INPERSON
Physics
Fun!
Kaitlyn Sue Stoltz
introduces the
fun of physics to
younger audiences.
BY NICOLE TAFE
H
ampton alum Kaitlyn Sue Stoltz has found the perfect
way to marry her two passions of physics and teaching—
by writing a children’s book.
Stoltz, 29, graduated from the University of Pittsburgh
with a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology and
worked for a few years as an engineer before starting her family in
Hampton. She grew up in Hampton, and moved away for only a
short period of time before returning. “We love this area and are
so blessed to be raising our kids in this school district,” she says.
Stoltz graduated from Hampton High in 2008. During her time
there, she played softball, worked part-time jobs and fell in love
with physics and mathematics. She was a part of a Rube Goldberg
machine team called the Chain Reaction Contraption Contest
led by Mrs. Pugliese during her senior year. The team took their
“recycling themed” contraption to the Carnegie Science Center
and competed against other local
schools.
Teaching in some way has always
been a passion of Stoltz’s. “I love to
teach and I love kids,” she says. “So,
as my kids started getting a little
older and asking me questions like,
‘Where do rainbows come from?’
I jumped on the opportunities and
came up with lessons and activities/
crafts to explain the answers. My
husband saw how excited and
passionate I was about teaching
them, and began encouraging me to
consider writing a children’s book.”
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“I thought he was crazy at first, but when I finally sat down
to write, it was so much fun and it just flowed right out,” she
continues. “I am so thankful he pushed me to step out of my
comfort zone, because this has been a really cool journey and
project to be a part of.”
The book introduces five main Physics 1 concepts including
forces, motion, energy, light and sound. The entire book rhymes,
and the bright illustrations help kids grasp the concepts being
presented. The two children in the illustrations were meant to
represent Stoltz’s oldest two kids: Kalea and Tobin. The author’s
website—kkstoltz.com—also has some worksheets and coloring
pages that parents can download/print for free to go along with
each subject.
“When I think back to where this passion came from, I go
directly back to my high school physics teachers,” says Stoltz.
“I didn’t think science was one of my
strengths before stepping into Dr.
Weaver’s classroom. He encouraged
me, and introduced topics in a fun,
unintimidating way. One afternoon, he
saw me in the hallway after school and
asked if I’d ever considered becoming
an engineer someday. I don’t think he
could ever know how much that meant
to me. He believed in me and saw
potential that I couldn’t see myself.” n
MOTION Coloring Sheet