AASL’s guide to 30-minute STEAM activities for elementary learners

CHICAGO — Published by AASL and ALA Editions, Deborah Rinio’s book “STEAM Activities in 30 Minutes for Elementary Learners” places school librarians at the intersection of inquiry, exploration, and creativity in an elementary school setting. Learners will think like a scientist and design like an engineer using an iterative process to make authentic learning connections and develop a growth mindset. Designed to be completed in 30-minute class periods, 14 scaffolded STEAM activities allow school librarians to easily shift the same lesson between classes and grade levels. And many of the activities use easy-to-obtain household materials like empty plastic bottles, paper clips, and tape, making them easily adaptable for use with distance learning. National School Library Standards alignments with STEAM content area standards promote instructional partnerships focused on teaching inquiry, collaboration, and learner-driven exploration, making STEAM a perfect approach for the elementary school library. An invaluable timesaver, this resource provides:

• activities scaffolded for grade bands K-2, 3-4, and 5-6, engaging learners at greater levels of complexity or cognition;
• alignments to the AASL Standards Framework for Learners, the Next Generation Science Standards, and the National Core Arts Standards;
• science background for school librarians and other educators who may be unfamiliar with the STEAM concepts being explored; and
• sample assessments, technology integration, collaboration and growth mindset tips, and suggested picture books.

Rinio, PhD is a Assistant Teaching Professor for the School Library Certification Program at Montana State University Bozeman and teaches as an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Previously, she was a school librarian in elementary, middle, and high schools for the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. She was on the AASL Standards and Guidelines Editorial Board that developed the National School Library Standards. She has served on various boards and committees including the ALA Policy Corps, Alaska Association of School Librarians, and Alaska Library Association. She has published in VOYA, Knowledge Quest, School Library Connection, and School Libraries Worldwide.

The American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association, empowers leaders to transform teaching and learning.

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