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The STEM movement in education is so important to kids. Experts in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math are desperately needed in this technology driven world. There are so many great STEM books for kids and I want to tell you about a few that we love today. Books are one of the best ways (other than hands-on STEM projects) that I have found to teach these topics to my kids.
The earlier kids begin STEM ideas and skills and mastering them, the better off they will be for their future careers. There is great demand for graduates with science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM skills). Nearly all of the 30 fastest-growing occupations in the next decade will require STEM skills. However, only 16 percent of American high school seniors are interested in a STEM career. The numbers are even lower for girls and minorities. We are raising up the next generation of computer scientists and engineers right now and their minds will be the ones that continue to push us into a better future.
As a homeschool mom I have so many creative options for teach STEM subjects to my kids and we love doing it! There are online programs, hands-on learning ideas, books the 4-H programs, and more! One important skill I see that comes from STEM education is problem solving. I am trying hard to teach my kids to be leaders and problem solvers, people who are not afraid to jump in and help when they see a need and do their part. This is not always an easy skill to teach!
I mentioned books and you guys know how much I love them! Books can be such a positive (or negative!) influence on how kids think. Today I have compiled a list of books that teach STEM (or STEAM) in creative ways to kids. I love having my kids read books like this because it encourages my own kids to think in creatively. Problem solving is a necessary skill for kids to learn at a young age. It will help them in so many ways in the future! People who know how to solve problems easily and in creative ways will be better leaders now and in the future.
STEM Books for Kids
Archimedes and the Door to Science by Jeanne Bendick is one I have mentioned before. We LOVE it and this whole series. Through pictures, texts and examples kids can try you learn about the ancient mathematician and scientist Archimedes is such a fun way that my kids were begging for more!
Galen and the Gateway to Medicine is another in the same series as the previous book. This one is written in a similar way with pictures, stories, and hands-on ideas. Galen was one of the first people to study and understand human anatomy. This teaches about his learning journey. It is so fun and interesting for kids!
Along Came Galileo is also by Jeanne Bendick and is in the same series as the above two. (Can you tell we love these books?) This one is about the history of Galileo and how he learned about astronomy, physics and math to understand the universe!
Janice VanCleave’s Books are great for teaching science and engineering to kids in really hands-on ways! They are full of project ideas. She has so many different ones. We have the Chemistry and Physics and Engineering ones at our house and they are great for STEM education. She also has Biology, Earth Science, Astronomy, and more!
Bridges: Amazing Structures to Design, Build & Test by Carol H. Johmann is such a fun book to focus on for the Engineering part of STEM. IT has all kinds of hands-on project ideas and descriptions to understand the different way bridges work! WE have done a few and love it.
The Storybook of Science by Jean Henri Fabre is a story about all kinds of natural science elements. It is a wonderfully charming book that we enjoyed reading and learning from as a family. It is an older one, first published in 1917, but still relevent today!
This is Not a Maths Book by Anna Weltman is such a fun book for hands-on creative math learning with kids. It combines math and art with creative projects that kids will really enjoy!
The Way We Work and The Way Things Work by David Macaulay are both similar books and we adore both of them. One is about the human body and one is about Technologies of our day and how they work. It is full of colorful diagrams and descriptions and my kids just pore over them.
Origami & Geometry by John Montroll is a book that combines art and math to make geometric paper creations. It is challenging, but a lot of fun as well! This is suited for older kids.
Help Your Kids with Computer Coding by DK Publishing is a great book to introduce kids to coding and help them start out with it. We used this with my son last year and he has really taken off with it because of this knowledge. There is also a workbook that goes along with it for kids. (See my review!)
What do you do to encourage STEM education and problem solving with your kids? At home my kids are learning coding, and computer skills. We do lots of hands-on science, art, math and engineering projects and use technology to solve many problems. Along with our teaching at home, we are part of an amazing homeschool co-op where leadership and problem solving are taught through various classes including Leadership, Lego Robotics, Computer Programming, Anatomy, Hands-on STEM, Junior Inventors, Finance and Magic School Bus Science. I love that my kids are being encouraged by peers and teachers in these classes. Help your kids learn to be problem solvers and great leaders!! Let them lead their peers by example and not be afraid to try new things. Help them learn to be problems solvers who can solve the needs of tomorrow!
4-H science programs provide many opportunities to learn about STEM through fun, hands-on activities and projects. They also offer the STEM Career Pathway, an easy to follow, 4-step framework for exploring, learning, practicing and experiencing STEM careers. The 4-H STEM curriculum goes through a rigorous review process by top universities across the nation, ensuring the highest quality materials.
4-H science programs are available through local clubs, schools and grant-funded programs. Focus areas for 4-H science programs include:
· Environmental Science
· Veterinary Science
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of 4-H. The opinions and text are all mine.