STEM

NSTA Unveils Best STEM Books for K–12 Students

• By Richard Chang
• 12/07/16

The National Science Teachers Association has unveiled its inaugural list of “Best STEM Books K–12.” The list — selected by volunteer educators and assembled in cooperation with the Children’s Book Council — provides recommendations to teachers, librarians, parents and caregivers about the best trade books with STEM content for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

Members of the book review panel, made of STEM educators and literacy professionals appointed by NSTA, selected 31 books for the list from approximately 330 submissions. The panel based its decision on the members’ knowledge and looked for the very best STEM books that they believed would inspire K–12 students.

The list of winning titles, available on this website, includes topics that range from Benjamin Franklin to cancer research to genetic engineering and features thoughtful stories, engaging explorations, vividly illustrated books and biographies.

Titles include “Ada Lovelace, Poet of Science,” “Emmet’s Storm,” “Fearless Flyer,” “Green City,” “The Inventor’s Secret,” “The Secret Subway,” “Steve Jobs,” “Trailblazers” and “Welcome to Mars.”

“Each book reinforces STEM thinking — modeling innovation, demonstrating authentic problem-solving and assimilation of new ideas, all while exploring solutions that show progressive change or improvement,” said David Beacom, NSTA’s chief content officer, in a statement.

The best STEM books K–12 project is a joint venture of several organizations, including the American Society for Engineering Education, the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association, the NSTA, the Society of Elementary Presidential Awardees and the Children’s Book Council.

In addition to the website, the list will appear in the March 2017 issues of NSTA’s elementary, middle level and high school journals for teachers.