Search by Topic

STEM Tuesday
  • AI Example page
    STEM Tuesday — Robotics and Artificial Intelligence– Author Interview
    September 26, 2023 by
    STEM Tuesday– Robotics and Artificial Intelligence — Interview with Author Darcy Pattison Welcome to STEM Tuesday: Author Interview, a repeating feature for the last Tuesday of every month. Go Science-Tech-Engineering-Math! Today we’re interviewing Darcy Pattison, author of A.I.: How Patterns Helped Artificial Intelligence Defeat World Champion Lee Sedol.  It’s a fascinating look at the use of artificial intelligence and how a common board game was used to demonstrate that, in some cases, a computer might possess superior skill levels. Kirkus Reviews calls it, “An enthralling, contemporary tale of man versus machine.”           Christine Taylor-Butler: Darcy, you’ve been in the business for quite a while and you’ve written everything from science fiction and fantasy to contemporary stories and science. When did you know you wanted to become a writer? Were there detours along the way? Darcy Pattison: I have always been a reader! In sixth grade, I read THE LORD OF THE RINGS (the Harry Potter of...
    Read more
  • Descriptive Writing image
    STEM Tuesday — Robotics and Artificial Intelligence– Writing Tips & Resources
    September 19, 2023 by
    AI & Robots Activities When beginning to research this month’s topics (AI & Robots) I needed to look no further than my own writers’ group. Longtime member George Anthony Kulz is our resident technical guru with books out about both topics. And he is a prime example for the success strategies of STEAM. While he uses his technical skills and knowledge for his work, he has also been honing his creative writing skills. Combining the two has resulted in a complementary career as a children’s book author, showing how important it is to balance the sciences with the arts. I asked George several questions about his writing and how he got there. At the end of this article, there are some resources for kid activities that combine visual art, writing, and science. You have been asked to write a number of books about technology. How did you come by your...
    Read more
  • STEM Tuesday -- Robotics and Artificial Intelligence-- In the Classroom
    STEM Tuesday — Robotics and Artificial Intelligence– In the Classroom
    September 12, 2023 by
      Not long ago, robots and artificial intelligence were the imagination of science fiction books and movies. Yet every day, advances in technology, robotics, and engineering are making them a reality! The book suggestions this month put a spotlight on the history of robotics and artificial intelligence and are a great starting point for classroom discussions and activities.   Bots! Robotics Engineering: With Hands-One Makerspace Activities by Kathy Ceceri and Lena Chandhok This book explores how robots play a vital role in our world. It details the history and theory of programming and robotics, and includes many hands-on robotics projects that help children learn design, engineering, and coding. It is beautifully formatted and fun to read. Classroom Activity This book is full of activities that can be adapted for the classroom. One activity asks students to build a simple tilt sensor with LED lights. It can be made with household...
    Read more
  • Spare Parts book cover
    STEM Tuesday — Robotics and Artificial Intelligence– Book List
    September 5, 2023 by
              There’s no denying it, we can’t escape the growing fields of robotics and artificial intelligence. Below are book suggestions for readers who wish to learn more about the history of robotics and AI, as well as how to create their own inventions   National Geographic Kids Everything Robotics: All the Photos, Facts, and Fun to Make You Race for Robots by Jen Swanson Robots don’t simply occupy the space of fiction these days, as they have infiltrated every day life. Robots can fix aircrafts, dance, tell jokes, and even clean your carpet! Swanson gives a great history of robotics and also adds a section of the future of robotics. Fantastic writing along with eye catching visuals.     Spare Parts (Young Readers’ Edition): The True Story of Four Undocumented Teenagers, One Ugly Robot, and an Impossible Dream By Reyna Grande (Adapter), Joshua Davis (Author) Spare...
    Read more

Contributors

Photo of Karen Latchana Kenney

Karen Latchana Kenney

Biography

Karen Latchana Kenney loves to write books about animals, and looks for them wherever she goes—from leafcutter ants trailing through the Amazon rain forest in Guyana, where she was born, to puffins in cliff-side burrows on the Irish island of Skellig Michael. She especially enjoys creating books about nature, biodiversity, conservation, and groundbreaking scientific discoveries—but also writes about civil rights, astronomy, historical moments, and many other topics. Her award-winning and star-reviewed books have been named a YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, a 2015 Book of Note from the TriState Review Committee, a 2011 Editor’s Choice for School Library Connection, and Junior Library Guild selections. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband and son, and bikes, hikes, and gazes at the night sky in northern Minnesota any moment she can.