The Nebraska 4-H STEM Reading Connections Program

Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics Through Stories

Mother and son reading together

 Nebraska STEM Imagination Reading Program

We are here to help you develop children and youth’s love for STEM through imagination guides.

Upcoming Training 
 
Date: March 26, 2024 
1:00-2:00 and 6:30-7:30 Central Time
Registration Link(s)
Date: April, 29, 2024
1:00-2:00 and 6:30-7:30 Central Time
Register Link(s)   1:00 https://go.unl.edu/aprilstemafternoon 

This program provides all caregivers (early childhood professionals and parents) with books, guided questions, and expanded learning resources to support literacy development, enhance relationships, and to make a connection with your local library.

Each year the theme changes, but the imagination guides always include the following:

  • Conversation Starters
  • STEM Connections
  • Nature
  • Creative Arts
  • Infant and Toddlers
  • Resource Connection
  • Infant/Toddler Board Book Suggestion
Child reading a picture book with a parent

2024 STEM Imagination Guides Choose Your Adventure

Adventures await when you connect storybooks and STEM!

Learning through adventures means lots of active learning experiences. This year's STEM Imagination Guides feed young children's curiosity as they explore their library, backyard, space, and beyond!

Download this STEM Imagination Guide

Book Cover

Duck Soup

Adventures in the Kitchen

STEM Connection: Cook with a Book

Download this Guide

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The Hike

Adventures in the Wild

STEM Connection: Soil Science 

Download this Guide

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Up, Down, and Around

Adventures in the Garden

STEM Connection: Math Spatial Awareness

Download this Guide

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Cece Loves Science

Adventures in the Lab

STEM Connection: Celery Science

Download this Guide

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This is How We Do It

Adventures Here and There

STEM Connection: Sink or Float with Boats

Download this Guide

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Rocket the Space Giraffe

Adventures in Outer Space

STEM Connection: Magnet Block Rockets

Download this Guide

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Do Not Bring Your Dragon to the Library

Adventures in the Library

STEM Connection: Dragon Eggs

Download this Guide


John's Camping Adventures

Adventures in the Library

STEM Connection: Tent Building

Download this Guide

The activities engage the children. The connection between the activities and the book content is easy to grasp. These guides encourage play and the children are eager to participate.

Early Childhood Educator

Archived STEM Imagination Guides

2024 Library Commission Theme: Adventure Begins at Your Library 

Looking for engagement for school-aged children in your care? This program is available to youth development and early childhood professionals, afterschool clubs, summer school and camps, libraries, and parents. Resources provide engaging learning opportunities to spark an interest in STEM concepts and 4-H.

Download 2024 4-H Resources

4-H 2024 Reading Connection Resources

  1. Head: Aventures in Your Community
  2. Heart: Adventures in Gardening
  3. Hands: Adventures in Food Science
  4. Health: Adventures in the Forest

 4-H Reading Connections - Archived Lessons

No endorsement of products or services by 4-H is intended or implied.

Want to request this program? Please send an e-mail to Jennifer Hansen.

Three girls doing a science activity
Jackie Steffen Portrait

Jackie Steffen
Nebraska Extension in Cedar County
Early Childhood
jsteffen2@unl.edu

Sarah Roberts Portrait

Sarah Roberts
Nebraska Extension in Dixon County
Early Childhood
sarah.roberts@unl.edu

Sarah Roberts Portrait

Ingrid Lindal
Nebraska Extension in Saline County
Early Childhood
ilindalchavarria2@unl.edu