Bio
Meg Thacher has been writing for children’s magazines since 2013, publishing thirty nonfiction features, infographics, scientist profiles, current events, DIY experiments, and a reader’s-theatre-style retelling of a Welsh folktale. Her debut book, Sky Gazing (Storey Publishing), came out on October 13, 2020.
Meg has a BA in physics from Carleton College and a MS in astrophysics from Iowa State University. Since 1999, she has taught astronomy at Smith College, where she has also taught physics and writing. She’s been teaching astronomy to kids and adults for about 30 years, hosting “star parties” and visiting local schools and libraries. Meg is dedicated to getting girls interested in science and is the academic director of Smith’s Summer Science and Engineering Program for high school girls.
Meg is the Western Massachusetts PAL (published and listed) coordinator of SCBWI‘s (the Society for Children’s Writers and Illustrators) New England chapter and a member of two critique groups. She enjoys singing, knitting, and swimming, and lives in a partially empty nest in western Massachusetts.
Publications
- Sky Gazing: a guide to the Moon, Sun, planets, stars, eclipses, constellations
- Sky Gazing is a guide to observing the sky from wherever you are, day or night—no telescope required. Kids aged 9–14 will learn how to find objects in the sky and delve into the science behind what they see, whether they live in a dark rural setting or under the bright lights of the city. Star charts will guide them in spotting constellations throughout the seasons and in both hemispheres while they learn about constellation myths from cultures around the world. Each chapter has guides to special events and binocular observing. Activities engage kids and their grown-ups in hands-on science.
- Magazine publications are too numerous to list here (I’m currently up to 30). See my List of Publications elsewhere on the site.
Social Media
Twitter: @MegTWrites
Facebook: Meg Thacher children’s author (megtwrites)
webpage: megthacher.com
High-resolution Images
Meg Thacher 