STEAM Library Workshop Series (Ages 5–10) for 2026
January : Discover the Elements: An Introduction to the Periodic Table – NEW
● Recommended ages: 7-12
● Science Lab: Explore some common elements (scavenger hunt) and what they are used for
● Art Project: Create an “element collage” using symbols, colors, and periodic table data
● STEAM Focus: Chemistry, observation, classification
● Children’s Literature Connections: “The Elements in the Room” by Mike Barfield or “Ada Twist, Scientist* by Andrea Beatyv, as well as non-fiction such as “The Periodic Table” by DK and “Elements” by DK
January : Animal Adaptations – NEW
● Recommended ages: 5-10
● Science Labs: Study the paw prints (plaster casts) of a variety of animals to compare/contrast them
● Science Lab: Study the x-rays of different animals to compare/contrast them
● Art Project: Human Hand Skeleton Diagram
● Children’s Literature Connections: “Dem Bones”, “What do you do with a tail like this?” by Steve Jenkins
February: The Science of the Heart (Valentine’s Day) – NEW
● Recommended age: 5-10
● Science Lab: Measure heart rate before and after movement; explore circulation with models and use a stethoscope to listen to the heart beat; observe a real sheep’s heart.
● Art Project: heart- themed anatomy art painting (scientific diagram)
● STEAM Focus:Biology, health science
● Childlren’s Literature Connection: The Busy Body Book by Lizzy Rockwell or “Hear Your Heart* by Paul Showers
February: Celebrating Black History Month: African American Scientists & Inventors
● Recommended age: 5-12
● Science Labs: Launch a Rocket in the Spirit of Astronaut Mae Jamison and Germinate a Seed in the spirit of George Washington Carver
● Art Project: Andy Worhol-inspired portrait collage of African American Scientists
● STEAM Focus: Representation, scientific contributions, history
● Children’s Literature Connection: “Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race.”
February: Lunar New Year – REVISED
Note: This theme varies by year as per the zodiac calendar; 2026: Year of the Horse
● Recommended age: 5-12
● Science Lab: The Animals of the Zodiac Calendar (astronomy, astrology, and mythology)
● Art Project: Paint a stylized horse in oil pastel and watercolor resist (2026)
● STEAM Focus: Culture, astronomy, mythology
● Children’s Literature Connection: “Bringing In the New Year* by Grace Lin or “Moon! Earth’s Best Friend” by Stacy McAnulty. Other recommended books here
April: Earth Day: Wormology & Composting
● Recommended age: 5-10
● Science Lab: Explore the anatomy of worms and their role in decomposition
● Art Project: Make a clay sculpture model of an earthworm
● STEAM Focus: Ecology, sustainability
● Literature Connection: “Compost Stew- An A to Z Recipe Book for the Earth” by Mary McKenna Siddals or “Wiggling Worms at Work” by Wendy Pfeffer.
April: Earth Day: Save the Monarchs!
● Recommended age: 5-10
● Science Lab: Monarch Populations, life cycle and migrations
● Art Project: Decorate a monarch butterfly and label the parts
● STEAM Focus: Biology, conservation
● Literature Connections: “Hello Little One- A Monarch Butterfly Story” by Zeena M. Pliska, or “Monarch Butterflies” by Ann Hobie. Monarch Butterfly* by Gail Gibbons. Additional books here.
May: Mother’s Day Card: Native California Wildflowers & flower Science – NEW
● Recommended age; 5-10
● Science Lab: Flower dissection and learn the parts of a flower
● Art Project: Handmade Mother’s Day card showing a native CA wildflower
● STEAM Focus: Botany, environmental stewardship
● Chidren’s Literature: The Tiny Seed* by Eric Carle, or “Planting a Rainbow* by Lois Ehlert
May: Fabulous Fossils
● Recommended age: 5-10
● Science lab: Observe real fossils and classify them using picture cards
● Art Project: Make a clay model of a trace fossil
● STEAM Focus: Geology, Paleontology
● Children’s Literature: Fossils Tell of Long Ago by Aliki, or “Stone Girl Bone Girl* by Laurence Anholt
June: Optical Illusions and Op Art – NEW
● Recommended age: 7-12
● Science Lab: Blow your mind by doing mini experiments exploring how your eyes and brain interpret images
● Art Project: Op Art designs using patterns and contrast and fun optical illusions
● STEAM Focus: Neuroscience, visual perception, art
● Children’s Literature: Seeing Is Not Believing* by Vicki Cobb, or “The Dot* by Peter H. Reynolds
June: Lil Engineers – NEW
● Recommended age: 4-6
● Science Lab: Use jumbo lego-style toys to build cars or planes. These snap on pieces are easy to use and are wonderful for creative building.
● Art Project: create a 3D model of a car to test
● STEAM Focus: engineering, science
● Children’s Literature: See list
July: Independence Day- The Chemistry of Fireworks – NEW
● Recommended age: 7-12
● Science Lab: Learn about the chemistry of fireworks (alkaline earth metals and combustion reactions)
● Art Project: Firework art project over cityscape
● STEAM Focus: Chemistry, physical science
● Children’s Literature: “On the Fourth of July” by Maggie Rudd
August: Kitchen Chemistry: Science You Can Eat – NEW
● Recommended age: 7-12
● Science Lab: Simple chemical reactions using common kitchen ingredients, to include reactions and cabbage juice chemistry.
● Video: The chemical reactions of baking a chocolate chip cookie
● Art Project: Illustrated cookie recipe
● STEAM Focus: Chemistry, real-world science
September: Owl’s Lunch: Owl Pellet Dissection
● Recommended age: 7-12
● Science Lab: Owl pellet dissection and bone identification
● Puppet Show: Coughing up an owl pellet
● Art Project: Owl Craft
● STEAM Focus: Biology, ecosystems (predator-prey relationships, animal adaptations)
● Children’s Literature: “Owl Babies”
October: Indigenous Peoples Day: Ohlone & Muwekma Stewardship – NEW
● Recommended age: 5-12
● Science Lab: Learn about native plants uses, tools, and sustainable practices like cultural burning
● Art Project: Decorate and play the game of staves (Ohlone)
● STEAM Focus: Environmental science, cultural knowledge
October: Spooky Halloween Science
● Recommended age: 5-12
● Science Lab: Slime polymer chemistry (Ogre boogers) and Witches’ brew (vinegar and baking soda0
● Art Project: Halloween-themed science craft
● STEAM Focus: Chemistry, physical science
● Children’s Literature: “Room on the Broom!”, “Dem Bones”,”5 Little Pumpkins”, etc.
November: Día de los Muertos – REVISED
● Recommended age: 5-12
● Science Lab: Monarch butterflies and their migration, and other symbols for the Dia De Los Muertos holiday
● Art Project: Sugar-skull art painting
● STEAM Focus:Biology, cultural science connections
● Children’s Literatue: “Our Day of the Dead Celebration” by Ana Aranda or “I remember Abuelito: A Day of the Dead Story. More books here
December: Solstices & Equinoxes: Why Do Seasons Change? – NEW
● Science Lab: Earth-sun model and light angle exploration
● Art Project: Shadow art
● STEAM Focus: Astronomy, Earth science
● Chilldren’s Literature: “The Summer Solstice” and “The Winter Solstice”. More books here