Storytime STEM-Packs is a group of passionate educators from the Allegheny Intermediate Unit in Pittsburgh, who all have taught in the classroom, and for the last 12 years have worked with teachers, administrators, and children’s librarians to bring inquiry-based STEM instruction to kids. They are dedicated to providing all children with the opportunity for fun and engaging quality learning activities that help them learn STEM concepts and shape their success in life.

In 2013, as a result of a large Math Science Partnership grant, they started to work with children’s librarians to integrate STEM activities into their summer reading program, and listened to their needs. The children’s librarians asked for activities that were fun and engaging for kids, easy to use, require minimal preparation time, and are aligned to research and standards. The idea for Storytime STEM-Packs was born. For the next year, based on interviews with librarians, teachers, and parents, they refined their product. They shared Storytime STEM-packs during Early Learner networks, attended by over 100 teachers and librarians, and gathered additional feedback. In August of 2016 they released their first 5 Storytime STEM-packs. With funding from their organization, and a new PA Math Science Partnership grant, they are continuing to develop additional Storytime STEM-PACKS.