By Mary Beth Barber, Compass Program Manager

School staff aren’t the only ones who can utilize the school library online resources provided by COMPASS at the California State Library. These resources are available at local libraries too and are free for parents and summertime staff supporting kids.

Need ideas for science-based projects with pre-kindergarten and early elementary kiddos? Back in March, we reminded folks about the read-aloud articles from PebbleGo Science. There’s an activity guide that goes with each article, so kids can explore subjects like erosion (in Spanish, too!) and then the adults can click “activity” to get a list of materials and directions for hands-on exploration. There’s an eBook on erosion, too, as well as dozens of other STEAM topics. 

Speaking of books, there are great STEAM suggestions in TeachingBooks for all ages. The Literary Science life science list for earth and space science for younger kids, Literary Science II for older kids, and another for engineering, all compiled by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center. The science fiction collection has over 17,000 titles, while the “science-included” fiction collection has over 15,000 titles.

Don’t forget about the Gale resources like National Geographic Kids magazine and the Gale Interactive Science to explore during downtimes. Kiddos interested in marine animals or wildlife can take a deeper dive with the magazine. Then they can virtually dissect a Beluga whale or dolphin in the interactive tool if their curiosity leads them in that direction.

For the older kiddos, consider selecting science-based documentaries or arts programming with science themes, all from Alexander Street. There’s a documentary on Willa Beatrice Brown, the first African-American licensed female aviator in the American History in Video collection, as well as another by Ken Burns on the history of radio. The performing arts collections include a documentary on the history of the organ with details on how the massive instrument works. 

All of these are available through both schools and local libraries. (If the library or district hasn’t included Alexander Street yet, ask and send them to the COMPASS team at compass@library.ca.gov for help.) And because performance rights are included, these videos (except National Theatre) can be shown in group settings at schools and libraries.

If you’re able to utilize public-school log-in credentials during the summer, there’s over 1,800 videos in the PBS collection that include science-based programming. Show episodes from the Nature series to NOVA to limited series like Power Trip: the Story of Energy or Beyond the Elements. History series often have science themes, like the American Experience biography of Rachel Carson or a look at the engineering feat of the New York subway system. 

These are just a few suggestions from COMPASS and online resources for the summertime. Your local library may have more, including popular kid programs for STEAM, hands-on activities, summer reading, and even multi-species events like read-to-a-dog sessions. 

Then there’s the bookshelves to browse, or finding books through TeachingBooks for Libraries to request and pick up later for pleasure reading – or just beating the heat with a few hours of air conditioning. Summer, STEAM, and the library should go hand-in-hand, so find your local library branch today!
 

About the Author
Mary Beth Barber is the COMPASS program manager at the California State Library. Contact her at compass@library.ca.gov with questions or visit their website.  

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