Computers

STEM Tuesday– Computers– In the Classroom

By on August 14, 2026   /   Computers, STEM Tuesday  

Hi Everyone! We offer you a special STEM Tuesday post today and hope that you enjoy it.

 

Artificial Intelligence is a hot topic lately for educators, writers, readers, and students. There have been numerous discussions, if not arguments, about how to proceed with the direction of AI when it comes to education and also in writing children’s books.  One positive outcome recently was at a conference held in Boston this summer.  At the America’s Youth AI Festival, 93 high school students from all 50 states met with other organizers and developed guidelines for AI use in schools.  As reported in Education Week, their suggestions are as follows:    Education Week, 8/7/2026

 

It should emphasize human relationships and judgement. It should protect the learning process while allowing students to build skills for appropriate use.  It should preserve students’ and educators’ right to refuse to use the technology.

 

Children’s literature is another approach to help educate and inform us all about AI.  More and more children’s books are being written that educate and discuss the background, infrastructure, and possible future of Artificial Intelligence.  The From the Mixed Up Files blog came up with an excellent list of recent books to use with children/students.  

 

Examples of books about AI: 

 

Science Comics: Computers: How Digital Hardware Works 

By Perry E. Metzger, Penelope Spector and Jerel Dye

 

This is a graphic-style book designed to teach about computer hardware, so it goes beyond AI.  I believe it would be of interest to kids enthused by graphic novels, upper elementary/middle school students, computer/technology teachers, and others interested in the background and history of computers, and how it relates to AI today. It is written in an engaging style, with “dinosaurs” dressed in Victorian garb as the main characters.  The authors include a website, www.veniac.com, which is listed as having activities for kids and adults. I checked out the website, and it is still a work in progress, but it’s useful to keep in mind for future engaging activities beyond the book.  

 

See Inside AI: Artificial Intelligence (by Alex Frith and Victoria M. Williams, 

Illustrated by Beatrix Hatcher)

 

This is a comprehensive, “lift-the-flap” style book that will engage many learners, from early elementary through upper elementary/some middle schoolers.  It starts by defining “What is Artificial Intelligence?” and digs deeper by describing “How Does AI Work?”  Some engaging tidbits in here will hook most kids, such as how AI can help track wildlife that might be in danger, such as Koalas in the recent wildfires in Australia.  It is also relatable to kids, in that it mentions video games using AI to create characters that act in more unpredictable, innovative ways. Another high-interest grabber:  using AI to develop toilets that can update you on your health, if you so choose!  

 

The book also touches on higher-level issues with AI, such as: Can AI make art?  How should it be regulated?  What happens when AI can design new robots/computers/AI models itself?  This book can be a jumping-off point for discussions about the future of AI, including ethics. 

 

Kids and teachers can also learn more about AI and this book by going to this link usborne.com/Quicklinks and typing in the name of the book: See Inside AI Artificial Intelligence 

 

AI Vocabulary from the book:  

Narrow AI: only able to do one specific type of problem-solving

Deep Learning: training computers to teach themselves

Natural Language Processing: technology that helps computers understand human language (chatbots)

 

Resources for further information on AI and education/curriculum/policy: 

 

Day of AI: is a free, global “education program and curriculum created by researchers at MIT RAISE to introduce K-12 students to AI”.  It is designed to be non-technical and focuses on hands-on, engaging activities. 

Day of AI: Homepage 

 

They have a variety of activities for many age levels and interests:

 

How We Teach Machines, Ages 4-8 

 

Changing the Game: AI in Sports (ages 11-18) 

 

AI: Family Resources 

 

Common Sense Media AI Family Guide 

 

MIT RAISE: is an organization that advocates for “responsible AI for social empowerment and education”. They focus on AI literacy, ethics, and tools to help educate about AI.

 

MIT RAISE Homepage: Includes curriculum, policy, and studies links

 

 

MIT RAISE Playground Homepage

 

MIT RAISE Playground: Dance, Train Your Own Robot etc

 

By Susan Kenyon, a former special educator who believes that good STEM books can help with the literacy problem. When not writing non-fiction, she can be found exploring the United States.  Recently based in the PNW, she is now off to explore fossils, mountains, and marmots in the Rockies with her favorite little people.

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STEM Tuesday– Computers– Book List

By on August 4, 2026   /   Computers, STEM Tuesday  

Coding, Computers, AI, the history of technology, and more — you’ll find it all in the pages of the books below.

Cover of the book The Woman in the Moon

The Woman in the Moon: How Margaret Hamilton Helped Fly the First Astronauts to the Moon written by Richard Maurer (2023) is the life story of Margaret Hamilton, mathematician and engineer, who worked on the code that ensured the success of Project Apollo. This book includes numerous pictures and descriptions that provide a window into the events of the 1950s and 60s and acknowledges some of the overlooked contributors that helped send the first astronauts to the Moon.

Cover of the book Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook

Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook: The Complete Middle School Study Guide – Workman Publishing, written by Grant Smith (2020) is another book from the educational series, Brain Quest. Part of their Big Fat Notebook series, the book is premised on the idea that it is the smartest student’s notes from class and the reader borrows them. The authors cover everything from web development and cyber security to binary code and computational thinking.

Cover of the book The Atlas Obscura Explorer's Guide to Inventing the World

Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide to Inventing the World written by Jennifer Swanson and Dylan Thuras and illustrated by Ruby Fresson (2025) takes readers on a journey through time to explore 50 major inventions and scientific discoveries. They book is filled with diagrams and fun illustrations. Specific to the creation of computers and AI, it examines how clockwork automatons build up to modern digital language, artificial intelligence, binary numbers, cryptography, and quantum computers.

Cover of the book Mind vs Machines: Shaping Tomorrow's Smart with AI

Mind vs Machine: Shaping Tomorrow’s Smart Tech with AI by Madeline Tyler and illustrated by Martyn Cain (2026) provides middle grade readers with the foundation of AI: the origin story, growth, and applications today. Shared in graphic style with straightforward vocabulary interspersed with humor, the emphasis is on the positive contributions AI is making and will continue to bring to our world.

Cover of the book The History of the Computer: People, Inventions, and Technology That Changed the World

The History of the Computer: People, Inventions, and Technology that Changed Our World by Rachel Ignotofsky (2022) is an information-packed journey through technological time, spanning ancient civilizations through current times. The text and illustrations do a masterful job of capturing technological developments, influential people, ideas, era, inventions, and place.  

Cover of the book See Inside AI Artificial Intelligence

See Inside Artificial Intelligence, by Alex Frith, Victoria Williams and illustrated by Beatrix Hatcher (2025) is a See Inside book from Usborne. Through colorful illustrations and engaging text, the authors share what AI can do, how it does it, and what it can’t do. Readers lift flaps and work through mazes and other activities as they gain insight into Ai’s capabilities.

Cover of the book You Look Like A Thing And I Love You

You Look Like a Thing and I Love You: How Artificial Intelligence Works and Why It’s Making the World a Weirder Place by Janelle Shane (2019) explores how computers learn from data and examples, make decisions and mistakes, and the difference between human and artificial intelligence. Readers will enjoy the book’s humorous and accessible insight into how machines learn, fail, and adapt.

Cover of the book Dorothy Vaughan: NASA's Leading Human Computer

Dorothy Vaughan: NASA’s Leading Human Computer by J. Deirdra R. Head (2020) shares the story of mathematician Dorothy Vaughan, NASA’s first African American woman to lead a team at the Langley Research Center. She began as a math teacher and became an aerospace pioneer, contributing greatly to the United States space program. The book is part of the “Movers, Shakers And History Makers” series, showcasing famous individuals who made significant contributions to society and advancement in their fields.

Cover of the book AI Snake Oil What Artificial Intelligence Can Do, What it Can't, and How to Tell the Difference

AI Snake Oil: What Artificial Intelligence Can Do, What It Can’t, and How to Tell the Difference by Arvind Narayanan and Sayash Kapoor (2024) explores: how AI works; AI uses and risks; AI capabilities and limitations; and how to evaluate AI claims. It can support readers to make informed decisions about AI usage.  

Cover of the book Future Tense: How We Made Artificial Intelligence - And How It Will Change Everything

Future Tense: How We Made Artificial Intelligence—and How It Will Change Everything by Martha Brockenbrough (2024) introduces AI, its origins, development, uses, capabilities, limitations, and the role of humans in shaping the future of AI. This book may appeal to readers who have questions about AI’s role in society and ethical development.

Cover of the book Alan Turing

Alan Turing (A Life Story) by Joanna Nadin (2020) is part of the biographical “A Life Story” series. It’s the story of Alan Turing, a code-cracking genius. The book includes black and white illustrations and provides an overview of his life and ideas, with quizzes to keep the reader engaged and learning. It’s a quick, gripping read about a British mathematician and computer scientist who broke German coding during World War II and whose ideas contributed to the computer and AI today.

Cover of the book Computer Science for Curious Kids

Computer Science for Curious Kids: An Illustrated Introduction to Software Programming, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber-Security―and More! written by Chris Oxlade and Nik Neves (2023) is full of detailed illustrations. It provides explanations that showcase the history of significant developments and key figures in the history of computer science, programming and coding, and how computers impact everyday life.

Cover of the book Science Comics: Computers: How DIgital Hardware Works

Science Comics: Computers: How Digital Hardware Works by Perry E. Metzger and Penelope Spector and illustrated by Jerel Dye (2024) explains what computers are and how they work. A professor, a Victorian era computer expert, and a dinosaur take the reader on a humorous journey through computer technology revealing the human creation of the computer. They explain the way a computer works as a non-magical, scientific tool that is useful for children and adults.

Bev Schellenberg is an author (A Prince Among Dragons; A Princess Among Dragons), as well as a writer of creative nonfiction, poetry, and picture books. She’s an advocate of STEM who was a science fair national winner and high school robotics club sponsor, and passionate about young people discovering, following the passion inside them and flourishing. She’s taught grades kindergarten to grade 12 and is currently an academic advisor, careers teacher, and armchair futurist. Learn more about Bev at BevSchellenberg.com.

Carolyn Pfister is a STEM Content Developer, writer/illustrator, and coordinator of the California Early Math Project. She is interested in encouraging family and community STEM opportunities and maintaining children’s early love and success with math and science. Carolyn writes a monthly Substack on behalf of the California Early Math Project – https://carolynpfister.substack.com/. Learn more about Carolyn at Carolynpfister.com

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