This Week in Edutainment | Sept 22 - Sept 26
We connect students around the world to primary source experts from a wide variety of topics and subjects. For more information, visit edutainmentlearning.com.
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Megan Van Petten is a purpose-driven leader who has spent over 20 years helping to transform nonprofit associations, foundations and societies while serving as CEO of Van Petten Group, an association management company. VPG helps organizations in transition by providing educational resources, bolstering national city tourism, event services and guidance to become self-managed. Megan coaches high-level executives and creates custom development opportunities to give organizations the research, tools and technology to bring their mission and vision to life.
During her time serving as the Fantasy Sports Trade Association (FSTA) Association Director, Megan was instrumental in scaling the association into one of the top 10 fastest growing industries in the country. She was also named by HuffPost as the Top 5 Most Influential Women in Fantasy Sports. This experience with sports and technology spurred Megan to launch a new association, the Esports Trade Association (ESTA), in 2017. ESTA is a nonprofit for the business of esports and video gaming industry based in Chicago, with Chapters positioned throughout the world. She actively oversees and contributes to the growth and development of this organization, with dedication and passion and is proud to have had a hand in launching the #LeadGenerously Leadership Program for ESTA Chapter leaders. She recently honored to be nominated for the WISE (Woman in Sports & Events) Women of Inspiration Awards.
Megan is an expert panelist, event speaker, and a host to two ESTA dedicated podcasts, EsportsConnected and EsportsNext, designed to showcase member stories, create personal and business connections within the esports community and highlight the annual EsportsNext conference.
She serves the esports community by being on the various advisory boards, including Stockton University and Beyond Sports Initiative. She also is a member of the National Speakers Association. Megan holds a Master’s degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and is pursuing Post Graduate work in Pastoral Studies to learn more about ways towards global peace. During her off time, she studies the global healing arts and is a volunteer lector for Holy Name Cathedral Parish.
Leah Galkowski has served CSS for more than 25 years. She is a certified trainer for the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, Safe Dates Curriculum, and I Can Problem Solve. She is also the state leader for OBPP and a Technical Assistance Consultant. She is certified in the school climate improvement process through the National Center on School Climate. Leah holds a bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice, with a minor in Spanish, from Penn State University.
Nicolo Banfi is an Italian explorer and photographer dedicated to capturing the beauty and resilience of the world’s most remote and secluded corners. Through his ongoing project, “Remoteness – Eyes to the Edge,” he documents the landscapes, cultures, and stories of places few have ever set foot, sharing a vision of the planet’s most isolated regions.
In 2022, Banfi embarked on a remarkable 52-day sailing expedition across the South Atlantic, beginning in Argentina and concluding in South Africa. The journey spanned 5,600 nautical miles and included awe-inspiring destinations such as Antarctica, South Georgia, and Tristan da Cunha.
His exploration continued in 2023 with over 30 days spent in the northern archipelago of the Cook Islands, highlighted by in-depth visits to the remote islands of Manihiki and Rakahanga.
Most recently, in 2024, Banfi set sail aboard an early 1900s ship to traverse the South Pacific. Over the course of 90 days and 6,500 nautical miles, he explored the Pitcairn Islands, the Marquesas, the Society Archipelago, and Tonga.
With each journey, Nicolo Banfi reaffirms his commitment to exploration, using his lens to reveal the raw beauty and cultural richness of the world’s farthest frontiers.
Edutainment Podcast
Our podcast features bi-weekly episodes that are uploaded to all major streaming platforms. Each episode comes with a downloadable student worksheet to accompany the listening portion!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Edutainment Learning? Edutainment Learning is an online educational platform that connects students and teachers to primary sources of learning from a wide variety of subjects. Our goal is to provide students access to in-person conversations with industry leaders, historical figures, athletes, musicians, and more.
Do I need to pay for this service? No! Our newsletter, programming, and student worksheets are accessible to everyone for free.
How do I join the live Zoom sessions? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/upcoming and click the link to join.
How do I find the student worksheets? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download free student worksheets.
