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outreach program

Storytime STEM

Literacy and STEM Integration for Rural Schools

Our Storytime STEM program provides early elementary learners access to high-quality, hands-on lessons that emphasize experiential learning and literacy. With an embedded goal of reaching first graders in rural districts, the Storytime STEM program focuses on expanding access to dynamic, age-appropriate literary and STEM curricula.

Benefits for Students

Immerse first-grade students in an engaging blend of computer science and literacy with our unique outreach program! Led by qualified educators, this outreach program combines storytelling and hands-on STEM activities using Bee-Bot programmable robots and a fairy tale adventure.

  • Materials and facilitation are provided by The Iowa Children’s Museum.

  • Develops computational skills, collaboration, and communication through active learning.

  • Tried-and-tested curricula is designed just for first graders to align with Iowa CORE Standards.

  • Each student gets a free museum pass to come play in our exhibits another day!

Iowa CORE Standards

Computer Science Fundamentals for Grade 1

  • 1A-AP-09: Model the way programs store and manipulate data by using numbers or other symbols to represent information.

  • 1A-AP-10: Develop programs with sequences and simple loops to express ideas or address a problem.

  • 1A-AP-11: Decompose (break down) the steps needed to solve a problem into a precise sequence of instructions.

  • 1A-AP-14: Debug (identify and fix) errors in an algorithm or program that includes sequences and simple loops.

Reading Standards for Literature (Grade 1)

  • Key Ideas and Details

  • Ask and answer questions about key details in a text. (RL.1.1) (DOK 1,2)

  • Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message/lesson (RL.1.2) (DOK 1,2)

  • Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details. (RL.1.3) (DOK 1)

Cost

Limited free opportunities are available (first-come-first-serve basis), thanks to support from the Bayer Foundation

Ages 

Grade 1

How it works

Contact us to arrange for two visits from museum educators to your school. We provide all materials and facilitate educational activities within your space.

  • Visit 1: Students read “Lovabye Dragon” and use Bee-Bots to recreate story scenes on an adventure mat.
  • Visit 2: Students design their own story mat, program Bee-Bot, and use teamwork to tackle challenges.

Bring Storytime STEM to your school!

Interested in participating in Storytime STEM? Contact Aimee Mussman at amussman@theicm.org or by calling 319.625.6255 ext 216