STEAM Activities in 30 Minutes for Elementary Learners

Using STEAM activities, this book places school librarians at the intersection with inquiry in an elementary school. Learners will think like a scientist and design like an engineer using an iterative process to make authentic learning connections and develop a growth mindset. Designed to be completed in 30-minute class periods, 14 scaffolded STEAM activities allow school librarians to easily shift the same lesson between classes and grade levels. National School Library Standards alignments with STEAM content area standards promote instructional partnerships focused on teaching inquiry, collaboration, and learner-driven exploration, making STEAM a perfect approach for the elementary school library. An invaluable timesaver, this resource provides activities scaffolded for grade bands K-2, 3-4, and 5-6, engaging learners at greater levels of complexity or cognition; alignments to the AASL Standards Framework for Learners, the Next Generation Science Standards, and the National Core Arts Standards; science background for school librarians and other educators who may be unfamiliar with the STEAM concepts being explored; sample assessments, technology integration, collaboration and growth mindset tips, suggested picture books, and more. This tool will inspire school librarians and other educators to create opportunities to engage in STEAM practices, collaboratively writing and assessing their own scaffolded lesson plans.