One the easiest and most fun ways to introduce kids to STEM concepts is through picture books. Whether at home or in the classroom, books can be used to learn about new ideas, start discussion, and inspire creativity! Many of our programs incorporate books for these very reasons. Here are our top 5 favourite STEM books that we recommend.
1. Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
Break down barriers to STEM with Ada Twist, Scientist! This book follows Ada Twist as she explores, creates, and questions everything) and maybe gets in some mischief along the way! Our favourite part about this book is that it helps to diversify the image of who belongs in the world of STEM. Ada Twist is a little girl of colour and we think that more books need to have a diverse cast of characters to show that STEM is for everyone! Also check out Iggy Peck, Architect and Rosie Revere, Engineer by the same author for even more STEM fun!
2. The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett and Gary Rubenstein
One of the rules at STEM MINDS is that Mistakes=Learning. If we don’t learn to embrace our mistakes as opportunities for learning, we are never going to get anywhere! The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes tells the story of Beatrice Bottomwell, who, as the title might suggest, never makes mistakes. But this keeps her from a lot of exciting opportunities and causes her a lot of worry. We follow along as she learns how to make mistakes and open up her world! We love this book as an introduction the ideas that mistakes are not the end of the world and are actually very valuable, a very important lesson in all areas of STEM.
3. What Do You Do With a Problem? By Kobi Yamada
What Do You Do With a Problem explores how we can learn to deal with our problems; ignoring them never gets us anywhere! A big focus at STEM MINDS is on problem-solving, and we love to use this book as an introduction to the idea that problems are really just opportunities to learn and create positive change, not something big and scary. A great book by the same author is What Do You Do With an Idea?
4. Boy + Bot by Ame Dyckman
Boy + Bot is an adorable story of a boy and his robot and how they come to better understand each other. We love to use this book as a way to introduce kids to the idea that robots speak a different language than us. We can’t get mad at them when they don’t do exactly what we want; we need to rethink how we are communicating with them so they can understand us!
5. Clink by Kelly DiPucchio
Clink is another adorable robot tale about an out of date robot who finally meets a boy who understands his unique charm. We like to use this book when we talk about how we can reuse, tinker, and fix up old technology. Everything has something that we can use and find valuable, it’s all in how you see it!
There you have it! These are just a few of our favourite STEM books that kids love and impart important messages about STEM. Looking to purchase a copy for yourself? Click the images! Have a favourite that wasn’t mentioned? Let us know in the comments below!
Written & Authored by Nicole Myers, Director of Curriculum & Business Development