The Illinois PTA Local Unit Advocacy Toolkit wasn’t the only thing making its debut at the Illinois PTA Convention and Advocacy Conference. Illinois PTA also released the Family STEAM Book, a collection of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) activities for K-5 students that families can do at home or PTAs can use for a Family STEAM Night event. The Family STEAM Book was created by Illinois PTA and the Illinois State University Classrooms in Action team.

All of the activities in the Family STEAM Book can be done with items found around the house or readily available at the grocery store. Each activity lists the materials needed, instructions on how to do the activity, questions to ask while doing the activity, and suggested books for additional reading for grades K-2 and 3-5. You’ll also find a list of the best STEM books chosen by the National Science Teachers Association for grades K-12 and links to other online resources for interactive tools and additional activities at the back of the Family STEAM Book.

If your PTA is looking for ideas for a Family STEAM Night, be sure to check out the Family STEAM Book as well as National PTA’s STEM + Families program. Fun hands-on activities engage kids’ natural interest in understanding the world around them and can lead to pursuing a career in science and technology. Download the Family STEAM book and get started today.