Browse all books

Books in Smithsonian Steam Readers series

  • Saving Migratory Birds

    Ben Nussbaum

    Perfect Paperback (Teacher Created Materials, Dec. 3, 2018)
    Learn how ornithologists are using modern technology to help migratory birds. Created in collaboration with smithsonian, this book builds literacy skills and uses real-world examples to show how the engineering design process is used to solve problems.
    V
  • The Science of Glass

    Lesley Ward

    Paperback (Teacher Created Materials, Dec. 3, 2018)
    Learn how something as simple as glass has played a huge role in scientific exploration! created in partnership with smithsonian, this high-interest steam reader builds literacy skills and features a hands-on steam challenge.
    X
  • Building Sandcastles

    Dona Herweck Rice

    Perfect Paperback (Teacher Created Materials, May 15, 2019)
    What does it take to build an amazing sandcastle? The answer is: more than you think! Take students on a fun exploration of the properties of sand and factors that influence sandcastle construction such as moisture and sunlight. 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.
    J
  • Making an Ocean Ecosystem

    Lisa Holewa

    Paperback (Teacher Created Materials, Dec. 3, 2018)
    Learn how they aquariums are created and how their tiniest members play big roles in these underwater worlds! created in partnership with smithsonian, this high-interest steam reader builds literacy skills and features a hands-on steam challenge.
    U
  • Smithsonian Grade 4 Pushing the Limits: 3-Book Set

    Teacher Created Materials

    Textbook Binding (Teacher Created Materials, Oct. 1, 2018)
    How have modern technologies like 3D printing changed prosthetic devices for the better? How do food scientists make potato chips that taste like a cheeseburger? Students will find the answers to these questions and many more with this STEAM book set devoted to pushing the limits! Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, these fact-packed informational texts engage students' curiosity about STEAM topics through real-world examples.This set features hands-on STEAM challenges that are perfect for makerspace activities and that guide students through every step of the engineering design process. It makes STEAM career connections by offering career advice from real-life Smithsonian employees working in STEAM fields. Each book in this set touches on all aspects of STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math! Take a virtual tour of the Smithsonian with this set that includes these titles: Rebuilding the Body; Making Movies in Technicolor; Selling More Snacks.
    V
  • Tracking a Storm

    Heather E. Schwartz

    Perfect Paperback (Teacher Created Materials -, Oct. 1, 2018)
    Meteorologists don't just predict the weather. They track hurricanes and tornadoes, and help people plan for disasters-beforee they strike! learn about this fascinating steam career with this high-interest book that features a hands-on steam activity.
    T
  • Taking Food To-Go

    Nellie Wilder

    Paperback (Teacher Created Materials, May 15, 2019)
    Getting food to go is easy, but it's not always good for the Earth. Learn about better alternatives to fast-food and to-go packaging with this fun and informative STEAM book. Created in collaboration with Smithsonian, this book makes it easy for parents and teachers to introduce STEAM topics to young learners and uses real-world examples to make STEAM topics easier to understand. It features an age-appropriate STEAM activity that is perfect for makerspaces and introduces kindergartners to the steps of the engineering design process. It helps beginning readers learn to read and is ideal for kindergarten students or ages 4-6.
    D
  • Piecing Art Together

    Dona Herweck Rice

    Perfect Paperback (Teacher Created Materials, May 15, 2019)
    What do toothpicks, dryer lint, plastic bottles, and soup cans have in common? They are all items that have been used to create art! Found art is a type of art that involves creating pieces from found objects that are not usually considered to be artistic. Learn how these ordinary objects are made into beautiful art. 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.
    N
  • Finding the Right Container

    Anne Montgomery

    Paperback (Teacher Created Materials, May 15, 2019)
    Different containers are designed to hold different things. Learn about shapes and categorizing with this fun STEAM book for kindergarten that makes it easy for parents and teachers to introduce STEAM to their youngest learners. Created in collaboration with Smithsonian, this book uses real-world examples to make STEAM topics easier to understand. It features an age-appropriate STEAM activity that is perfect for makerspaces and introduces kindergartners to the steps of the engineering design process. It helps beginning readers learn to read and is ideal for kindergarten students and ages 4-6.
    B
  • Making Music

    Elizabeth Austin

    Perfect Paperback (Teacher Created Materials, May 15, 2019)
    How do the levers, hammers, and strings of a piano work together to make music? How do the size and shape of a trumpet's bell affect its sound? Find the answers to these questions--and more--with this STEAM book that will ignite a curiosity about STEAM topics through real-world examples. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, 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' early childhood literacy skills and is ideal for 1st grade students or children ages 5-7.
    K
  • Being Like Butterflies

    Dona Herweck Rice

    Perfect Paperback (Teacher Created Materials, May 15, 2019)
    What do solar panels, waterproof clothing, and window coverings have in common? They are technologies that have been adapted based on studying butterflies! Learn what scientists have learned from butterflies with this STEAM book that will ignite a curiosity about STEAM topics through real-world examples. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this book 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 book that is ideal for 1st grade students or ages 5-7.
    J
  • Lighting the Night

    Nellie Wilder

    Paperback (Teacher Created Materials, May 15, 2019)
    Candles, kerosene lamps, electric lights, and flashlights are all things people have used throughout history to light up the night. Perfect for kindergarteners, this title makes it easy for parents and teachers to introduce STEAM and beginner science topics to their youngest learners. Created in collaboration with Smithsonian, this book uses real-world examples to make STEAM topics easier to understand. It features an age-appropriate STEAM activity that is ideal for makerspaces and introduces grade K students to the steps of the engineering design process. It helps beginning readers learn to read and is ideal for children ages 4-6.
    LB