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50 STEM Books to Update Your Collection

Get kids excited about science, technology, engineering, and math!

50 STEM Books to Update Your Collection

To discover even more pre-K–12 books to add to your school or classroom library, visit Penguin Young Readers .

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STEM books are finally getting a chance to shine in schools as educators increasingly shift their focus towards incorporating more science, technology, engineering, and math into their classrooms. The biggest challenge is deciding which STEM books to include in classroom and school libraries.

An educator asked our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE for advice about adding STEM books to her school’s library collection. She wrote, “I am a K–8 librarian media specialist. This is my second year on the job, and I’m trying to update large sections of our school library. Our collection of nonfiction books is sorely lacking. Some of the books are 20 years older than me! Are there any STEM-related books that our library must have? I’d love any suggestions! Thanks so much!”

With a little help from the educators in our WeAreTeachers Facebook group and our friends at Penguin Young Readers, we put together an extensive list of 50 modern STEM-themed books that your classroom or school library simply shouldn’t do without. Plus get a printable STEM book list that organizes many of these titles (plus more!) by specific theme (science, technology, engineering, or math) and recommended grade level—a great resource for building your classroom or school library!

Penguin STEM Book List

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1.  Amazing Visual Math  by DK Publishing

This clever book makes math a hands-on learning experience. It also features flaps, windows, and pop-ups that explain basic math concepts. Students will learn about shapes, time, measurement, and much more.

See You in the Cosmos

2.  See You in the Cosmos  by Jack Cheng

There aren’t many novels that are able to mix fiction and STEM as seamlessly as this one does. Additionally, it caters to the attention span of middle-grade readers, which isn’t always easy to do. Centering on a young space-obsessed boy, Alex, and his dog, Carl Sagan, See You in the Cosmos is heartwarming, optimistic, and great for a light STEM-learning read.

Girls Who Code

3.  Girls Who Code: Learn to Code and Change the World  by Reshma Saujani

You may know about the Girls Who Code movement already, but if you haven’t incorporated the book that started it all into your library, you need to. Filled with beautiful graphics, inspiring success stories of women in technology, and coding lessons, Girls Who Code has something for everyone. Many young girls are intimidated by the idea of learning to code, but this book brings coding skills alive in such an approachable way that your students may just find themselves learning as they read.

The Friendship Code

4.  Girls Who Code: The Friendship Code #1  by Stacia Deutsch and Reshma Saujani

Ever look back with nostalgia on those long days spent curled up with a Babysitter’s Club book? Well, never fear! The Friendship Code is reminiscent of the classic series and mixes in a little bit of coding. Make sure your students have access to this one.

5.  Eye to Eye: How Animals See the World  by Steve Jenkins

Caldecott Honor–winning author-illustrator Steve Jenkins creates beautiful torn and cut paper illustrations to explain the evolution of the eye. Students will learn how important the eye is to the survival of many species.

6.  Smithsonian  Ocean: Our Water, Our World  by Deborah Cramer

This gorgeous book explores the origin and beauty of the world’s oceans. It also raises our awareness of the important partnership we have with the these vital bodies of water.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

7.  The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer

In this memoir, William Kamkwamba reflects on how he saved his Malawian village as a boy by building a windmill and bringing electricity to the community. Eloquently adapted for young readers, this story will not only help them realize how important electricity is for our society, but it will also inspire them to think outside the box during their daily lives. 

8.  Atoms Under the Floorboards: The Surprising Science Hidden in Your Home  by Chris Woodford

Packed with fun facts, this book is an exploration of the science behind the objects and processes of everyday life.

9.  If: A Mind-Bending New Way of Looking at Big Ideas and Numbers  by David J. Smith

This “fact-filled, knock-your-socks-off” book takes huge numbers and ideas and turns them into things that can be grouped and counted. It’s perfect for scale and measurement studies. It also includes suggestions for classroom projects.

Twinderella

10.  Twinderella, A Fractioned Fairy Tale  by Corey Rosen Schwartz

This book is a great choice for younger kids. Introduce them to problem-solving techniques they will use throughout their lives by reading them this charming fractioned fairy tale. What if Cinderella actually had a twin sister the whole time?

Warcross

11.  Warcross  by Marie Lu

Talk about a YA novel you won’t be able to put down! Warcross is an award-winning book about a teenage hacker who accidentally immerses herself in the sinister world behind one of the world’s most popular video games. This one will keep your students interested and teach them a few things about STEM. 

12.  Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau  by Jennifer Berne

Jacques Cousteau fell in love with the ocean as a boy and grew up to become a champion of the seas. One of the best-known oceanographers in the world, this beautifully illustrated biography tells Cousteau’s story. Students will learn to love the water as much as Cousteau did.

13.  Calling All Minds: How to Think and Create Like an Inventor by Temple Grandin

Renowned creator Temple Grandin shares stories, inventions, and facts in this book that is sure to inspire. In fact, it may be just the inspiration your classroom’s aspiring inventors need to get their creative juices flowing.

14.  Wildlife of the World by DK Publishing

This gorgeous book explores animal habitats in various regions of the world. Filled with wonderful photographs and interesting facts, this is a book kids will not want to put down.

How to Code a Sandcastle

15.  How to Code a Sandcastle  by Josh Funk

Filled with bright colors and light humor, How to Code a Sandcastle is the perfect way to introduce kids in younger grades to coding concepts. It is simple, easy to follow, and will certainly keep young audiences entertained and engaged.

16.  Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France by Mara Rockliff

Using logic and reason, Benjamin Franklin tries to disprove the “miracle cure” powers of a French doctor. This engaging story, with its entertaining illustrations, is a great introduction to the scientific method.

Electric Ben

17.  Electric Ben: The Amazing Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin by Robert Byrd

You can never have enough Ben Franklin! Filled with gorgeous illustrations detailing Ben Franklin’s life and accomplishments, this book will awaken the inventor within your young listeners.

18.  Rosie Revere Engineer by Andrea Beaty

Rosie dreams of becoming a famous engineer, a “brilliant inventor of gizmos and gadgets.” She sets out to create a flying machine for her aunt but encounters stumbling blocks along the way. A wonderful story of creativity and perseverance.

19.  Knowledge Encyclopedia by DK Publishing

This reference book is filled with interesting facts, maps, and 3-D rendered graphics. The chapters are detailed and show an intimate look at Earth, space, nature, and so much more.

Earn It

20.  Earn It! by Cinders McLeod

Introduce your pre-K to K class to the concept of earning success with this adorable picture book. Its main character is an adorable bunny who just wants to be a famous singer but soon realizes that achieving her dreams is going to take a little patience and perseverance. 

21.  The Way Things Work Now by David MacCauley

“Everything a machine does is in accordance with a set of principles or scientific laws.” So begins the introduction of David MacCauley’s latest visual guide to the world of machines.

How to Build a Museum

22.  How to Build a Museum: Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture by Tonya Bolden

The NMAAHC is the latest museum to be built on the National Mall, and getting to that point was far from easy. Explore the fascinating process behind the museum and experience its story—the story of all those educators, activists, politicians, curators, and so many more who fought for this moment for a long time. It’ll be one nonfiction book your class won’t be able to get enough of!

23.  Illustrated Elementary Science Dictionary by Usborne Publishing

This fact-filled reference book explains basic scientific principles in a clear, no-frills way. This book is great for laying a foundation of scientific learning. Visual learners, especially, will enjoy this title.

24.  Illustrated Elementary Math Dictionary by Usborne Publishing

Also from Usborne, this reference book explores mathematical concepts in the same manner as the scientific dictionary above.

The Friendship Code

25.  To the Moon!: The True Story of the American Heroes on the Apollo 8 Spaceship by Jeffrey Kluger and Ruby Shamir

This suspenseful and awe-inspiring book revolves around the Apollo 8 mission to the moon. Keep this fun book in your classroom to remind your students that they should shoot for the moon—because they might just make it there.

26.  On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein by Jennifer Berne

This whimsically illustrated book explores the early life of the brilliant scientist Albert Einstein. With quiet observation and unmatched imagination, Einstein’s remarkable ideas changed the way scientists think.

I am Jane Goodall

27.  I  Am Jane Goodall (Ordinary People Change the World) by Brad Meltzer

Appropriate for a wide age range, this biography is vivacious and fun to read. More importantly, it will teach readers to think about the impact of their actions on the world and the importance of passion.

28.  Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos by Stephanie Roth Sisson

This story shows how accomplished scientist Carl Sagan went from a curious boy to a famous astronomer and author. With charming illustrations, this book “introduces the beloved man who brought the mystery of the cosmos into homes across America to a new generation of dreamers and star gazers.”

Jada Jones Rockstar

29.  Jada Jones: Rock Star #1 by Kelly Starling Lyons

Contrary to what the title might lead you to believe, this easy-to-read chapter book is actually about rock science. Let your students join Jada Jones as she navigates through mineral research and making new friends.

30.  How to Be a Math Genius: Your Brilliant Brain and How to Train It by Mike Goldsmith

Most kids don’t realize that they use math all the time. This clever guide explores the “math brain” and features a host of math facts, activities, and puzzles.

Here We Are

31.  Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers

Here We Are is a poignant tale on what it means to be a human living on Earth and teaches readers valuable lessons about acceptance. Do your students a favor and read them this touching tale; it will transform the way they see themselves and their world.

32.  The Kids’ Book of Simple Machines: Cool Projects and Activities That Make Science Fun by Kelly Doudna

Kids will love learning about six simple machines and how they make our life easier. Full of projects and activities, this is THE book for junior engineers and scientists.

Girling Up

33.  Girling Up! by Mayim Bialik

Mayim Bialik, of The Big Bang Theory , explores the science and emotion behind growing up in this must-read for teenage girls. We all know growing up isn’t easy, but maybe this book will make it just a little less difficult for older students.

HelloFlo

34.  HelloFlo: The Guide, Period. by Naama Bloom

What makes HelloFlo the best puberty book for the modern girl? It’s honest, unapologetically messy, and empowering all at the same time. Don’t let your girls grow up without this book.

35.  Women in Science by Rachel Ignotofsky

Inspiring tales of 50 distinguished scientific minds—all of whom are women. Learn about trailblazers such as scientist Marie Curie, ecologist Rachel Carson, and astronaut Mae Jemison.

Felix Yz

36.  Felix Yz by Lisa Bunker

Felix Yz was accidentally fused with a fourth-dimensional being at the age of three. This book details the days leading up to the separation surgery he must undergo years later, and it will have readers on the edge of their seats!

37.  Electrical Wizard: How Nikola Tesla Lit up the World by Elizabeth Rusch

A wonderful biography of Nikola Tesla, a pioneer of modern electrical engineering and a contemporary of Thomas Edison. Students will be inspired by his genius, tenacity, and imagination

38.  STEM Starter for Kids Technology Activity Book by Catherine Bruzzone

Filled with clear explanations, facts, and illustrated activities, this book is full of discoveries that will infect kids with the technology bug.

What Is Climate Change

39.  What Is Climate Change? by Gail Herman and Who HQ

Help younger grades wrap their heads around the issue of “global warming.” What is it? What can they do to help fix it?

40.  Big Questions from Little People: And Simple Answers from Great Minds by Gemma Elwin Harris

The title of this one says it all. This is a great guidebook for all curious kids and also unsure adults who may not have all the answers.

Who Was George Washington Carver

41.  Who Was George Washington Carver? by Jim Gigliotti and Who HQ

George Washington Carver’s mind-boggling success in the agricultural world is definitely worth reading about. Make sure this great man’s name is one heard frequently in your classroom.

Who Was Sally Ride

42.  Who Was Sally Ride? by Megan Stine and Who HQ

Sally Ride, a four-time graduate of Stanford University and the first American woman to fly in space, was truly a remarkable woman. Even after her success as an astronaut, she worked hard to make science accessible for girls everywhere—so make sure she’s accessible to the girls in your classroom!

Where is Our Solar System

43.  Where Is Our Solar System? by Stephanie Sabol and Who HQ

Make sure your students know everything about the solar system with this engaging book. They’ll use it to learn facts, debunk fiction, and discover the history behind humanity’s current understanding of astronomy.

44.  Baby Animals (Animal Planet Animal Bites) by Dorothea DePrisco

Young readers love books about baby animals. This collection features adorable photographs and interesting facts about animal behavior, family relationships, and more.

45.  Maker Lab: 28 Super Cool Projects by Jack Challoner

Makerspaces are the hot new topic in STEM education. This guide gives students plenty of options for “super cool projects.” Students can make things like a Popsicle stick DNA strand or a paper cup wind catcher. They can also learn to make the ever-popular sticky slime.

Math Curse

46.  Math Curse by Jon Scieszka

This vivid and humorous story will help your students clearly see the shape math takes in their daily lives. Maybe they’ll even stop asking that dreaded question, “But what do we really need math for?” A teacher can dream!

47.  National Geographic Everything series

National Geographic has a long list of STEM titles. Their popular Everything series tackles topics such as weather, rocks and minerals, and much more.

From Here to There

48.  From Here to There: The Story of How We Transport Ourselves and Everything Else by HP Newquist

From camels to cars, humans have always been off to somewhere or another using some special mode of transportation. This book offers an exploration of transportation methods from long ago into the near future. From Here to There will answer questions about how we move that your students never even knew they had.

49.  Sally Ride Science Series: Cool Careers in STEM

An amazing book series from Sally Ride Science at the University of California, San Diego. There are also other series, including Our Changing Climate , Key Concepts in Science , and Inside Story of Our Solar System . Be sure to also check out the STEM-related resources, discussions, and events.

An Abundance of Katherines

50.  An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

One of John Green’s lesser-known masterpieces, An Abundance of Katherines is a book filled with heart and soul—but don’t be fooled! It’s also a great “undercover” STEM read, chock-full of anagrams and theorems. Though centered on a child prodigy, your students don’t need to be prodigies to read it. Even better, it’s a read that they will certainly get something out of.

BONUS: Get a printable STEM book list that organizes STEM titles by specific theme (science, technology, engineering, or math) and recommended grade level. A great resource for building your classroom or school library!

50 STEM Books to Update Your Collection

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  • © 2020

STEM Education for the 21st Century

  • Bryan Edward Penprase 0

Dean of Faculty, Soka University of America, Aliso Viejo, USA

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Gives an overview of the most effective and innovative techniques of STEM teaching and Curriculum Design

Provides inside accounts of the leading STEM university programs and centers for online education

Presents insides from leading innovators in active learning, scientific teaching and liberal arts engineering programs

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Table of contents (7 chapters)

Front matter, history of stem in the usa.

Bryan Edward Penprase

Active and Peer-Based Learning

Theories of teaching and learning, engineering education reconsidered, online education in stem, interdisciplinary science, the future of stem teaching and learning.

  • STEM teaching and learning
  • Learning theories STEM
  • Online learning higher education
  • Diversity in STEM
  • Science curriculum
  • Engineering education
  • STEM teacher education
  • Interdisciplinary science education
  • MOOC technology
  • Scientific Teaching
  • Backward Course Design
  • Threshold Concepts and Learning Taxonomies
  • learning and instruction

Professor Bryan E. Penprase  is the Dean of Faculty for the Undergraduate Program at Soka University of America, in Aliso Viejo, CA. He also has been an American Council on Education Fellow at Yale University, Visiting Associate at the California Institute of Technology, and formerly was a Professor of Science at Yale-NUS College, and the Frank P. Brackett Professor at Pomona College, in Claremont, CA. As Dean of Faculty, Bryan directs the undergraduate program at Soka University of America, where he works to advance the innovative undergraduate liberal arts curriuclum and is developing a new interdisciplinary concentration in Life Science.

Bryan received both a BS in Physics and an MS in Applied Physics from Stanford University in 1985, and a PhD from the University of Chicago in Astronomy and Astrophysics in 1992. Prof. Penprase conducts research on the most luminous sources of radiation in the universe: quasars, supernovae, gamma ray bursts, and merging neutron stars, in the context of his collaboration with astrophysicists at Caltech and worldwide on the "Zwicky Transient Facility" or ZTF. The research on such transients has discovered new types of supernovae, new gamma-ray bursts, and gravitational lensing sources. Bryan’s research includes nearly all aspects of observational astrophysics, from photometric observations of nearby asteroids to spectroscopic studies of element formation in the Early Universe, using telescopes such as the Hubble Space Telescope and the Keck Telescope in Hawaii.

Bryan is the author of “The Power of Stars – How Celestial Observations Have Shaped Civilization,” published by Springer, Inc., numerous book chapters on liberal arts education and STEM curriculum, and over 50 peer-reviewed articles, in the Astrophysical Journal, Astronomical Journal, and  in Nature and Science. Bryan has served on numerous NSF and NASA review panels, including the Hubble Space Telescope Time Allocation Committee and the NASA/Keck Time Allocation Committee, and has participated in the external review of the Five College Astronomy Program. His most recent research program is a collaboration with Caltech to develop the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) and a Global Relay of Observatories known as GROWTH for studying gamma ray bursts, new supernovae, and the electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational wave sources. 

Book Title : STEM Education for the 21st Century

Authors : Bryan Edward Penprase

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-41633-1

Publisher : Springer Cham

eBook Packages : Education , Education (R0)

Copyright Information : The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020

Hardcover ISBN : 978-3-030-41632-4 Published: 08 April 2020

eBook ISBN : 978-3-030-41633-1 Published: 07 April 2020

Edition Number : 1

Number of Pages : XVI, 133

Number of Illustrations : 1 b/w illustrations, 35 illustrations in colour

Topics : Learning & Instruction , Technology and Digital Education , Science Education , Mathematics Education , Higher Education

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Best STEM Books K–12

Discover titles that will captivate readers with this year’s list of best stem books.

NSTA is pleased to unveil the list of Best STEM Books: K-12. This list—selected by volunteer educators and assembled in cooperation with the Children’s Book Council—provides recommendations about the best trade books with science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) content available for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

2024 Winners

Best STEM Book

Submission Guidelines

Reading science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) trade books is the perfect way for students to develop literacy skills while learning STEM content. Building upon a strong legacy of several decades of recommending outstanding science trade books, the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) appointed a judging panel that has selected its second annual list of Best STEM Books. The list was chosen by volunteer educators, identified in cooperation with the Children's Book Council (CBC).

STEM is more than a concept diagram with connections among four (or more) subject areas. It's a unique way of knowing and exploring the world. The STEM approach involves the essence of the practices of science and engineering. Tools like mathematics, technology, and communication skills are interwoven in STEM explorations. That seamlessness is what challenges educators around the world. And nowhere is that more obvious than when teachers look to find literature to integrate into a STEM curriculum.

Through almost a year of study, the NSTA group came up with these criteria for selecting the best STEM literature for young readers:

  • Modeling real-world innovation
  • Embracing real-world design, invention, and innovation
  • Connecting with authentic experiences
  • Showing assimilation of new ideas
  • Illustrating teamwork, diverse skills, creativity, and cooperation
  • Inviting divergent thinking and doing
  • Integrating interdisciplinary and creative approaches
  • Exploring multiple solutions to problems
  • Addressing connections between STEM disciplines
  • Systems thinking
  • Optimization
  • Collaboration

The best STEM books might represent the practices of science and engineering by

  • Asking questions, solving problems, designing and redesigning
  • Integrating STEM disciplines
  • Showing the progressive changes that characterize invention and/or engineering
  • Demonstrating designing or redesigning, improving, building, or repairing a product or idea
  • Showing the process of working through trial and error
  • Progressively developing better engineering solutions
  • Analyzing efforts and making necessary modifications along the way
  • Communication
  • Ethical considerations

Past Winners

Outstanding science trade books for students k–12.

Representing the best science trade books published for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, the books featured on the list include captivating stories, compelling characters, and beautiful illustrations.

OSTB

books on stem education

Book series

Advances in STEM Education

About this book series.

Advances in STEM Education is a new book series with a focus on cutting-edge research and knowledge development in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education from pre-college through continuing education around the world. It is open to all topics in STEM education, both in and outside of classrooms, including innovative approaches and perspectives in promoting and improving STEM education, and the processes of STEM instruction and teacher education. This series values original contributions that view STEM education either in terms of traditionally defined subject-based education or as an educational undertaking involving inter-connected STEM fields. The series is open to new topics identified and proposed by researchers internationally, and also features volumes from invited contributors and editors. It works closely with the International Journal of STEM Education and Journal for STEM Education Research  to publish volumes on topics of interest identified from the journal publications that call for extensive and in-depth scholarly pursuit.

Researchers interested in submitting a book proposal should contact the Series Editor: Yeping Li ([email protected]) or the Publishing Editor: Melissa James ([email protected]) for further information.

Series editor               Yeping Li, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA

International Advisory Board

Spencer A. Benson, University of Macau, Macau, China Richard A. Duschl, Pennsylvania State University, USA   Dirk Ifenthaler, University of Mannheim, Germany           Kenneth Ruthven, University of Cambridge, UK          Karan L. Watson, Texas A&M University, USA

Book titles in this series

Disciplinary and interdisciplinary education in stem.

Changes and Innovations

  • Naiqing Song
  • Copyright: 2024

books on stem education

Developing Mathematical Proficiency for Elementary Instruction

  • Roger E. Howe
  • W. James Lewis
  • James J. Madden
  • Copyright: 2021

books on stem education

Integrated Approaches to STEM Education

An International Perspective

  • Judy Anderson
  • Copyright: 2020

books on stem education

Critical, Transdisciplinary and Embodied Approaches in STEM Education

  • Pratim Sengupta
  • Marie-Claire Shanahan
  • Beaumie Kim
  • Copyright: 2019

books on stem education

Pedagogical Content Knowledge in STEM

Research to Practice

  • Stephen Miles Uzzo
  • Sherryl Browne Graves
  • Marisa Harford
  • Copyright: 2018

books on stem education

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Best STEM Books List

Best STEM Books List

This list aims to provide recommendations to educators, librarians, parents, and guardians for the best children’s books with STEM content.

Best STEM Books is a joint project of the American Society for Engineering Education , the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association , the National Science Teachers Association , the Society of Elementary Presidential Awardees , and the Children’s Book Council since 2017. This list of books aims to provide recommendations to educators, librarians, parents, and guardians for the best children’s books with STEM content.

Reviewers appointed by NSTA, ITEEA, SEPA, and ASEE read and evaluate the submitted books. Their selections are published in a yearly list appearing in NSTA Reports and ITEEA’s Children’s Technology and Engineering magazine and are promoted through membership networks and at partner conferences.

WHAT IS STEM? STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) is an integrated and creative approach to discovering and applying knowledge about our world to solve problems that utilize one, or more of the content areas. Trade books that deliver background and model the practices of STEM provide context and inspiration to readers.

The selection committee will evaluate submissions based on its adherence to the following criteria:

  • Models innovation
  • Illustrates authentic problems
  • Assimilates new ideas
  • Invites divergent thinking
  • Explores multiple solutions
  • Integrates STEM disciplines
  • Shows progressive change or improvement
  • Content accuracy–appropriate to age and audience

books on stem education

Browse the Best STEM lists:

  • 2024 Best STEM Books on Website — searchable titles on our site with links to their publishers.
  • 2024 Best STEM Books PDF — downloadable file with book annotations designed by NSTA.
  • 2024 Best STEM Books Spreadsheet — an editable file that allows to sort or manipulate as needed.

PAST WINNING TITLES (Annotated Lists)

  • 2023 Best STEM Books
  • 2022 Best STEM Books
  • 2021 Best STEM Books
  • 2020 Best STEM Books
  • 2019 Best STEM Books
  • 2018 Best STEM Books
  • 2017 Best STEM Books

Publishers: Learn more about submitting titles to this list . 

More lists :  Outstanding Science Trade Books , Notable Social Studies Trade Books , FAVORITES Awards , Building a Home Library ,  Reading Beyond , and  More Curated Lists collaborations.

Children’s Choices List

Children’s Choices List

Notable Social Studies List

Notable Social Studies List

Outstanding Science List

Outstanding Science List

Young Adults’ Choices List

Young Adults’ Choices List

From Librarians

Harvard Education Press

18 Awesome STEM Books That Make Science and Technology Fun for Kids

By melissa taylor.

STEM subjects — science, technology, engineering, and math — are a crucial part of a child’s education both now and in the future. These STEM books are filled with great stories and cool project ideas that can help lay a foundation for any mixture of STEM disciplines. We hope the books recommended here spark excitement, teach something new, and make STEM accessible to your children.

STEM Books for Kids Ages 4 - 8

Math Curse

by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith

Everything is a math Problem with a capital “P” thanks to Mrs. Fibonacci the math teacher! It starts at 7:15 AM when a girl wakes up and remembers it takes 10 minutes to get dressed, 15 minutes to eat breakfast, and 1 minute to brush her teeth so ... 1) if her bus leaves at 8:00 AM, will she make it on time? 2) how many minutes in 1 hour and 3) how many teeth in 1 mouth? This hilarious, math-disaster of a day continues with more math than you can imagine … but will it ever end?

How Machines Work: Zoo Break!

How Machines Work: Zoo Break!

by David Macaulay

Pop-ups, lift-the-flaps, and levers encourage kids to get involved in this STEM adventure story about two animals, Sloth and Sengi, who try to escape the zoo using simple machines. While reading the story, you’ll also discover information on each machine — machines such as a teeter-totter, a pulley, scissors, and a bike.

Fairy Science

Fairy Science

by Ashley Spires

Fans of Ada Twist, Scientist will love this magical book! Esther is a fairy who does not believe in magic — she believes in science. When a forest tree stops growing, she uses the scientific method to discover why. Esther's curious nature is sure to inspire your own little sprites.

What's the Weather?

What's the Weather?

by Fraser Ralston and Judith Ralston

Never before has learning about the weather been so fun and informative! Written by a TV weather personality and her meteorologist husband, this easily accessible nonfiction book is jam-packed with information about the water cycle, clouds, storms, extreme weather, and so much more.

Once Upon a Star

Once Upon a Star

by James Carter and Mar Hernandez

James Carter takes readers way, way back to the origins of the universe in this poetic exploration of the Big Bang. How did the planets form? Where’s our place in space? Just what, exactly, makes up the solar system? Once Upon a Star answers these questions, and others we might not even think to ask!

The Simple Science Activity Book

The Simple Science Activity Book

by Jane Bull

With integrative STEAM books like The Simple Science Activity Book , young artists don’t have to choose between arts and crafts and science and technology. Rather, with unique activities that combine the creative and analytical — studying the states of matter while building an ice sculpture, for instance — budding artists will discover their science and engineering sides, too!

Tomie dePaola’s The Quicksand Book

Tomie dePaola’s The Quicksand Book

by Tomie dePaola

Tomie dePaola mixes his trademark humor and chuckle-inducing illustrations with the fascinating science of quicksand. While Jungle Girl sinks further into a pit of quicksand, Jungle Boy offers super helpful insights about how quicksand works, complete with charts and graphs. Will he stop yapping in time to help Jungle Girl out?

Count on Me

Count on Me

by Miguel Tanco

There are so many beautiful ways to see the world. For the bright young girl at the center of this book, that way of seeing is through math. As she pauses to appreciate things like the curve of a slide or the many shapes her cat can make, readers sense the inherent (and underappreciated) vibrancy of the math all around us.

Ask a Scientist

Ask a Scientist

by Robert Winston

World-renowned scientist Robert Winston (who you may recognize from his wacky experiments on The Late Late Show with James Corden) answers 100 quirky yet vital science questions from real-life kids. Do dogs cry? Could you jump off the world? Winston responds to these inquiries with logical aplomb.

STEM Books for Ages 8 - 12

Kate the Chemist Series

Kate the Chemist Series

by Kate Biberdorf

Dr. Kate Biberdorf is a chemist professor who travels the country introducing kids to the exciting world of STEM. In her new middle grade series, 10-year-old Kate invites readers to help her solve science problems in her community. Future scientists might enjoy trying some experiments at home with Kate the Chemist: The Big Book of Experiments .

How We Got to Now

How We Got to Now

by Steven Johnson

Steven Johnson’s bestselling book about the incredible history of innovation is now available for middle grade readers! We all tend to walk through life without appreciating the genius that made those lives possible — clean drinking water and electricity, for starters — but Johnson revels in those miraculous discoveries and explains how they set even more ideas into motion.

Nick and Tesla Series

Nick and Tesla Series

by Steve Hockensmith and Bob Pflugfelder

Nick and Tesla, 11-year old twins, are budding inventors and detectives who live with their inattentive scientist uncle Newt. Each story is an action-packed mystery to solve using science and technology. Directions for some of the projects are included so readers can try them at home.

How Super Cool Tech Works

How Super Cool Tech Works

Just like the title says, this super cool book showcases and explains what's behind the latest technological inventions. Not only will they learn about today’s tech such as drones, supercomputers, and flying cars, but young tech enthusiasts will also discover future possibilities such as teleportation and artificial intelligence.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (Young Reader’s Edition)

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (Young Reader’s Edition)

by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, illustrated by Anna Hymas

An inspiring true story of necessity and invention! Due to a drought, William’s African village has no water, no crops, and no income source. He researches solutions in the library and decides to build a windmill which successfully pumps water to the fields and generates electricity for his family.

Maker Lab: 28 Super Cool Projects: Build * Invent * Create * Discover

Maker Lab: 28 Super Cool Projects: Build * Invent * Create * Discover

by Jack Challoner

Beautiful design and photographs showcase 28 kid-friendly, easy-to-follow experiments and activities. Only household materials are required, there are three levels of difficulty, and kids will learn the real world science behind each project.

Strange But True!

Strange But True!

It’s practically impossible to resist reading this book about the most crazy, extreme, and unusual animals, places, and occurrences in our world. Paired with gorgeous photographs, you’ll read about zombie snails, fairy chimneys, killer plants, a crater of fire called the “Door to Hell”, and much more.

Calling All Minds

Calling All Minds

by Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin, a world-famous scientist, inventor, and autism spokesperson, invites young innovators to indulge their curiosities about the seemingly innocuous. She uncovers the science behind everyday inventions, relays the history of great innovators, and encourages readers to reimagine how they approach and conceive of the world.

Girls Who Code Series

Girls Who Code Series

by Stacia Deutsch

In this modern, tech-centric series reminiscent of The Babysitters Club , Sophia and her fellow coders create apps, compete in hackathons, and — more than anything — learn about friendship, teamwork, and supporting one another through thick and thin. Published in partnership with the Girls Who Code nonprofit, it’s sure to entertain and inspire.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2023.

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STEM Education Guide

The Best STEM Books for Teens to Inspire and Educate

Krystal DeVille

July 16, 2023

The Best STEM Books for Teens to Inspire and Educate

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education has become more critical than ever in today’s rapidly evolving world. For teens, in particular, STEM books can open up new worlds and inspire them to pursue careers in these fields. But with so many options out there, which ones are the best? This article explores the top 10 STEM books for teens.

If you’re looking for engaging and educational STEM activities suitable for children or teens, I’ve got just the thing for you! I’ve collaborated with my kids to create a comprehensive eBook filled with exciting STEM activities, and the best part? It’s absolutely free!

Free STEM eBook

Table of Contents

Why STEM Books are Important for Teens

Right now, we are witnessing unprecedented advancement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). These fields drive our future, shaping everything from how we live, communicate, and work to how we solve our most pressing global challenges.

As such, it’s crucial for teens, the leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers of tomorrow, to be well-versed in these areas. STEM books play a pivotal role in this regard. They provide knowledge and inspire interest and passion in these subjects.

STEM books can expose teens to new ideas, innovations, and possibilities, helping them to envision a future where they can be the creators of new technologies or the discoverers of scientific breakthroughs. They can help teens see the relevance and applicability of what they learn in their math and science classes, making these subjects more engaging and less intimidating.

Best STEM Books for Teens

Cinder by marissa meyer.

Cinder

This novel is a unique blend of classic fairy tale and futuristic science fiction. Cinder, a cyborg with a mysterious past, lives with her cruel stepmother and two stepsisters in the bustling city of New Beijing. Despite the prejudice and discrimination she faces due to her cyborg status, Cinder is an exceptional mechanic, a skill that becomes crucial as the plot unfolds.

When her life becomes intertwined with that of Prince Kai, she finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle. As Cinder uncovers secrets about her past, she must decide who she truly is and where her loyalties lie. The book explores themes of identity, prejudice, and the intersection of technology and humanity.

You can see the current price of Cinder here.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Code Name Verity

Set in the harrowing times of World War II, this novel tells the story of two young women, Maddie and Queenie, who form an unlikely friendship. Maddie is a civilian pilot, and Queenie is a spy, both working for the British military.

When Queenie is captured by the Nazis in occupied France, the story unfolds through her written confession, where she narrates her friendship with Maddie and their adventures together. The book is a tribute to the often overlooked contributions of women in war, particularly in fields like engineering and aviation, and a poignant exploration of friendship, courage, and resilience.

This book is available in hardcover and other formats here.

Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris

Bad Taste in Boys book

Kate Grable is a high school student with aspirations to become a doctor. She volunteers as a medical advisor for her school’s football team, but her life takes a turn for the bizarre when the players start exhibiting zombie-like symptoms.

With her medical knowledge and scientific reasoning, Kate must figure out what’s causing the outbreak and find a cure before it’s too late.

The book is a fun and thrilling mix of science, horror, and high school drama, showcasing the importance of scientific knowledge and critical thinking in solving problems.

Bad Taste in Boys is available in Kindle and other formats here.

3:59 by Gretchen McNeil

3:59 book

Josie Byrne’s life is far from perfect. Her parents are divorcing, she’s losing touch with her boyfriend, and she’s struggling with her physics class.

But when she goes to sleep, she dreams of a parallel universe where everything is better. When she discovers that this parallel universe is real and that her doppelgänger, Jo, lives there, Josie must use her scientific knowledge to understand the phenomenon and make a life-altering decision.

The book delves into the concept of parallel universes, a topic in theoretical physics, and explores themes of identity, choices, and the consequences of our decisions.

You can see all the formats and current prices here.

Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson

Catalyst book

Kate Malone is a high school senior who lives her life by the scientific method: formulate a hypothesis, conduct an experiment, and evaluate the results. She’s a straight-A student and a long-distance runner, and she’s got her heart set on attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

But when her college application process doesn’t go as planned, Kate’s carefully controlled world is thrown into chaos. As she navigates a series of unexpected events and personal challenges, Kate learns that life, much like science, is full of unpredictability and change.

What makes this book great is that it explores themes of resilience, personal growth, and the parallels between life and scientific principles.

You can check availably for this book here.

Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Counting by 7s book

Willow Chance is a twelve-year-old genius who is obsessed with nature and diagnosing medical conditions. She finds it comforting to count by 7s, and her world is orderly and predictable. But when her adoptive parents die in a car crash, her world is turned upside down.

With the help of an unlikely group of friends, Willow navigates her way through this tragedy, using her unique perspective and love for nature and medicine to heal and find her place in the world.

The book is a moving exploration of grief, resilience, and the power of the human spirit.

The Evolution of Calpurnia Virginia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate book

Set in Texas in 1899, the book follows the story of eleven-year-old Calpurnia Virginia Tate, or Callie Vee. Callie Vee is more interested in exploring the natural world and studying science than in conforming to the traditional gender roles of her time.

With the help of her grandfather, an avid naturalist, she navigates her way through societal expectations and embarks on a journey of scientific discovery.

The book offers a glimpse into the world of biology and natural science, and it explores themes of gender roles, societal expectations, and the pursuit of knowledge.

You can find The Evolution of Calpurnia Virginia Tate here.

Alice Jones: The Impossible Clue by Sarah Rubin

The Impossible Clue book

I know this book is for early teens and kids, but it’s still a great read for anyone.

Alice Jones is a middle school student with a knack for math and a reputation for solving mysteries. When a famous scientist goes missing, and the only clue is a riddle about time, Alice uses her mathematical skills and logical reasoning to crack the case.

The book is a thrilling mystery that showcases the practical application of mathematics and logical problem-solving, and it explores themes of friendship, family, and the pursuit of truth.

Headstrong: 52 Women Who Changed Science – and the World by Rachel Swaby

Headstrong: 52 Women Who Changed Science-and the World book

This book is a collection of short, enlightening biographies of 52 women who have contributed significantly to various STEM fields.

From pioneers like Marie Curie and Rosalind Franklin to lesser-known but equally important figures like Barbara McClintock and Gertrude Elion, the book highlights the groundbreaking work of these women and the challenges they overcame in their respective fields.

Each profile provides an overview of the woman’s life, her key contributions, and the impact of her work. The book not only provides a historical perspective on women in STEM but also serves as an inspiration for young readers, particularly girls, who are interested in these fields.

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

This Newbery Medal-winning book tells the story of Luna, a girl who is accidentally fed moonlight by a witch and gains magical abilities. As Luna grows up, she must learn to control her magic and uncover the truth about her past. While primarily a fantasy story, the book also explores themes of knowledge, learning, and understanding.

Luna’s journey to control her magic can be seen as a metaphor for the scientific process: she must observe, experiment, and learn from her mistakes. The book also emphasizes the importance of questioning and seeking truth, much like in the STEM fields.

The story is a celebration of the power of knowledge and the importance of pursuing understanding, whether in magic or in STEM.

In search of more STEM-related reads? Don’t miss our meticulously curated article, ‘ Best STEM Books for Middle School : Hands-on Reviews.’ Dive into our handpicked selection and discover a treasure trove of top-notch STEM books perfect for middle schoolers.

Best STEM Books for Middle School Hands-on Reviews

Benefits of Teens Reading STEM Books

STEM books offer numerous benefits beyond just imparting knowledge. Here are some of them:

Develop Problem-Solving Skills

STEM books often present problems or challenges and then guide the reader through the process of finding a solution. This can help teens develop problem-solving skills, teaching them how to approach a problem.

Encourage Critical Thinking

Many STEM books require readers to think critically, question what they know, and form their own understanding of concepts. This can foster a mindset of inquiry and skepticism that is essential in the scientific world.

Stimulate Curiosity and Imagination

STEM books can stimulate teens’ curiosity about the world around them. They can inspire questions, provoke thought, and ignite a desire to learn more. Furthermore, many STEM concepts require a good deal of imagination to fully grasp (think of envisioning an atom or imagining the vastness of the universe).

Reading about these concepts can help teens develop this ability to think abstractly and imagine possibilities.

Make Learning Fun for Teens

STEM books can present complex concepts in a fun and engaging way. They can use stories, characters, and real-world examples to bring these concepts to life, making learning a joy rather than a chore. This can help teens develop a positive attitude towards these subjects and motivate them to learn more.

Prepare for Future Careers

With the increasing demand for STEM skills in many career fields, reading STEM books can help teens prepare for their future careers. They can gain a basic understanding of key concepts, learn about different STEM careers, and perhaps even discover a passion for a particular field.

How to Choose the Right STEM Book for Your Teen

books on stem education

Choosing the right STEM book for your teen can indeed be a challenging task, given the vast array of options available. However, with a thoughtful approach, you can select a book that not only educates but also engages and inspires your teen.

Consider Their Interests

The first step in choosing STEM books for teens is to consider your teen’s interests. Do they love space and the stars? Are they fascinated by the inner workings of the human body? Do they love solving puzzles and mathematical problems?

Or are they interested in how things work and love building and creating things? Identifying their interests can help you choose a book that they will find engaging and enjoyable.

Assess the Difficulty Level

It’s also important to consider the difficulty level of the book. You want to challenge your teen, but not to the point where they feel overwhelmed and lose interest. Look for books that are age-appropriate and match your teen’s reading level and comprehension. If a book is too easy, they might get bored; if it’s too hard, they might get frustrated.

Identify the Skills They Hope to Gain

What skills does your teen hope to gain from reading the book? Are they looking to improve their problem-solving skills? Do they want to learn more about a specific scientific concept? Or are they hoping to explore potential career paths in STEM? Identifying these goals can help you choose a book that meets their needs.

Look for Engaging Content

STEM books that present information in an engaging and interactive way can make learning more enjoyable. Look for books with real-world examples, hands-on activities, and engaging illustrations or diagrams.

Books that tell a story or present information in a narrative or conversational style can also be more engaging.

Read Reviews and Recommendations for Teens

Reviews and recommendations can provide valuable insights into a book’s content, writing style, and appropriateness for certain age groups. Look for reviews from reputable sources, and consider recommendations from teachers, librarians, or other parents.

Remember, the goal is to inspire a love of learning and a passion for STEM. So, choose a book that your teen will enjoy and that will fuel their curiosity and desire to learn.

FAQs – Best STEM Books for Teens

What are stem books.

STEM books are books that focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics topics.

Why Are STEM Books Important for Teens?

STEM books can help teens develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, stimulate curiosity, and inspire a love for these fields.

How Do I Choose the Right STEM Book for My Teen?

Consider your teen’s interests, the difficulty level of the book, and the skills they hope to gain.

Can STEM Books Help With Schoolwork?

Yes, STEM books can complement school learning and help teens understand complex concepts in a fun and engaging way.

Wrapping Up STEM Books for Teens

STEM books are a fantastic way for teens to explore complex topics, develop new skills, and ignite a passion for learning. By choosing the right book, you can help your teen discover a love for STEM that could shape their future career.

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How to Refresh a Dwindling Pipeline of STEM Teachers? Researchers Share Strategies

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The number of new teachers completing science education certification programs fell by nearly half from 2011 to 2021, even as states continue to push students to take more science, technology, engineering, and math courses.

Experts at a National Academies of Science meeting last week highlighted the need to increase the flow and preparation of new K-12 STEM teachers.

In a longitudinal analysis of federal teacher data, Richard Ingersoll, an education professor at the University of Pennsylvania, found that the number of new science classes and staff positions is vastly outpacing the number of teachers being prepared for them. In the last 30 years, the “average” STEM teacher has moved from a 15-year veteran to a novice, with double the number of new teachers now as there were in the 1980s. That “greening” of science teachers comes both from ongoing retirements of veteran teachers and states’ rapid expansion of science and math course offerings, increasing the number of positions to fill.

“We have a severe problem with people assigned to teach things who don’t necessarily have very much background in the field,” Ingersoll said.

‘A worrisome development’

Michael Marder, a physics professor at the University of Texas-Austin, agreed. Since 2022, in Marder’s home state of Texas, the number of science teachers who are entering classrooms with no science certification—including traditional college-based or alternate preparation—now make up the largest share of the teaching workforce. Uncertified science teachers for the first time outnumbered the combined total of all teachers who have completed science teaching programs from state colleges and universities. Uncertified science teachers also outnumber the science teachers trained via the state’s extensive alternative certification programs, according to an analysis by UT’s Educational Research Center.

“This is a very worrisome development,” he said. “The whole process of certifying teachers seems to be crumbling under the weight of a vacancy crisis.”

Staffing classrooms with a combination of younger and less-prepared science teachers can exacerbate a cycle of teachers entering and quickly leaving the profession, the researchers said. While about a third of all new teachers leave in their first five years, novice STEM teachers have an even lower retention rate, Ingersoll said, with as many as half leaving the profession within their first five years.

“It’s something of a revolving door” for school districts, Ingersoll said.

Teacher recruiting issues also are likely to worsen opportunity gaps for historically disadvantaged students. Federal civil rights data show nearly 1 in 3 Black and Hispanic students attend a high school that does not offer computer science compared with 1 in 4 white students.

The researchers called for better preservice training and recruitment of science majors into teaching, as well as a better transition for new STEM teachers entering the classroom.

“If we want [students] to be scientists, they have to be engaged in science, right? If we want them to be mathematicians, they have to be doing mathematics, not hearing about it,” said Megan Franke, an education professor at the University of California, Los Angeles. “These same things are true for teachers. … If we’re going to work on teacher education, we have to find ways that teachers, pre-service teachers, are having opportunities to learn in and with communities.”

For example, Marder co-founded UTeach , a secondary science teacher preparation program now used at 43 universities, with a statewide initiative set to launch in Alabama. The program creates partnerships between colleges of science and education, as well as with school districts. These partnerships actively recruit science and engineering and mathematics majors into STEM-specific degree programs and student teaching opportunities.

Randomized controlled evaluations of UTeach have found that new science teachers who completed the program were more likely to continue teaching than their peers who did not participate in the program. Moreover, UTeach educators’ students had higher academic outcomes than students of other new teachers. The benefits were about on par with academic gains seen for students of Teach for America participants.

Choose mentors and coaches carefully and support them

Several educators noted the expansion of local teacher residencies and district partnerships with higher education teaching programs to boost the number of home-grown science teachers.

However, Laura Booker, the executive director of the Tennessee Education Research Alliance at Vanderbilt University, said schools often do not put enough planning into which veteran teachers work with the program. Tennessee’s Mentors Matter program developed resources to help districts choose mentors that were most effective in improving teachers’ instructional practice.

“Rather than just asking people to raise their hands and volunteer to have a student teacher, districts and schools and educator preparation programs were being more thoughtful and strategic about who was being selected to serve as mentors,” she said. A randomized controlled evaluation of the program found districts that used the more thoughtfully prepared lists chose on average more “instructionally effective” mentors and their pre-service teachers reported feeling better prepared than those in districts that did not participate.

Tennessee districts, like many nationwide, have hired a slew of subject-specific instructional coaches in recent years to support new teachers. But most of these coaches receive only the same standard professional development given to teachers: “They weren’t really getting professional development on how to be a coach,” Booker said.

To bolster the coaches’ preparation, the Tennessee alliance recruited an array of teachers with varying levels of experience and content specialties to develop a statewide coaching-the-coaches program. Beginning with math coaches, members recorded their own training sessions with teachers and analyzed them with colleagues to develop clearer protocols to support teachers.

In a study of that effort, Booker said, “we found that coaches had deeper and more specific conversations with teachers in the coaching network, and engaged in more conversations around depth and specificity of the math learning goals and that they improved in their quality of feedback and conversations.”

The researchers also found that students of teachers who had been coached by someone in the network had higher academic achievement in math than students of teachers who had not received such coaching.

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Introduction

This guide is designed to give an overview on the publishing and presenting of research in STEM, with graduate students and faculty in mind.  To the left, you'll see pages for specific publication categories. Examine these for specifics targeting those formats. This page will give some general tools and resources.

If you know a specific journal, book publisher, conference, etc. where you wish to submit, they will list specific requirements, such as format, and citation style. It is ideal to do this early so you can follow these elements as you write. Visit their web site for details.

If you have questions, please contact me.

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Using Ebooks on O'Reilly Platform

Software Help

Do you need help with software or programming languages? Use the O'Reilly database to find ebooks, videos, and tutorials. Items on this database are accessed a bit differently than our other sources, see  Using items on O'Reilly platform .

DOs and DON'Ts of getting published

The following advice may be helpful as you work towards getting your research published:

DO thoroughly examine your manuscript for errors, correct citations, etc., but  DON'T  get yourself stuck in a constant revision loop.

DO ask colleagues (if a grad student, especially ask your advisor/supervisor) for suggestions of where to submit a manuscript, but  DON'T  respond to unsolicited emails requesting you submit without thoroughly evaluating the publication venue (many of these emails are predatory journals).

DO have at least one colleague give feedback, but  DON'T have unrealistic expectations for how quickly they can do so.  

DO ask questions of the editor or publisher, but  DON'T ask without thoroughly examining the journal's website.  

DO use citation software to help format citations, but DON'T use what it outputs without checking it against each item (the item itself, not the database you found it in).

DO consider how some works can be adapted for a new publication venue (for example, reworking content from a dissertation into a journal article), but DON'T  use the exact (or close to the) same content - most publications do not allow this and it may be considered self-plagiarism. 

DO consider different options for publication, but DON'T submit to more than one place at a time. Most publications prohibit th is.

DO consider coauthoring a publication, but  DON'T  forget to come to a common understanding and plan about roles, responsibilities, timeline, logistics, and division off work before beginning.

DO  consider feedback if asked to make revisions, but  DON'T hesitate to respond to or question feedback that you feel incorrect or out of scope for your manuscript. 

DO  seek help if the journal is in a language that you are not fluent in (some publishers have services for this), but  DON'T  pay a lot for this without seeing if a colleague can help with language concerns.

DO try another venue if your manuscript or proposal is not accepted, but  DON'T let a rejection get you down.

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Two College of Education Alumni Win NARST Outstanding Doctoral Research Award

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Two recent graduates from the NC State College of Education’s Ph.D. in Learning and Teaching in STEM science education concentration have received the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) Outstanding Doctoral Research Award. 

Grace Carroll ’23PHD and Ren Rende ’22PHD both received the award, which is given to doctoral dissertations judged to have the greatest significance in the field of science education. 

The wins marks the first time three students from the same university have won the Outstanding Doctoral Research Award in consecutive years, as Gary Wright ’22PHD received the 2023 award. 

On Grace Carroll’s Research 

Carroll’s award-winning dissertation consisted of two separated but interrelated studies. The first study was a literature review that explored the characteristics of effective, meaningful and equitable science instruction through modeling and highlighted the work needed to support science teachers as they adopt more student-centered approaches. The second study used a mixed-methods approach to investigate the epistemological beliefs that influence teachers’ implementation of model-based instruction. 

Results showed teachers are more likely to enact their beliefs when they support students’ modeling, but contextual factors can inhibit a teacher’s ability to integrate their pedagogical content knowledge into lessons and reduce the extent to which they might adopt and implement approaches like model-based teaching. 

“Model-based science teaching is near to my heart. As a previous high school science teacher of eight years, I participated in an extensive professional development where I learned how to incorporate model-based teaching into my own classroom. It was the most transformative professional development I had ever experienced and reinvigorated my love for teaching science at a time when I felt stagnant,” Carroll said. 

Carroll, now a postdoctoral scholar in the College of Education, said she knew from the moment she entered her Ph.D. program that she wanted her dissertation to focus on model-based teaching, but was unsure how to accomplish her goal. She found her path, however, when she had the opportunity to work as a graduate research assistant on a grant led by Professor Soonhye Park that focused on rural teachers adopting and implementing the same model-based teaching approach Carroll herself learned as a teacher. 

“Receiving the Outstanding Doctoral Research Award is humbling and validating for me. First, I believe it is a testament to the support and guidance I received from my advisor, Dr. Soonhye Park, whom I could not have conceptualized the dissertation study without, as well as my family,” Carroll said. “Achieving this award symbolizes a meaningful contribution to the advancement of knowledge in science teaching and learning, and I see this accolade as an opportunity to leverage my platform to make a positive impact in science education.” 

On Ren Rende’s Research 

Rende’s award-winning dissertation explored the pedagogical practices of transgender science teachers with the goal of learning from their experiences to create a gender-inclusive curriculum. 

The study resulted in the Trans and Research-Informed Approaches for Nonbinary and Gender-Inclusive Science Education (TRANS) Framework, which provides strategic guidance for conceptualizing new curriculum and pedagogy and can be used to guide science educators in making their classrooms more gender-inclusive. 

“This project was significantly important to me as a transgender science educator and researcher. I believe that trans teachers are vital in the advancement of effective gender-inclusive science education and that the TRANS framework signifies a major shift in gender-inclusive educational models,” Rende said. “ Receiving this award means a lot to me personally, but even more so that it represents a hopeful shift towards a more LGBTQ, and specifically trans-affirming, science education movement.” 

Rende, who is now an Assistant Professor of STEM Education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, recently published an article based on their dissertation, entitled “ A (TRANS)formative approach to gender-inclusive science education ” in the Journal of Science Teaching. 

They said their time in the NC State College of Education has not only prepared them to advance their research agenda, but to excel in the field. 

“I believe that NC State’s Learning and Teaching STEM program provided me with the opportunities, instruction and support I needed to excel in this field, particularly as an education researcher,” Rende said.

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