Picture books have become more popular and widely used and a great way of intersecting literacy with STEM projects. STEM is the study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. Often the intersection of these disciplines is where project and inquiry-based learning can be explored and undertaken, particularly in K-6 contexts.
Teachers and students love picture books and using them to explore Science, Maths, Engineering and Technology adds a new dimension of fun and relatability for students and teachers alike. There are two types of picture books that can be integrated with STEM projects. Ones which are STEM specific books where the protagonists activity create and explore STEM concepts and other books which are fictional and explorer broader themes and ideas that lend themselves to STEM concepts. Here are 5 awesome STEM text for use with students in grades 2 to 6.
Nick & Tesla's Secret Agent Gadget Battle
Nick & Tesla Holt are inquisitive 11 year old siblings who use their STEM skills to solve mysteries. In the third book in their series they engineer a series of gadgets and contraptions including code wheels, fingerprint readers, spy cameras and burglar alarms, to determine if their is a spy in their midst. Each Nick & Tesla contains instructions for the engineering projects they make in the book, so kids can make these at home too.
Grades: 4-6 Recommended Ages: 9 – 11 years
STEM Ideas:
Design and Produce secret agent gadgets and technologies
Modifying gadgets and technologies
Make online games and toys
Curriculum Links:
Science (Circuits, Lights & Sound, Sensors, How Systems work)
History (historical changes)
Technology:
Little Bits, Microbits, Makey Makey, Scratch
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T Bone Drone
by Shanda McCloskey
Lucas loves playing with his new toy TBone Drone. He flies his drone everywhere and tries to integrate his drone in a neighbourhood game.
Grades: 2-4 Recommended Ages: 4-8years
Can be modified across grades 2 to 6 depending on the complexity of the project and curriculum links.
STEM Ideas:
Make games and toys
Create a Hovercraft using Magnets and CDs
Build and fly a drone
Explore how drones are used today and in the future
Curriculum Links:
Science (Circuits, Lights & Sound, Magnetism)
History (historical changes)
Technology:
Airblock Drones, Lego Drones, Microbits, Makey Makey, Scratch
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Mechanica: A Beginners Field Guide
by Lachlan Balchin
Set in the future in 2200 all wildlife has become extinct due to global warming. Big Corporations have replaced by all natural animals with Mechanica, mechanical versions of the animals we know and love. This book has some very cool and creative images and descriptions of a possible scary future. Balchin also released Aquatica, which are the Aquatic versions of these mechanical wildlife.
Grades: 4-6 Recommended Ages: 4+
Can be modified across grades 2 to 6 depending on the complexity of the project and curriculum links.
STEM Ideas:
Make Mechanical animals using physical computing or online
Make digital narratives about Mechanica animals using Minecraft or Scratch
Make habitats for Mechanica animals in Minecraft or CoSpaces
Curriculum Links:
Science (Living World, Circuits, Lights & Sound, Magnetism)
History (historical changes)
Geography (Animal Adaptions & Habitats)
Technology:
Little Bits, Microbits, Minecraft Education Edition, Makey Makey, Lego, Ozobot, Dash and Dot, Sphero, Scratch, CoSpaces
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The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors
By Drew Daywalt, Adam Rex (Illustrator)
The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors looks at the origins of the famous game and how the game has become a legendary game of Rock, Paper, Scissors.
Grades: 3-6 Recommended Ages: 4+
Can be modified across grades 2 to 6 depending on the complexity of the project and curriculum links.
STEM Ideas:
Make Rock, Paper, Scissors games using Physical Computing
Make online versions of Rock, Paper, Scissors
Curriculum Links:
Maths (Chance, Probability)
History (historical changes, games over time)
Technology:
Little Bits, Microbits, Makey Makey, Scratch
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Engibears Bridge
By Andrew King
Engibear, bearbot and his friends spend the year designing and building a bridge to help out their friends at Munnagong Primary School. The look at different bridge types and structures and work together to build the best bridge for their town. The book explores all aspects of bridges and encourages students to follow along with Engibear in making their own bridge.
Grades: 3-6 Recommended Ages: 4+
Can be modified across grades 2 to 6 depending on the complexity of the project and curriculum links.
STEM Ideas:
Design and make a bridge using straws, spaghetti etc
Design and make a digital bridge in Minecraft Education Edition
Curriculum Links:
Maths (Measurement, Geometry)
Science & Engineering (Bridges design and structure, Forces)
History (Bridges over time)
Technology:
Little Bits, Microbits, Makey Makey, Scratch, Lego, Straws, Minecraft Education
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Keep a look out, in a couple of weeks Towering Technology will share a Top 5 Preschool to Year 1 STEM books.
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