Using Best STEM Books to Launch Authentic STEM Learning,

The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) is the largest professional organisation dedicated to science education, supporting hundreds of thousands of educators across the United States and internationally with resources, professional learning, and advocacy for high-quality science instruction. Their member web seminar series provides free, expert-led online sessions on topics spanning all grade levels and science disciplines. This web seminar focuses on using NSTA's annually curated Best STEM Books list as a springboard for authentic, interdisciplinary STEM learning experiences. The Best STEM Books programme, a collaboration between NSTA and the Children's Book Council, identifies outstanding trade books that integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics content in engaging, accessible ways for K–12 students. In this session, educators will discover practical strategies for selecting and incorporating STEM trade books into instruction that goes beyond reading comprehension—using stories and informational texts to launch hands-on investigations, spark curiosity about real-world problems, and connect literacy with scientific inquiry. Ideal for preschool through elementary educators and pre-service teachers, this seminar demonstrates how quality STEM literature can serve as a powerful entry point for student-driven exploration and deeper conceptual understanding.