We are in the middle of National Friends of Libraries Week, and at the start of National Book Month, National Reading Group Month, and International School Library Month! This is definitely a time to enjoy reading amazing stories and books that introduce us to new experiences and ideas. It’s also a reminder that we can find these amazing stories with STEAM concepts. Science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics should take up more than a couple of baskets or shelves in our classroom library – they should be regular parts of our daily teaching and learning lives. STEAM education creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy, and empowers the next generation of innovators. STEAM affects every area of our lives and it's important for our youth to see and understand how they can create a positive impact on how our world operates. By integrating reading and literacy with STEAM, not only do our youth develop as stronger readers, their interests in STEAM education and careers are piqued.
So, check out this list of STEAM books and choose a few, if not all, to add to your libraries this month.
Science
- Albert Einstein & Relativity for Kids: His Life and Ideas with 21 Activities and Thought Experiments – With activities to expose children to the world of physics while learning about world-renowned Albert Einstein
- All in a Drop: How Antony van Leeuwenhoek Discovered an Invisible World – Learn how Antony van Leeuwenhoek see bacteria, protozoa, and cells using revolutionary microscopes
- Ask a Scientist – Q & A of world-renowned scientist Robert Winston
- Mae Among the Stars – inspiring story of the first American woman to go to space
- Shark Lady - A woman dispels the myths about sharks as she researches their behaviors
- The Disappearing Spoon and Other True Tales of Rivalry, Adventure, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of Elements – Learn how the periodic table came to be through a rich history including rivalries
- Tomie de Paola’s The Quicksand Book – Jungle Girl and Jungle Boy try to figure out how to get out of quicksand!
Technology
- Calling All Minds – Temple Grandin uncovers the science of everyday inventions, inviting young ones to try their hands at innovation
- Nick & Tesla’s High Voltage Danger Lab: A Mystery with Electromagnets, Burglar Alarms, & Other Gadgets You Can Build Yourself – Solve problems using science and technology concepts and skills
- The House That Cleaned Itself: The True Story of Frances Gabe’s (Mostly) Marvelous Invention – Frances Gabe works to design a house that cleans itself!
Engineering
- Cao Chong Weighs an Elephant – Young Cao Chong creates several designs to weigh an elephant
- If I Built a Car – A young boy wants to improve his dad’s car
- How Machines Work – Zoo Break! - Animal friends escape the zoo using simple machines
- Instructions Not Included: How a Team of Women Coded the Future - True story of three WWII-era women who changed the modern world
- Secret Coders – Kids in this special school solve puzzles and mysteries
- Secret Engineer: How Emily Roebling Built the Brooklyn Bridge – True story of how Roebling supervised the building of this world-famous bridge
- The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind – True story of how a young person researched solutions to save his village
Arts
- Crafty Science – Arts are integrated with activities that touch on all aspects of STEAM learning
- The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons – Learn about the inventor of Crayola crayons to bring vibrant colors for all artists, young and old
- The Music of Life – The invention of the piano integrates science and music
Math
- Count on Me – A young girl appreciates the math that surrounds her
- CRASH! BOOM! A Math Tale – Elephant shows children how to keep trying and persevering through learning math concepts
- Math-terpieces: The Art of Problem-Solving – book uses Salvador Dali’s paintings to help students practice problem solving requiring patterns
- Nothing Stopped Sophie: The Story of Unshakable Mathematician Sophie Germain – Learn how Sophie faced the odds to become a successful mathematician
- Peg + Cat: The Pizza Problem – Peg and Cat must figure out how to divide a pizza using fractions
Let us know which books you've added to your class libraries and your review!
To learn how Boxlight can help amp up STEAM learning with your class, school, and district, go to boxlight.com/stem-education.