I offer author visits, involving book readings, a description of how I got started writing children’s books, and workshops promoting inclusion, empathy, and kindness.

Historic Pursuits utilizes high interest, hands-on programming to create an intrinsic love for history. The emphasis is on character development through historic examples. We train high school, college and community docents to lead these programs as a means to further leadership and community connections. WHY HISTORIC PURSUITS? Interactive and Experiential. We learn best by doing, and remember best through experiences. We put history into people’s hands, to get people trying “new things from the past.” We don’t have audiences; we have participants. Engaging. Yes, you will learn a great deal of “gee whiz” history, but more importantly, you will leave with a desire to learn more. Our goal is to promote an intrinsic curiosity for history. Depending on the program, you can expect to spark flint and steel, practice pioneer survival skills, crunch on some hard tack, spit some beeswax, use decoders from Washington’s spy ring, craft a love note with ink and quill, experience life on the Erie Canal…there are no, “Please do not touch” signs at our programs. Educational. Our staff are retired school teachers. They know about state standards, SEL, SLOs, Learning Targets, etc. They know that social studies plays second fiddle to Math and ELA because school report cards don’t emphasize history. They know that teachers often are forced to “squeeze in” history when they can and that very little professional learning opportunities are available. We teach teachers because we are teachers. We get it. Accessible. Some history venues just don’t fit everyone’s budget and calendar. We will come to you with a truckload of goodies. Or you can come to us for experiences you can’t find anywhere else for anywhere near the affordability. We will work with you to ensure all your objectives are met or if you prefer, we will do the work for you. We will design programs specific to your community and your local history. We strive to bring history to the community because it’s their history. Passionate. We love what we do, and this means that our passion drives our profession. We are insanely curious, always learning new skills, seeking out new history toys and forging new relationships. This passion drives our profession.

The Unique Game Show uses multi-media trivia and team-building activities to combine team spirit, character education, and curriculum enforcement into one program. This multi-purpose assembly is perfect for any subject because you can customize the program if you wish! The Unique Game Show can be customized based on your school’s curriculum. Math, Science, English, Reading, Social Studies and History, Drug and Alcohol Awareness, and Character Education are only a few subjects to which we can tailor the show. The most popular curriculum show, however, is built around the core subjects of history, science, English, and math. The entire assembly is divided into teams (red, yellow, blue and green.) The game begins with a curriculum-based reading question; followed by a video question about pop culture trivia with large-screen video projection and music enhancement. Each round finishes with an audio bonus question. Teams can generate points not only by answering correctly but also by demonstrating good sportsmanship and team spirit. The team-building part of the game includes activities such as physical challenges and team karaoke. This program is a great way for your students to work together while reinforcing their studies.

We believe in the power of hands-on, nature-based experiences to enhance student learning, and we’re eager to partner with you in creating unforgettable outdoor adventures for your students. Whether it’s fostering teamwork, developing leadership skills, or simply encouraging students to engage with the environment in a meaningful way, our courses are designed to inspire and challenge. WildPlay's Mission is to Evolve the Human by helping people be brave enough to change their world as a student, a teacher, a parent ... a human being figuring out this thing called life. The success of our mission is entirely founded on trust; WildPlay is a refuge for adventure seekers, brave beginners, and everyone in between those communities. We do what we say we're going to do - humans go up our course one person and come out changed on the other side - we're here to build confidence that children and teens can take back to their own lives and adapt into leadership qualities.

Hanford Mills Museum offers on-site field trips and in-class outreach programs to schools in several regions. Our water-powered saw mill and grist mill provide a unique opportunity for students to learn about the history of science and technology dating back to the mid-1800s. Every field trip includes a tour of the 1840s mill, featuring demonstrations of our working waterwheel and saw mill. All programs align with NYS learning standards and focus on a range of topics from simple machines to watershed health. Our educators are our mill workers, and use that knowledge to introduce students to one of a kind artifacts letting them feel, smell, and use our range of historic tools and technology that are outside the realm of traditional classroom environments. On-site picnic space is available in our covered pavilion. Program information, including costs and times, are available on our website. If you have any questions, or would like to book a field trip or an outreach program, contact our Education Coordinator today!

I offer a wide range of opportunities to connect and give students both a visual and hands on experience through creativity. From mural painting to creating custom garments and being a social justice and arts activist, I use art as a catalyst to not only teach about the correlation of self love through art but to be an aid in leaving a long lasting and positive impact in communities with color.

Author, speaker, and youth mover, Brandon Lee White has motivated roughly half a million youth in 48 states over the past 15 years. He helps students take ownership of living a better life from the inside out. He teaches character education, leadership, mental health, anti-bullying, and more. Born unable to speak, Brandon shares his journey from outcast to school president, and in some speeches, he shares his story about his 6-year battle with depression and being an “unmotivated motivational speaker.” Brandon has been seen on TLC, Discovery Health, Fit TV, and TEDx. 1. Super Students (45 min speech)(Grades K-2, 3-5) Everyone loves superheroes, but students don’t know how to apply that to their lives. Super Students teaches students that you don’t need super powers to be a Super Student, just super choices. Brandon teaches how to be courageous and have character regarding bullying, leadership, mental health and making positive/healthy choices. Lots of interaction, humor, and impact! Your entire school and even the teachers will love this presentation! 2. Own It! (45 min speech)(Grades 3-12) Ownership starts with having a clear vision of who you are, what you want, and how hard you’re willing to work. Brandon shares his struggles including mental health and bullying, and then points to the leaders and decisions that turned it all around. Expect lots of funny crowd interaction, thought-provoking examples, moving stories, and a powerful spoken word presentation. Students leave with a new sense of ownership in life and leadership and the motivation to make it happen. 3. Know Your Line (45 min speech)(Grades 4-12) Substance abuse can destroy potential. Goals, dreams, and lives can be ruined through addiction, accidents, and destructive choices. Brandon presents this topic with a balance of fun and seriousness while helping them know their line in which they won’t cross 4. Let It Move (45-60 min interactive workshop)(Grades 4-12) Participants learn leadership through ballroom dance. Positive communication, risk-taking, teamwork, goal-setting, and discipline are all covered in a way that will stick in your memory. It’s a fun and educational way to “break the ice” and get youth moving. This workshop can include total crowd participation or select volunteers depending upon request and space availability. (Maximum occupancy contingent upon space and sound equipment)

Please take a moment to consider my StoryFaces and Talking Art assembly programs for schools, a unique presentation of storytelling and visual arts with a variety of content for grades K - 12, family audiences and events. Christopher Agostino’s StoryFaces is a fusion of language and visual arts, an exciting storytelling show in which volunteers are face painted to illustrate the stories as I tell them, captivating the audience with traditional folktales and my uniquely animated original stories like The Amazing Face Story and The Amazing Face Story Activity, a follow-up activity in which students create an original story starring themselves — including Talking Art programs focusing on art history for upper grades — and programs for adults and family audiences. Assembly Programs are available for grade levels K - 12, with variable content for different grade levels. For middle and upper grade levels the performances also include cultural information on the use and significance of masks and makeup. Performances run 45 - 60 minutes, and work best for an audience of 250 students or less. In most shows I paint 8 to 12 volunteers during the performance, while mesmerizing the entire audience with stories ranging from traditional tales like Aesop’s Fables to legendary adventures like Punia and the King of the Sharks, The Tail of the Dragon and the samurai hero tale Raiko vs. the Goblin Spider, plus my original stories such as The Tiger that Went to the House of the Sun, When A Man First Met a Crocodile and in my Talking Arts programs, stories about art -- origins, inspirations and appropriations -- such as my mask design demonstration: Two Lizards on Four Faces, and Picasso the Thief and the birth of Modern Art.

The Wacky Science Show takes the magic of theatre, attention-grabbing comedy, and scientific truths to your students in a fun-filled way! More than twelve students will participate throughout the show, putting science in their hands! In this school assembly with a focus on science, the wacky and zany presenter, Dr. Science, helps students learn about the Scientific Method in a fun and straightforward way with lots of magic tricks and some comedy too! Your students will crack up at the craziness, but your staff and teachers will really enjoy the lessons. Our science show includes learning the Scientific Method, Physical Sciences, Math, Life Sciences, Earth Science, the Human Body, Air Pressure, Acids/Bases, Levers/Machines, Dinosaurs, the Natural World, Outer Space, States of Matter, Safety in the Lab, Bernoulli, Reactions between Chemicals, and more. Additionally, older students in middle school will learn Centripal/Centrifugal forces, kinetic energy, potential energy, inertia, connections in technology, and using chemicals in observations. The Wacky Science Show has exercises and science concepts for students at different levels of scientific discovery!

Be part of a fun, interactive experience with Utica City FC! Attend practice and a skill clinic run by the Utica City players and staff! Each student receives a game voucher. To sign up: uticacityfc.com/boces

I offer an interactive, hilarious juggling show for all ages that has been proven successful for the last 25 years in the continental USA as well as many other countries. You see !

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is an essential part of The Mystery of the Character Surprise show. In this 50 minute interactive assembly show students learn the communication skills and attitudes they need to help create a bully-free learning environment. Fifteen students participate on stage, putting these lessons into action – cooperating to stop a bully from ruining the assembly show. Students will also learn how to stop social aggression in its tracks. And they’ll have a blast while doing it! Topics covered throughout this bully-proofing magic assembly show include Being responsible in achieving goals, helping others, and empathy. Plus: Forms of bullying, solutions for victims, responsibilities of witnesses, tattling vs. telling. Includes: Courage | Flexibility | Perseverance | Effort | Making Good Choices | Bullies, Targets & Bystanders | Sense of Humor | Responsibility | Empathy | Honesty | Teamwork | Tattling vs. Telling