Top 10

Design Thinking / STEAM

resources
By Katherine O’Connor
 Why Design thinking?
I began this curation with two students in particular in mind. They form my first ever
primary gifted/challenge program, and our focus is on design thinking. These students are
in kindergarten and grade 1 French Immersion, and it was in planning for them that I found
the first item on my list of curated resources, “Comment ça marche?” outlined below.

Because the needs of these 2 kids are so wide ranging, it made me wonder what resources I
could find that would support the highest possible number of students in my whole school
population, for as teacher librarian I support them all.
Wiggins (2015) purports that “we worry too much about
Lexile scores and “grade-level texts” and not enough about
designing backward from our goal of text comprehension,”
and in this curation, I tried to choose resources that aid
in comprehension and pushing thinking using as many
strategies and approaches as possible. I also included
digital sources, and it is important to note that, while
my eye was on design thinking, an additional “focus on
[...] critical digital literacies is [...] needed [...] if
we wish to develop critical thinkers who will be engaged
participants in our democracy” (Gainer, 2012), which is
always, in my opinion, an underlying goal of education.
The following curation supports critical thinking and inquiry into science and
mathematical arenas, crossing curricular limits to include coding, multiple
literacies, and learning to strive for “WHY?”

In particular, I kept the following British Columbia Applied Design, Skills,

and Technologies curriculum in mind:

K-3 4-5
 Criteria
school/collection school goals - even if there
needs - what holes in are no formal goals in place,
the collection have it is possible to identify
been identified, common goals through
and/or what needs have recurring subjects of
been communicated to discussion/email traffic with
you. One specific need staff members. One of the
in my school is for a informal goals at my school
range of high interest is creating understanding
low reading level and compassion across
cultures and language
books, and/or
barriers. Resources that
resources that provide
show varied voices and
opportunities for
diverse characters, as well
students to learn
as challenging stereotypes
through audio and
and providing opportunities
kinesthetic means. for group problem solving,
are desirable.
curriculum fit - content - Canadian/BC
teachers are still perspective is important for
transitioning to the introducing Canadian
revised curriculum, culture to our students who
and having resources have come from other
that support that regions of the world, and to
shift is important to challenge the narrative of
stay on top of. The American sources. Content
resources I have needs to be current and
selected support the accurate, and demonstrate
various perspectives. I have
Applied Design,
selected resources that are
skills, and
updated regularly, that allow
technologies
space for critical
curricula, and also
examination of bias, and
sometimes provide for
that include Canadian
cross-curricular content when possible.
opportunities.
 Criteria
instructional design - technical design - visuals social considerations
does it fit with and text features are - diverse views and
current/best practices incredibly important in my characters, supporting
pedagogies and reflect school where almost 60% of human rights, and
the preferences and the population is ELL or promoting social
goals of teachers in ESD, so that is a major justice are integral
the school? Does it consideration for me when to my selection
support inquiry? The selecting NF texts. I process. The resources
resources included are selected resources that selected highlight
flexible enough to explain through both text characters from
work with a variety of and visuals, as well as diverse backgrounds,
including audio, kinesthetic,
teaching styles, and promote environmental
and technical options and **My criteria is largely
include elements of stewardship, and
supports. based on the categories
inquiry to support include voices from
this work. across the gender outlined by the Education
spectrum. Resource Acquisition
Consortium, with extra
categories and
interpretations added.
Comment ça marche? - non-fiction + hands on
Summary
Clear explanations of different simple machines
paired with cardboard pegboard and mechanisms to
create examples of the simple machines.

Special merits
This book contains a special hands-on component,
where students can follow instructions to create
an example of each of the simple machines
described in the non-fiction text. This helps
for visual/kinesthetic learners to understand
the concepts.The text is in French, and even if
the reading is not accessible, the images are
possible to follow. The book gives multiple
examples of real world, illustrated uses of each
machine that are relatable to children. I found
that it was helpful to supplement this text with
videos of simple machines in motion.

Arnold, N., & Sanders, A. (2012). Comment ça marche? : Machines et engins.

Bayard Canada.
Brains On! - Podcast Summary
A podcast about science that’s specifically
designed for child listeners.

Special merits
This podcast is co-hosted by a different child
each week, with input from scientists, to provide
answers to questions submitted by children around
the world. The producers select topics that
appeal to kids, and structure the program in a
way that is engaging and entertaining, while also
providing insight into the world and a chance for
kids to learn from a podcast - a format usually
reserved for adults. Their “mission is to
encourage kids’ natural curiosity and wonder
using science and history,” and though this
accessible podcast they reach kids with humour
and clear explanations. It would be a neat
project to submit student questions to the site
as part of an in-class inquiry.

Bloom, M., & American Public Media. (2019). Brains on! A Podcast for Kids &
Curious Adults [Audio blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.brainson.org/
Ada Twist, Scientist - Fiction, part of series
Summary
This is the story of a brilliant young girl of
colour, and celebrates her experiences of
learning and questioning the world around her.

Special merits
Just one of a whole series of picture books and
longer chapter books about children who are
unapologetically scientifically minded, this
story starts with a reference to Einstein
syndrome - “Ada Marie said not a word till the
day she turned three” (p.1), and continues by
showing the fun side of an inquisitive mind. I
can see this being used as a provocation for
discussion around how we see the world around
us, problem solving, and navigating
interpersonal relationships.

Beaty, A., & Roberts, D. (2018). Ada Twist, scientist. Boston, MA: Abrams
Books for Young Readers.
Mystery Doug - website
Summary
This is a website where members of the public
can ask questions, and the creator, Doug Pletz -
a science teacher, chooses one question to
answer each week.

Special merits
The website is interactive - students can submit
questions and wonderings, practicing writing and
questioning skills. If their question is
selected, they record a video of them asking the
question and interacting with the host over
skype. New material provided regularly, and you
can specify grade range that you work with. The
website is attached to the Mystery Science
website, where you can get free unit plans using
Mystery Doug videos and hands on activities, and
sometimes also providing a book suggestion to
accompany the lesson.

Peltz, D. (2019). Show a video every week that inspires your students to ask
questions. Retrieved from https://mysterydoug.com/
Plan and investigate it - non-fiction
Summary
This is a non-fiction introduction to the
scientific and/or inquiry process.

Special merits
I chose this text largely due to the simple and
clear text. It is accessible to lower level
readers with short sentences and a systematic
approach, and displays such text features as
colour images, large titles, bold words, and
basic symbology. It supports and gives examples
for how to write questions, and walks readers
through each process. It is also Canadian
content that highlights children from myriad
backgrounds and genders engaging in the
scientific process.

Duke, S. S., & Miller, R. (2015). Plan and investigate it! St. Catharines, Ontario:
Crabtree Publishing Company.
DIY- Website/App Summary
Free online and offline kid-friendly app that
gives sends out problem solving challenges to
the community, and encourages positive online
interactions.

Special merits
The app receives a good review on Common Sense
Media, where I always check out tech I am
considering using in the classroom. I like that
it provides both challenges for students and
positive feedback for working through the
problem solving process. It is free, and aimed
at children grades 3-8. One upside and downside
is that it is only possible to sign up if you
say you are 16 years old or younger. I believe
it would be better to have educator accounts
available so that it could be vetted.
Nevertheless, this could also prove to protect
children if it is monitored as closely as the
site suggests.

Kids Learning Skills and Being Awesome. – DIY. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://diy.org/
Maker lab Outdoors - Non-fiction
Summary
This resource provides step by step instruction
in the creation of 25 different hands on projects
that are meant to be undertaken outside.

Special merits
Because this book focuses on activities that take
place outdoors, it may attract the interest of
students who are interested in active outdoor
play, and those interested in place-based
learning and interacting with the natural
environment. It is hands-on and promotes problem
solving and the scientific method, requires
reading step by step instructions, and when done
as a class, provides the opportunity for students
to practice oral communication skills. This could
be paired with a study of the Stó:lō story “The
Class Hike” or the resource “Keepers of the
Earth: Native Stories and Environmental
Activities for Children,” as well as local
place-based learning initiatives.

Challoner, J. (2017). Smithsonian Maker Lab: 28 Super Cool Projects.

Australia: Dorling Kindersley.
Let’s talk science -outreach program
Summary
Local program that provides free educator
resources, and allows for university science
students to come to public schools to work with
students for hands on science learning.

Special merits
This program provides a space for youth-youth
connections and mentoring, as well as
opportunities for students to directly question
experts. The content is updated annually, is
subject and age specific, and community based -
there are other “Let’s Talk Science” branches in
other communities. There are multiple experts
and points of contact, and multiple formats
available, including classroom visits, whole
school events, judges for science fairs, and
campus visits. Programs are structured to
provide an active learning experience.

Let's Talk Science Outreach at the University of Victoria. (2017). Retrieved from
http://outreach.letstalkscience.ca/uvic
Hello Ruby: Adventures in Coding - Fiction & Non Fiction
Summary
This book begins with a short illustrated story
following Ruby’s experiences in coding, and then
presents 22 activities

Special merits
Some inquiry supports that exist through this
resource are that Ruby walks students through the
planning and questioning processes through the
story, and then activities increase in difficulty in
the second section of the book, scaffolding skills
in technology and design thinking. The story shows a
multifaceted character, highlighting that girls can
be interested in computational thinking.
A couple of negatives that struck me were the image
of a tipi in the bedroom of a red-haired caucasian
child (cultural appropriation), and that some gender
stereotypes are reinforced through focus on choosing
outfits for the female character in the coding
activities.

Liukas, L. (2016). Hello Ruby: Adventures in coding. Australia: Puffin Books.

STEM and literacy pathways for early learners -Teacher Resource
Summary
Teacher resource that includes step by step
lesson sequences to provoke inquiry, alongside
real world connections and book pairings.

Special merits
This binder is full of possiblities. I enjoy the
“Pathways Roadmap” booklet that outlines some
ideas for using the resource, a suggested
reading list, team-building activities,
differentiation strategies, materials you’ll
need for the activities outlined in the full
resources, and instant challenges, in addition
to some assessment suggestions. The lesson plans
outline the skills being targeted, and seem like
they would be both engaging and helpful
provocations for inquiry learning.

STEM & Literacy Pathways for Early Learners. (2014). Cherry Hill, NJ:
Destination Imagination.
Works cited
Arnold, N., & Sanders, A. (2012). Comment ça marche? : Machines et
engins. Bayard Canada.
BC's New Curriculum. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/curriculum/adst
Beaty, A., & Roberts, D. (2018). Ada Twist, scientist. Boston, MA:
Abrams Books for Young Readers.
Bloom, M., & A. (2019). Brains on! A Podcast for Kids & Curious Adults
[Audio blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.brainson.org/
Challoner, J. (2017). Smithsonian Maker Lab: 28 Super Cool Projects.
Australia: Dorling Kindersley.
Duke, S. S., & Miller, R. (2015). Plan and investigate it!St. Catharines,
Ontario: Crabtree Publishing Company.
Evaluating, Selecting and Acquiring Learning Resources: A
Guide[PDF]. (2008). Educational Resource Acquisition
Consortium. Retrieved from
https://bcerac.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/ERAC_WB.pdf
First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC). (2019).
Retrieved from http://www.fnesc.ca/
Gainer, J. (2012). Critical thinking: Foundational for digital
literacies and democracy. Journal of Adolescent & Adult
Literacy 56(1): 14-17.
Kids Learning Skills and Being Awesome. – DIY. (n.d.).
Retrieved from https://diy.org/
Let's Talk Science Outreach at the University of Victoria. (2017).
Retrieved from http://outreach.letstalkscience.ca/uvic
Liukas, L. (2016). Hello Ruby: Adventures in coding. Australia:
Puffin Books.
Peltz, D. (2019). Show a video every week that inspires your
students to ask questions. Retrieved from
https://mysterydoug.com/
STEM & Literacy Pathways for Early Learners. (2014). Cherry
Hill, NJ: Destination Imagination.
VanderBorght, M. (2018, August 09). DIY Review for Teachers.
Retrieved from
https://www.commonsense.org/education/website/diy
Wiggins, G. (2015, November 14). Text Complexity? Helping
Readers See The Whole Text -. Retrieved from
https://teachthought.com/literacy/text-complexity-helping-r
eaders-see-the-whole-text/