Building Lighthouses

Lighthouses have helped people navigate for centuries. But lighthouses are not built like they used to be. Learn how innovations like computers and solar power have improved lighthouse technology. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this title builds students' literacy skills while fostering curiosity, creativity, and innovation. A hands-on STEAM challenge guides students through each step of the engineering design process and is ideal for makerspace activities. Features include:

• Real-world examples provide insight into how the engineering design process is used to solve real-world problems
• Content that highlights every component of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics
• Dynamic images and text features enhance the reading experience and build visual literacy

Making Water Safe

Everyone needs clean water to live. But not everyone has access to clean water. Learn how people around the world are working to find a solution to the clean water problem! Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this title builds students' literacy skills while fostering curiosity, creativity, and innovation. A hands-on STEAM challenge guides students through each step of the engineering design process and is ideal for makerspace activities. Features include:

• Real-world examples provide insight into how the engineering design process is used to solve real-world problems
• Content that highlights every component of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics
• Dynamic images and text features enhance the reading experience and build visual literacy

Solving Problems at the Zoo

At Smithsonian's National Zoo, keeping the zoo animals happy and healthy is a big job. Learn about the unique problems the zookeepers face and their creative solutions to caring for zoo animals. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this title builds students' literacy skills while fostering curiosity, creativity, and innovation. A hands-on STEAM challenge guides students through each step of the engineering design process and is ideal for makerspace activities. Features include:

• Real-world examples provide insight into how the engineering design process is used to solve real-world problems
• Content that highlights every component of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics
• Dynamic images and text features enhance the reading experience and build visual literacy

Powered by the Sun

Learn how scientists channel energy from the sun to power awesome innovations! Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this title builds students' literacy skills while fostering curiosity, creativity, and innovation. A hands-on STEAM challenge guides students through each step of the engineering design process and is ideal for makerspace activities. Features include:

• Real-world examples provide insight into how the engineering design process is used to solve real-world problems
• Content that highlights every component of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics
• Dynamic images and text features enhance the reading experience and build visual literacy

Studying Snowflakes

Snowflakes are one of nature's most fascinating wonders. Learn how snowflakes form with this fun STEAM reader for first grade students. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this title builds students' literacy skills while fostering curiosity, creativity, and innovation. A hands-on STEAM challenge guides students through each step of the engineering design process and is ideal for makerspace activities. Features include:

• Real-world examples provide insight into how the engineering design process is used to solve real-world problems
• Content that highlights every component of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics
• Dynamic images and text features enhance the reading experience and build visual literacy

Seeing More Stars

On a clear night, you should be able to see the stars. But we cannot always see them. Light pollution prevents us from seeing the stars and causes other problems as well. Learn about light pollution with this title that builds students' literacy skills while fostering curiosity, creativity, and innovation. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this book features a hands-on STEAM challenge that guides students through each step of the engineering design process and is ideal for makerspace activities. Features include:

• Real-world examples provide insight into how the engineering design process is used to solve real-world problems
• Content that highlights every component of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics
• Dynamic images and text features enhance the reading experience and build visual literacy

Hatching a Chick

There are many bird species that are endangered and need our help. Bird keepers decide which species they can help the most. Spend a day in the life of a bird keeper and learn how they are hatching" new plans to help birds grow, survive, and thrive. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this STEAM book builds students' literacy skills while fostering curiosity, creativity, and innovation through real-world examples. Features include:

• A hands-on STEAM challenge guides students through each step of the engineering design process and is ideal for makerspace activities
• Content that highlights every component of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics
• Dynamic images and text features enhance the reading experience and build visual literacy
• Make career connections with career advice from Smithsonian employees working in STEAM fields

Bones on Display

The National Museum of Natural History has been displaying fossils for over 100 years. Learn about the challenges that museums face when designing fossil exhibits. You'll also learn how studying fossils helps scientists learn about prehistoric species and their habitats.

Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this STEAM book builds students' literacy skills while fostering curiosity, creativity, and innovation through real-world examples. Features include:

• A hands-on STEAM challenge guides students through each step of the engineering design process and is ideal for makerspace activities
• Content that highlights every component of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics
• Dynamic images and text features enhance the reading experience and build visual literacy
• Make career connections with career advice from Smithsonian employees working in STEAM fields

Creating a Habitat

At Smithsonian's National Zoo, keeping the zoo animals happy and healthy is a big job. Part of this involves creating enclosures and habitats that make the animals feel at home. Learn how zookeepers designed a habitat for the black-footed ferret, a species once thought to be extinct.

Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this STEAM book builds students' literacy skills while fostering curiosity, creativity, and innovation through real-world examples. Features include:

• A hands-on STEAM challenge guides students through each step of the engineering design process and is ideal for makerspace activities
• Content that highlights every component of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics
• Dynamic images and text features enhance the reading experience and build visual literacy
• Make career connections with career advice from Smithsonian employees working in STEAM fields

Piecing Art Together

Found art is a type of art that involves creating pieces from found objects that are not usually considered to be artistic. From dryer lint to plastic found in the ocean, learn how ordinary objects can be made into beautiful art! Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this STEAM book builds students' literacy skills while fostering curiosity, creativity, and innovation through real-world examples. Features include:

• A hands-on STEAM challenge guides students through each step of the engineering design process and is ideal for makerspace activities
• Content that highlights every component of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics
• Dynamic images and text features enhance the reading experience and build visual literacy
• Make career connections with career advice from Smithsonian employees working in STEAM fields

Making Maps

Most people use maps every day. But imagine a time when a map of a place didn't exist. Without a map, how would you get there? How would you get around? Navigate through history as you learn the art, science, history, and importance of making maps.

Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this STEAM book builds students' literacy skills while fostering curiosity, creativity, and innovation through real-world examples. Features include:

• A hands-on STEAM challenge guides students through each step of the engineering design process and is ideal for makerspace activities
• Content that highlights every component of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics
• Dynamic images and text features enhance the reading experience and build visual literacy
• Make career connections with career advice from Smithsonian employees working in STEAM fields

Living in Sunlight Extremes

Everyone lives with day and night. But in some places, the days go on and on--and so do the nights! How do people live where the sun never seems to rise or set? Learn what life is like in the land of the midnight sun" with this informative STEAM reader!

Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this STEAM book builds students' literacy skills while fostering curiosity, creativity, and innovation through real-world examples. Features include:

• A hands-on STEAM challenge guides students through each step of the engineering design process and is ideal for makerspace activities
• Content that highlights every component of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics
• Dynamic images and text features enhance the reading experience and build visual literacy
• Make career connections with career advice from Smithsonian employees working in STEAM fields

The Science of Gems

Learn how minerals form in rocks and how minerals become gems with this informative STEAM reader! Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this STEAM book builds students' literacy skills while fostering curiosity, creativity, and innovation through real-world examples. Features include:

• A hands-on STEAM challengeguides students through each step of the engineering design process and is ideal for makerspace activities
• Content that highlights every component of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics
• Dynamic images and text features enhance the reading experience and build visual literacy
• Make career connections with career advice from Smithsonian employees working in STEAM fields

Creative Machines

A marble rolls down a tube. It hits a doll, which knocks over some dominoes. Anything can happen in a Rube Goldberg Machine! These machines take simple tasks and make them complex and fun. Do you have what it takes to make one?

Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this STEAM book builds students' literacy skills while fostering curiosity, creativity, and innovation through real-world examples. Features include:

• A hands-on STEAM challenge guides students through each step of the engineering design process and is ideal for makerspace activities
• Content that highlights every component of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics
• Dynamic images and text features enhance the reading experience and build visual literacy
• Make career connections with career advice from Smithsonian employees working in STEAM fields

Growing Plants in Space

What if people could grow plants in space? Would people be able to live on other planets? Scientists say yes! All plants need to grow is light, water, soil, air, and science. Learn about farming in outer space with this high-interest title.

Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this STEAM book builds students' literacy skills while fostering curiosity, creativity, and innovation through real-world examples. Features include:

• A hands-on STEAM challenge guides students through each step of the engineering design process and is ideal for makerspace activities
• Content that highlights every component of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics
• Dynamic images and text features enhance the reading experience and build visual literacy
• Make career connections with career advice from Smithsonian employees working in STEAM fields

Safe Cycling

Riding bikes can be a lot of fun, but it is even more fun when it is safe. Read about how people have made cycling safe over the years. There is a lot to learn about this two-wheeled pastime! Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this STEAM book builds students' literacy skills while fostering curiosity, creativity, and innovation through real-world examples. Features include:

• A hands-on STEAM challenge guides students through each step of the engineering design process and is ideal for makerspace activities
• Content that highlights every component of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics
• Dynamic images and text features enhance the reading experience and build visual literacy
• Make career connections with career advice from Smithsonian employees working in STEAM fields

Staying Dry

Scientists are learning how to keep people dry in wet weather. They look to plants and animals for answers. They have learned that when it comes to staying dry, nature knows best!

Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this STEAM book builds students' literacy skills while fostering curiosity, creativity, and innovation through real-world examples. Features include:

• A hands-on STEAM challenge guides students through each step of the engineering design process and is ideal for makerspace activities
• Content that highlights every component of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics
• Dynamic images and text features enhance the reading experience and build visual literacy
• Make career connections with career advice from Smithsonian employees working in STEAM fields

Dealing with Wildfires

How do wildfires start and what can people do to stay safe from them? 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 builds students' literacy skills while fostering curiosity, creativity, and innovation through real-world examples. Features include:

• A hands-on STEAM challenge guides students through each step of the engineering design process and is ideal for makerspace activities
• Content that highlights every component of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics
• Dynamic images and text features enhance the reading experience and build visual literacy
• Make career connections with career advice from Smithsonian employees working in STEAM fields

Protecting a Sinking City

Imagine a city of islands. There are no cars or streets and people ride boats to get around. This place is Venice, Italy. Built on a lagoon, Venice is in trouble. The city is sinking, and engineers are racing to save it. Learn about their efforts to save Venice from the sea.

Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this STEAM book builds students' literacy skills while fostering curiosity, creativity, and innovation through real-world examples. Features include:

• A hands-on STEAM challenge guides students through each step of the engineering design process and is ideal for makerspace activities
• Content that highlights every component of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics
• Dynamic images and text features enhance the reading experience and build visual literacy
• Make career connections with career advice from Smithsonian employees working in STEAM fields

Mimicking Nature

Have you ever wondered where inventors get some of their ideas? This answer may surprise you: sometimes the inspiration comes from plants! Learn how some tiny plants have made a huge difference in the world.

Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this STEAM book builds students' literacy skills while fostering curiosity, creativity, and innovation through real-world examples. Features include:

• A hands-on STEAM challenge guides students through each step of the engineering design process and is ideal for makerspace activities
• Content that highlights every component of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics
• Dynamic images and text features enhance the reading experience and build visual literacy
• Make career connections with career advice from Smithsonian employees working in STEAM fields

Saving a Species

People at Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute are working hard to save animal species from extinction. Meet five animals they have saved and learn about the people on a mission to save them.

Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this book builds students' literacy skills while fostering curiosity, creativity, and innovation. The hands-on STEAM challenge is ideal for makerspace activities, and guides students through every stage of the engineering design process. This book features:

• Real-world examples provide insight into how the engineering design process is used to solve real-world problems
• Content that highlights every component of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math
• Career advice from Smithsonian employees working in STEAM fields
• Dynamic images and text features enhance the reading experience and build visual literacy