Fowler, and Jordie Bellaire

  • ISBN 978-1-63215-056-1
  • Diamond Comic order code DEC140668
  • 160 pages, paperback, color
  • $9.99
  • Collects HOWTOONS: [RE] IGNITION #1-5
  • Retailers, librarians, and reviewers may request a PDF galley from Jennifer de Guzman, Director of Trade Book Sales,jenniferdeguzman@imagecomics.com