The STEM Tales project is a partnership between Twin Cities Public Television, T2 Science and Math Education, American University’s School of Education, and the Space Science Institute to investigate the effect of media read-alouds by diverse scientists and engineers on STEM and literacy learning in young children and their interest in STEM careers. 

STEM Tales is made possible through the support of the National Science Foundation under Grant 2148023. 

The media read-alouds take shape in the form of four Book Drop episodes, produced by Marobu Productions, showcasing the following books:

Fiona the Fruit Bat by Dan Riskin, illustrated by Rachel Quiqi

They’re Tearing Up Mulberry Street by Yvonne Ng, illustrated by Richard Smythe

Jayden’s Impossible Garden by Mélina Mangal, illustrated by Ken Dale

Rocket Says Look Up by Nathan Bryon, illustrated by Dapo Adeola

Alfred Box of Books Library (Alfred NY)

Ascension Parish Library (Gonzales LA)

Central Lake District Library (Central Lake MI)

Coloma Public Library (Coloma MI)

Comfort Public Library (Comfort TX)

Itasca Community Library (Itasca IL)

Keene Public Library (Keene, NH)

Lineville City Library (Lineville, AL)

Lyon Township Public Library (South Lyon MI)

New Brunswick Free Public Library (New Brunswick NJ)

New Rochelle Public Library (New Rochelle NY)

Oakland City – Columbia Township Public Library (Oakland City IN)

Petoskey District Library (Petoskey MI)

Pine Forest Regional Library (Richton MS)

Priestley Forsyth Memorial Library (Northumberland PA)

Providence Public Library (Providence RI)

Red Bank Public Library (Red Bank NJ)

Summit Free Public Library (Summit NJ)

Warren County-Vicksburg Public Library (Vicksburg MS)

Willimantic Public Library (Willimantic CT)

Woodville Public Library (Woodville AL)

Libraries selected for the STEM Tales Project will be implementing four programs for children ages 4-8 and their families. Each program will consist of the following:

• Viewing one Book Drop episode 
• Facilitating two hands-on STEM activities 
• Sharing information about the reader’s career

Participating families will receive free take-home kits at the end of the program to continue exploring STEM at home! 

Watch all four Book Drop episodes featuring read-alouds by a Zoologist, a Civil Engineer, a Gardener, and an Astronaut!

Download four coloring pages to accompany each Book Drop episode.

View the Book Drop Educator Guide featuring hands-on STEM activities for ages 4-8 relating to the Book Drop episodes.

View the Book Drop Family Guide, created by the STEM Tales project team, for tips to engage youth in STEM at home.

Twin Cities PBS (TPT) STEM Tales Project Lead
STAR Library Network
T² Science & Math Education, creators of Story Time from Space
American University School of Education
Rockman et al Cooperative, External Evaluator

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number 2148023. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation, Twin Cities PBS, or the Space Science Institute.