🚀 Introducing STEM-Powered Play Kits!
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our brand new STEM-Powered Play circulating collection! Developed by a dedicated committee of regional school librarians and funded by an LSTA grant, this “Library of Things” is designed to redefine the rural school library experience.
We have built 60 comprehensive, hands-on learning kits specifically for grades K-8. These kits are designed to transform your library or classroom from a passive reading space into an active, inquiry-based learning lab.
📦 What is Inside Each Kit?
Every STEM-Powered Play kit is a fully self-contained lesson in a box, structured around three core pillars to blend literacy with interactive discovery:
- High-Interest Non-Fiction Books: Each kit contains carefully vetted, modern non-fiction books that establish the foundational background knowledge for the theme. Our collection spans almost all Dewey Decimal ranges, bringing diverse voices and updated genres directly to your students.
- Durable, Reusable STEM Materials: Students don’t just read—they do! Kits include robust, reusable physical materials for students to conduct experiments, build models, write code, or solve engineering challenges related directly to the books.
- Standards-Aligned Lesson Plans: No prep required! Every kit comes complete with a detailed, ready-to-use lesson plan featuring clear learning objectives, step-by-step instructions, discussion prompts. and activities adaptable for multiple grade levels.
🎯 Themes That Connect to Student Passions
We know that the best way to spark a love for STEM is to connect it to things kids already love. Our kits bridge complex scientific concepts with high-interest topics, featuring themes such as:
- “Magnet Mayhem: Exploring Forces & Magnetism” – Students will investigate magnetic forces by observing how magnets can attract, repel, and move objects without direct contact.
- “Animal Architects: The Science of Habitats” – Students will design and test a model of an animal habitat, explaining how the physical characteristics of their design help an animal survive environmental “weather” (wind and rain).
- …and dozens more covering a wide array of scientific, historical, and mathematical concepts!
💡 Why Use Them?
- Resource Equity: Access advanced learning tech and premium non-fiction books that your individual school budget might not otherwise cover.
- Engage Reluctant Readers: The combination of physical items and exciting books has been proven during pilot testing to pull in students who don’t typically engage with traditional library books.
- Turnkey Facilitation: Designed by librarians, for librarians and teachers. You provide the space; the kit provides the engagement.
🚚 How to Reserve a Kit
Because these kits are part of a centralized, circulating model managed by SEDC, borrowing them is incredibly easy:
- Browse the available STEM-Powered Play kits below.
- Check the calendar here for availability.
- Reserve your kit for your desired dates by filling out the Google Form here.
- SEDC will handle the logistics to deliver the kit directly to your school and pick it up when you’re done! Or you can pick them up at our office in Cedar City.
Ready to bring hands-on science to life? Head over to our reservation portal and book a kit for your media center or classroom today!
See the kits below!
Students will design and test a model of an animal habitat, explaining how the physical characteristics of their design help an animal survive environmental “weather” (wind and rain).
Students will analyze and interpret data from “fossil” records (modeled by the kit items) to provide evidence of how ancient organisms lived and the types of environments that existed long ago.
Students will identify the external parts of marine animals and explain how those structures function to help the animal survive, grow, and meet its needs in an aquatic environment.
Students will use models to identify the distinct life stages of insects and explain how the physical structures of an insect (such as an exoskeleton or specialized legs) help it survive in its environment.
Students will define a simple design problem, build a structure to solve it, and test how well the structure performs under the constraints of gravity and tension.
Students will develop and use models to describe that organisms have unique and diverse life cycles, identifying common patterns of birth, growth, reproduction, and death.
Students will plan and carry out investigations to describe and classify different types of rocks and minerals by their observable properties (color, texture, hardness, and luster).
See the STEM kits available from SEDC below!
STEM Kit: Animal Habitats & Weather
Students will design and test a model of an animal habitat, explaining how the physical characteristics of their design help an animal survive environmental “weather” (wind and rain).
STEM Kit: Fossil Records & Ancient Environments
Students will analyze and interpret data from “fossil” records (modeled by the kit items) to provide evidence of how ancient organisms lived and the types of environments that existed long ago.
STEM Kit: Marine Animal Structures & Adaptation
Students will identify the external parts of marine animals and explain how those structures function to help the animal survive, grow, and meet its needs in an aquatic environment.
STEM Kit: Insect Life Stages & Physical Structures
Students will use models to identify the distinct life stages of insects and explain how the physical structures of an insect (such as an exoskeleton or specialized legs) help it survive in its environment.
STEM Kit: Engineering & Structural Design
Students will define a simple design problem, build a structure to solve it, and test how well the structure performs under the constraints of gravity and tension.
STEM Kit: Animal Life Cycles
Students will develop and use models to describe that organisms have unique and diverse life cycles, identifying common patterns of birth, growth, reproduction, and death.
STEM Kit: Rocks & Minerals Investigation
Students will plan and carry out investigations to describe and classify different types of rocks and minerals by their observable properties (color, texture, hardness, and luster).