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Books in Smithsonian Readers series

  • Making Water Safe

    Nellie Wilder

    Perfect Paperback (Teacher Created Materials, May 15, 2019)
    Everyone needs clean water to live. But not everyone has access to clean water. Learn how people around the world are working hard to solve the clean water problem! Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this STEAM book will ignite a curiosity about STEAM topics through real-world examples. It features a hands-on STEAM challenge that is perfect for makerspaces and that guides students step-by-step through the engineering design process. Make STEAM career connections with career advice from actual Smithsonian employees working in STEAM fields. This book builds young readers' foundational literacy skills and is ideal for 1st grade students or children ages 5-7.
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  • Helping Injured Animals

    Anne Montgomery

    Perfect Paperback (Teacher Created Materials, May 15, 2019)
    Learn how prosthetic devices and 3D printing are being used to help injured dogs, cats, elephants, and dolphins with this fun and informative book. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this STEAM book will ignite a curiosity about STEAM topics through real-world examples. It features a hands-on STEAM challenge that is perfect for makerspaces and that guides students step-by-step through the engineering design process. Make STEAM career connections with career advice from actual Smithsonian employees working in STEAM fields. This book builds young readers' foundational literacy skills and is ideal for 1st grade students or ages 5-7.
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  • Life in a Cube

    Seth Rogers

    Paperback (Teacher Created Materials, Dec. 3, 2018)
    Learn how studying life in one Cubic foot can teach us about life on the entire planet! created in partnership with the smithsonian institution, this high-interest steam reader builds literacy skills and features a hands-on steam challenge.
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  • Rebuilding the Body

    John-Michael Seeber

    Perfect Paperback (Teacher Created Materials -, Oct. 1, 2018)
    3D-printed prosthetics. Bionic and robotic limbs. Learn how technology has advanced the field of prosthetics. With a hands-on steam activity, this book uses real-world examples to teach how the engineering design process is used to solve problems.
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  • The Star-Spangled Banner

    Nancy Lambert

    Paperback (Penguin Young Readers, June 14, 2016)
    Three cheers for the red-white-and-blue in this Smithsonian nonfiction reader!The original Star-Spangled Banner that flew over Fort McHenry, Baltimore, in 1814 and inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words that would become the national anthem of the United States is the showpiece of the Smithsonian! In this lively nonfiction book, young readers will read about the story behind the flag, the song, and how the Smithsonian cares for this most precious national treasure.
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  • Dealing with Wildfires

    Kristy Stark

    Perfect Paperback (Teacher Created Materials, May 15, 2019)
    This informative title teaches students about the causes of wildfires, how firefighters put them out, the differences between different types of fire, how to prevent wildfires, and the aftereffects of wildfires on both people and the environment. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this STEAM book will ignite a curiosity about STEAM topics through real-world examples. It features a hands-on STEAM challenge that is perfect for makerspaces and that guides students step-by-step through the engineering design process. Make STEAM career connections with career advice from Smithsonian employees working in STEAM fields. Ideal for school reports and projects, this informational text will appeal to reluctant readers and ages 6-8.
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  • Curious About Pluto

    James Buckley Jr.

    Paperback (Grosset & Dunlap, June 14, 2016)
    Hello, Pluto!What’s cold, dark, far away, and has a “heart” one thousand miles wide? Pluto! In this highly-visual Smithsonian book, kids can check out exciting information and sensational photographs transmitted by the New Horizons spacecraft on its historic fly-by of the distant and mysterious dwarf planet.
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  • Predicting Earthquakes

    Kristy Stark

    Perfect Paperback (Teacher Created Materials -, July 2, 2018)
    Earthquakes can leave people and property in bad shape. At times, they can be deadly. Find out about the science of studying earthquakes and the men and women who track the movements of the ground below us. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this Smithsonian Informational Text builds students' reading skills while engaging their curiosity about STEAM topics through real-world examples. It features a hands-on STEAM challenge that guides students through every step of the engineering design process and is perfect for makerspace activities. It makes STEAM career connections by providing a glimpse into the lives of real-life Smithsonian employees currently working in STEAM fields. Discover engineering innovations that solve real-world problems with this book that touches on all aspects of STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math!
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  • Plant Invaders

    Vickie An

    Paperback (Teacher Created Materials, Dec. 3, 2018)
    Learn how people are working to stop the growth of invasive plant species and what you can do to help! created in partnership with smithsonian, this high-interest steam reader builds literacy skills and features a hands-on steam challenge.
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  • Underwater Training

    Danica Kassebaum

    Perfect Paperback (Teacher Created Materials -, June 1, 2018)
    Did you know that swimming pools are used to train astronauts? Athletes use swimming pools to train when they're injured, and doctors use them to help patients feel better. Learn how swimming pools and aquatic therapy help all kinds of people! Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this Smithsonian Informational Text builds students' reading skills while engaging their curiosity about STEAM topics through real-world examples. It features a hands-on STEAM challenge that guides students through every step of the engineering design process and is perfect for makerspace activities. It makes STEAM career connections by providing a glimpse into the lives of real-life Smithsonian employees currently working in STEAM fields. Discover engineering innovations that solve real-world problems with this book that touches on all aspects of STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math!
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  • Selling More Snacks

    Vickie An

    Perfect Paperback (Teacher Created Materials -, Oct. 1, 2018)
    How do food scientists make chips that taste like cheeseburgers and design packaging that keeps snack foods freshlearn the science of food technology and the problems that food scientists solve with this book that features a hands-on steam activity.
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  • Powered by the Sun

    Joseph Otterman

    Perfect Paperback (Teacher Created Materials, May 15, 2019)
    Learn how scientists channel energy from the sun to power awesome innovations! Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this STEAM book will ignite a curiosity about STEAM topics through real-world examples. It features a hands-on STEAM challenge that is perfect for makerspaces and that guides students step-by-step through the engineering design process. Make STEAM career connections with career advice from actual Smithsonian employees working in STEAM fields. Introduce early science topics to young readers with this STEAM book that is ideal for 1st grade students or ages 5-7.
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