STEM learning does not exist without the skills gained from other subjects in your child’s schooling! In the special STEM edition of our newsletter, we wanted to include a list of books about STEM that your child can read or that you can read together! Check out any or all of the following titles:
Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty: This story emphasizes the importance of making mistakes in the creative process. Young Rosie decides to hide her inventions because her uncle laughs at them. Years later, Rosie builds an invention for her aunt, which fails. Through this process, Rosie learns that failures are necessary to create something new. (Ages 5+)
Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty: This book is about a teacher who has had a bad experience in a skyscraper and won’t let anyone talk about buildings in her classroom. Iggy is a student who loves architecture and buildings and wants to talk about it at school. Then one day, Iggy is able to use his building skills to save the day on a field trip, and his teacher also changes her mind! (Ages 5+)
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires: Just like STEM makers and inventors in real life, this little girl learns that success is based on frustration, failure, and determination. And unlikely mentors. Because when the girl is so sick of failure and gives up, it’s her dog who encourages her to try again. Which leads her to eventually create the most magnificent thing! (Ages 3-7)
Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty: This story is about a small girl who loves to observe the world. She begins to ask “why,” and she is encouraged to pursue her passion for asking questions and testing hypotheses. She also inspires others to be more curious. (Ages 5-7)
Secret Coders by Gene Luen Yang and Mike Holmes: In this interactive graphic novel, Hopper and her friends notice strange things at their new, creepy school including that the birds are robots. To stop the strange birds and the evil janitor controlling them, the kids need your help with logic puzzles and basic programming. (Ages 8-12)
Math-terpieces by Greg Tang, illustrated by Greg Paprocki: In this innovative picture book, add an “A” to STEM to make STEAM. Using fine art, readers practice mathematical problem-solving with four basic principles: keep an open mind, form unusual number combinations, use multiple math skills, and find patterns. Kids are asked to find solutions to the questions poised for each painting. For example, in Dali’s famous melting clocks painting, readers are tasked with finding 8 ways to group the clocks. Don’t worry, if you need help, answers are in the back of the book. (Ages 7-10)
Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky: This book shows illustrated portraits of a diverse group of over 50 women scientists, past and present. These women include mathematicians, astronauts, microbiologists, primatologists, and more. These stories can inspire young girls to explore and dream. (Ages 10+)
See You in the Cosmos by Jack Cheng: There aren’t many novels that are able to mix fiction and STEM as seamlessly as this one does. Additionally, it caters to the attention span of middle-grade readers, which isn’t always easy to do. Centering on a young space-obsessed boy, Alex, and his dog, Carl Sagan, See You in the Cosmos is heartwarming, optimistic, and great for a light STEM-learning read. (Ages 10+)
Reading about topics in science, technology, engineering, and math can help invigorate your child’s thoughts and passions in these topics. Reading about both fictional and non-fictional characters and the way that these protagonists have pursued these topics can inspire your child to do it themselves and stir a love for STEM!
Photos courtesy of Amazon. Book ideas and Descriptions are Courtesy of:
