Participate and share: Interactive session 
The purpose of this presentation is to share the importance of pairing quality literature with project and inquiry based, multisensory opportunities outside of the classroom. This allows students to connect more deeply with a story, as well as acquire additional learning through the many, varied, extension activities. The STEM Lending Library backpacks are filled with everything a student will need to independently read the story and complete the activities. This includes a QR code to take students directly to a website where the stories and activity directions are read aloud to them. Participants will have an understanding of why the website is a necessary part of the equation to allow all students the opportunity to engage with the materials, even if they do not have adult support. The presentation will cover the research that shows how important cross curricular connections, combined with hands on experiences, enriches and improves students learning. Attendees will participate in the process of designing additional extensions for backpacks they would like to create using the template created by the presenter.
0-5 min: Introduction and background on presenter.
5-20 min: Present research on benefits of a STEM lending library, experience with implementation, steps in creating STEM backpacks, suggestions for who to partner with in the educational setting, materials needed, book suggestions for different age levels/grades, how to accommodate students with learning differences, and more.
20-30 min: Share suggested resources and websites as well as presenter created website and template for creating one’s own STEM extensions for literature along with examples.
30-35 min: Share problems the STEM library solves.
35-55 min: Allow time for attendees to use the digital template provided to create their own STEM extension for a preferred story that could be turned into a STEM backpack. Group will be moved to ask to sit near peers in similar grades. K/1 teachers together, 2/3, etc. Coaches and administrators will be asked to join a group they would most like to support and engage with. The template will be a shared document so everyone can walk away with the resources the group has created.
55-60 min: Wrap-up, questions and comments.
***Times will be adjusted based on approval of specific presentation mode.
The Case for STEM Education: Challenges and Opportunities, by Rodger W. Bybee
Promoting Literacy-Embedded, Authentic STEM Instruction for Students with Disabilities and Other Struggling Learners, by Maya Israel, Kathie Maynard, and Pamela Williamson
Reading, Writing and Relevancy: Integrating 3R's into STEM, by Shirley Lafever-Davis and Cathy J. Pearman
The Role of Language Arts in a Successful STEM Education Program by George DeBoer, Elaine Carman, and Christopher Lazzaro
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