STEM Tuesday

STEM Tuesday– Mountains– Book List
March 3, 2026 by STEM Tuesday

Mountains are some of the most awe-inspiring places on Earth, towering above clouds, shaped by volcanoes and glaciers, and home to incredible plants, animals, and people. From icy Himalayan peaks to rugged mountain ranges around the world, these powerful landscapes shape ecosystems and challenge explorers. The books below invite middle grade readers to discover the science, adventure, survival, and wonder found at the top of the world. Mountain: Go On a Grand Tour of the Highest Places on Earth by Jason Bittel and Sandra Neuditschko This browseable guide showcases mountain ranges, plateaus, volcanoes, and tepuis across the world. From the pink sand of Mount Roraima to the Himalayan glaciers, the book’s breathtaking landscapes and close-up photos of mountain-dwelling creatures highlight the geographic and ecological diversity of the planet’s mountains. There’s a Mountain in this Book by Rachel Elliott and Genevieve Lacroix With clever die-cut flaps and interactive gatefolds, the book takes readers on a global trek through...
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STEM Tuesday– Chemistry– Author Interview
February 24, 2026 by Jennifer Swanson

We are excited to be talking with Jon Chad, author/illustrator of the Physics of Life SCIENCE Comics, and the new Solvers comics about Math. Because this month’s topic is chemistry, we are specifically talking about this book: Science Comics: The Periodic Table of Elements JS: How did you get the idea to write this awesome book and why did you choose to make it a graphic novel? Jon C.: I was asked by my...
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STEM Tuesday– Chemistry– Writing Tips & Resources
February 17, 2026 by Jennifer Swanson

Chemistry Love & The Power of (Word) Attraction February Can the month of love be the perfect month for a STEM Tuesday post on chemistry? Yes, it can. Love = Attraction Chemistry = Attraction Chemistry = Love! Creating a STEM-themed piece of writing or any other creative endeavor that readers love means creating an attraction, or chemistry, with the reader. Sound simple enough, right? But as we all find out one way or the other, creativity, like relationships, is anything but simple. So, how can we use chemistry to become more effective creators? Chemistry, in a nutshell, is the study of matter and how matter interacts. By knowing how our own creative matter interacts, we can create more satisfying work. Building better bonds Chemistry is dependent on the bonds formed between atoms. The quantum attractions and repulsions between atoms hold matter together in an almost infinite number of possible configurations....
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STEM Tuesday– Chemistry– In the Classroom
February 10, 2026 by Jennifer Swanson

How Do Molecules Stay Together? by Madeline J. Hayes, illustrated by Srimalie Bassani How Do Molecules Stay Together? is a picture book that introduces readers to some basic chemistry concepts. This could be a good read-aloud as an introduction to chemistry, although I suspect older students may find the call-and-response phrases a little too childish for their liking. Marie Curie for Kids by Amy M. O’Quinn This is a book that’s great for readers who love history and activities. Follow Marie Curie’s life from a bright, young girl in occupied Poland through her Nobel prize winning discoveries. This book is packed from activities that explore a wide range of topics, including geography, culture, and science. I read this book in its e-book version, which had some formatting issues that occasionally made it challenging to absorb. This could be an opportunity to explore those areas with an activity. (See below)...
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