Exploring STEM and Coding Through Books: A Guide for Teens

How Books Can Help You Learn STEM and Coding

At Skill Samurai, our Coding & STEM Academy for Kids, we believe that reading isn't just for English class—it's also a great way to learn about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and coding! Books filled with stories, pictures, and fun activities can make learning about these subjects exciting and easy to understand.

Why Reading is Awesome for STEM Learning

Think of books as tools that can open up a whole new world of ideas and cool facts. Whether you're just getting started or you want to dive deeper into topics like coding, there are tons of books out there that can help. And the best part? You can learn about STEM and coding in a way that's fun and engaging, especially with picture books that have lots of images and puzzles.

Great STEM Books to Check Out

Here are some awesome books that mix fun stories with science and tech learning:

1. "Ada Twist, Scientist" by Andrea Beaty

This book is all about Ada, a girl who loves science and discovering new things through experiments. It's perfect for learning how curiosity leads to solving problems—something that's super important in coding and STEM.

2. "Rosie Revere, Engineer" by Andrea Beaty

Rosie dreams of being an engineer. Even when she fails, she learns not to give up. This book is a great reminder that failing is part of learning and that persistence is key in engineering and life.

3. "Iggy Peck, Architect" by Andrea Beaty

Iggy isn't your typical kid; he builds amazing things like a replica of the Great Sphinx. His story shows how being unique and creative is valuable, especially when building and designing.

4. "This Bridge Will Not Be Gray" by Dave Eggers

Ever wondered how bridges are built? This book takes you through the story of the Golden Gate Bridge, mixing history with the fun of building your own bridges.

5. "How to Code a Sandcastle" by Josh Funk

Pearl and her robot friend Pascal tackle the challenge of building a sandcastle by using coding principles. It's a great way to see how coding can solve real-world problems.

6. "The Most Magnificent Thing" by Ashley Spires

A story about a girl and her dog trying to create something amazing. It teaches the importance of not giving up on your ideas, even when things don't go as planned.

7. "If I Built A Car" by Chris Van Dusen

This book is about dreaming big and the fun of designing, as Jack imagines building a fantastic car. It's a cool way to think about future careers in STEM and coding.

8. "Rube Goldberg’s Simple Normal Humdrum Day" by Jennifer George

A funny book about a guy who makes everyday tasks complicated with his machines. It's a fun introduction to engineering and building things yourself.

9. "Computer Decoder: Dorothy Vaughan, Computer Scientist" by Andi Diehn

Learn about Dorothy Vaughan, a computer science pioneer at NASA. This book makes computer science easy to understand and shows how coding has changed the world.

How STEM and Reading Go Together

All these books show that you can use reading to get better at STEM and coding. They're not just about learning; they're about getting inspired and trying out new things yourself.

Getting More STEM Skills

Books are great, but doing stuff hands-on is even better. At Skill Samurai, we offer cool after-school programs for kids and teens to get into robotics, programming, and more. We use games and platforms like Minecraft and Roblox to make learning about STEM super fun and practical.

Join Us at Skill Samurai

If you're into science, tech, engineering, or math, or just curious about coding, Skill Samurai has something for you. We're all about helping kids and teens like you learn more about STEM and coding in a fun, practical way. So why not check out what we have to offer and take your STEM skills to the next level? Visit skillsamurai.co.nz.