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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

Closed August 26th-30th

The Iowa Children’s Museum will be closed Monday, August 26th, through Friday, August 30th, for routine cleaning and maintenance. Thank you for your patience while we work to make our exhibits even better for your next visit!