Laura & Robert Sams Will Come to Your School

Just who is Laura Sams?
by Robert Sams

Just who is Laura Sams? The secret to fully understanding a person is to pinpoint the single most influential thing in that person’s life . . . the one thing that has shaped the person’s very being. At first I thought that “thing” might be the time Laura voluntarily ate birdseed in the 5th grade (long story). But no, that’s not it. For Laura, that answer is simple. It is I, her brother. I taught her everything she knows.

Laura was first introduced to our parents, Ron and Diane Sams, in 1977. She was their first born child. As an infant and a toddler, she spent much of her time refining her gross motor skills and learning how to speak.

After that, she was introduced to a friend whose 88 keys would change her life. And though she would never reach the level of a concert pianist, she did develop the amazing ability to play one song upside-down on the piano. I think she believed this skill would take her far.

Our parents, unsure of the financial stability of a traveling upside-down piano player, who could really only play one song upside-down, encouraged Laura to make the most of her education. And so she did. She graduated valedictorian of her high school in Illinois. Her outstanding academic achievements led her to one of the most prestigious of colleges, Michigan State University, where she received bachelor’s degrees in 1) Zoology and 2) Park, Recreation and Tourism Resources. She then received her Master’s degree in natural resources education.
Her studies in college opened the door for many new experiences across many different lands. She spent a summer in Kenya studying hyena behavior. She spent two months working in the education department at an aquarium in Mazatlán, Mexico. Her interest in scuba diving took her to the island of Anguilla, British West Indies, where she studies marine resources and tourism. She also worked as a summer intern with the marketing/education departments at the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo.

Though Laura’s career as an upside-down piano player never really panned out, the experence taught her to look at life from a different perspective. This would prove instrumental on the road to becoming a filmmaker. Her first video, MSU Quactivities, took a look at Michigan State through the eyes of the ducks that populate much of the campus. Her next effort, Observation, taught kids how to properly observe nature and featured a soon-to-be-classic children’s song, “Don’t Forget Your Eyeballs ‘Cause We’re Going Observing Today.” (It also starred her handsome brother!) Though these videos were quite rough, the ten people who actually watched them would probably agree they showed promise.

Laura also spent time working for Carl R. Sams II Photography, where she developed her skills and passion as an artist. Now Laura owns Sisbro Edventures with me, where she can make children’s films, using nature as a springboard for learning.

What’s in store next for Laura Sams? I have no clue, but I’ll leave you with a quote Laura tends to live by:

"Well, I've got a dream too. But, it's about singing and dancing and making people happy. That's the kind of dream that gets better the more people you share it with." ~~ Kermit The Frog ~~

While most school presentations are designed for kindergartners - fifth graders, Laura and Robert Sams are accomplished professionals who can tailor their presentation to stimulate learning for all ages.

Who is Robert Sams?
by Laura Sams

Right now you’re probably wondering, “Who is Robert Sams, really? What defines his very being? What would I say if I were on a game show, and to win one million dollars, I needed to describe the single most important fact about Robert Sams?” If you ask me, you only need to know one thing: He is my brother.

Okay, so there is more to Robert than, well, me. There’s actually a lot more. How did he get involved in children’s filmmaking? I shall tell you from a sister’s viewpoint.

In 1980, Ronald and Diane Sams became the proud parents of a baby boy, and I officially became a big sister. Rob and I are the only two Sams siblings, and according to mom, that was plenty. We never really fought. I guess when we were toddlers, we would record ourselves talking to each other for hours on a little boombox, holding our own version of a radio show. You can imagine the hilarious jokes we told as three and five year olds.
We grew up in a military family, moving around a lot. Rob went to two different high schools, one in Illinois and one in Virginia. Rob played the trombone in his Illinois high school band, but when he moved to Virginia, he took guitar lessons instead.

To schedule a presentation or obtain additional information about the great program Laura and Robert Sams will bring to your school, visit their web site: www.Sisbro.com.

Suddenly Robert was writing and singing songs on his guitar. He also began to make educational videos and write music for school projects. I once helped him make a video about the 1970s for a history class, during which we interviewed a bass in his fish tank about the Watergate scandal.

Robert attended Michigan State University, where he received bachelor’s degrees in 1) Zoology and 2) Agricultural and Natural Resource Education and Communication Systems. Yes, that was a long degree name. While in college, Robert worked as a zookeeper at the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo. He also traveled to the Caribbean to scuba dive and explore marine life. Rob really has a passion for nature, especially the marine world. (Seriously, when he has any extra money, he buys coral or fish for his fish tank.) Robert also traveled to Alaska to film grizzly bears and other such interesting creatures.

Somewhere along the way he became a true photographer and filmmaker. He can’t take a walk in the woods without thinking about lighting and camera angles. He recently found a katydid and was so excited to film it that I couldn’t help but laugh.

Robert now owns Sisbro Edventures with me. Don’t tell Robert I said this, but I believe he is extraordinarily talented. He has natural comic timing. His enthusiasm is infectious. He is genuine, humble and passionate. He also makes good apple pie and does a great llama impersonation.

So who is Robert Sams, really? I shall leave you with the warning that Robert wrote for Stranger in the Woods: The Movie. I think it applies to Robert himself.

"Warning: Only to be viewed under the strict supervision of a child or someone else young at heart. Failure to do so may result in unexpected smiling, occasional laughter, and, in some cases, extreme happiness."