Special Collection: STEM Connections 

We delved into the Storyworks archives to bring you some of our most popular stories that complement your STEM curriculum. From a thrilling narrative nonfiction article about the creatures of the Ice Age to a lyrical poem about glass frogs, this collection is sure to engage and delight your classroom. We hope you enjoy sharing these stories with your students!

 

 

Frozen Earth

Could a baby mammoth reveal secreats about life 
and death during the Ice Age? 

Read the Article
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this article
Download
Beyond the Story: Meet an Ice Age Scientist
Meet a paleontologist who studies Ice Age creatures
Immersive Read Aloud
Music and sound effects bring the article to life
Listen

The Message

In the year 2340, a ship is deep in space, headed 
for a new planet. Will Astra save the mission—or destroy it?

Read the Story
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this story
Download
Video: What is Science Fiction?
Learn about the genre of science fiction
Genre
This activity helps students analyze the characteristics of science fiction stories
Download

Super Slime

It’s ooey. It’s gooey. And it helps some animals survive. 
Welcome to the wonderful world of slime.

Read the Article
Video: Sticky Spit
Learn about animals that use their sticky spit for survival
Paragraph Power
Follow these stepes to write a strong paragraph summary
Download
Mini Read Read-Aloud
Hear the article read aloud
Listen to the Article

Disaster in the Sky

How a terrible accident in 1986 changed
space exploration forever

Read the Article
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this article
Download
Behind the Scenes: "Disaster in the Sky"
A video that takes students into the author's writing process
Cause and Effect
Identify the causes and effects of the Challenger Disaster
Download

The Tornado That Changed America

What was it like to live through the deadliest single
tornado strike in U.S. history?

Read the Article
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this article
Download
Watch a Video
Author Lauren Tarshis talks about her writing process
Immersive Read Aloud
Music and sound effects bring the story to life
Listen to the Story

The Snake That’s Eating Florida

Two texts explore an invasive species
and what to do about it

Read the Paired Texts
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching the paired texts
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Synthesize
Synthesize information from both texts
Download
Paired Text Read-Aloud
Hear the articles read aloud
Listen to the Articles

Would You Eat Insects?

Some experts say that insects are the food of the future. 
Does that mean that one day you’ll eat crickets for dinner?

Read the Debate
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this debate
Download
Write an Opinion Essay
Follow these steps to write an opinion essay
Download
Opinion Essay Toolkit
Tips to help students write a powerful opinion essay
Download

Light

The amazing story of how Thomas Edison 
changed the world

Read the Play
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this play
Read the Play
Vocabulary Slideshow
Unlock challenging vocabulary words with visual and audio support
View the Slideshow
Text Features
Unpack the story's photos, captions, and sidebars
Download

Rescue in the Rainforest

In a jungle in Costa Rica, a young sloth was sick 
and close to death. This is the extraordinary story 
of the people who raced to save her.

Read the Article
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this article
Download
Video: Hanging with Sloths
Learn about different species of sloths
Research Kit
Lead students on a research journey inspired by the story
Download

This Frog Is See-Through!

Glass frogs have clear skin on their legs and bellies. Why?

Read the Article
Video: Amazing Adaptations
Learn about how animals use adaptations to survive
Wonderful Words!
Unlock new vocabulary related to the article
Download
Mini Read Read-Aloud
Hear the article read aloud
Listen to the Article

Peering Up From Mud

Lyrical words bring glass frogs to life

Read the Poem
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this poem
Download
Poetry Read-Aloud
Hear the poem read aloud
Listen to the Poem
Poetry Kit
This activity helps students unpack the poem
Download

The Python Brothers

Alex and his brother are hunting for hungry snakes. 
What could possibly go wrong?

Read the Story
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this story
Download
Video: What Are Invasive Species?
Learn more about the harmful effects of invasive species.
How Characters Interact
Students will unpack a relationship's changes
Download

The Puffin Protectors

As she rescues lost puffins, Izzy learns that the birds 
aren’t the only ones who need help finding their way

Read the Play
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this play
Read the Play
Video: Wild About Puffins
Learn about three puffin species
How A Character Changes
Students will analyze how a main character changes
Download

The Ferris Wheel

A lyrical poem about a fantastic invention

Read the Poem
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step guide to teaching this poem
Download
Poetry Read-Aloud
Hear the poem read aloud
Listen to the Poem
Poetry Kit
This activity helps students unpack the poem
Download

Storm Struck!

On a highway in Florida, a car is hit by
a bolt of lightning. What happens to 
the family inside?

Read the Article
Background Builder Slideshow
Learn how lightning forms before reading the article
View the Slideshow
Wonderful Words!
Unlock vocabulary related to the article with this Skill Builder
Download
Mini Read Read-Aloud
Listen to the article read aloud
Listen to the Article

Art Credits: Frozen Earth: Illustration by Shane Rebenschied; The Message: Art by Shane Rebenschied; Super Slime: Nature Picture Library/Alamy Stock Photo; The Tornado That Changed America: iStockphoto/Getty Images; The Snake That's Eating Florida: Hillary Kladke/Getty Images; Would You Eat Insects: Michael Kooren/Reuters (Cupcake); Shutterstock.com (Crickets); Diaster in the Sky: Thom Baur/AP Images; Light: Illustration by Allan Davey; Rescue in the Rainforest: Photo courtesy of Sam Trull; This Frog Is See-Through: Pete Oxford/Minden Pictures; Peering Up From Mud: Art by Susan Swan; The Python Brothers: Art by Mora Vieytes; The Puffin Protectors: © Harry Read Photography; The Puffin Protectors: weible1980/Getty Images; Storm-Struck!: John Sirlin/Alamy Stock Photo