Usborne STEM books
Usborne books on the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths) are fun and engaging introductions, with flaps to lift, and experiments, activities, puzzles and recommended websites.
STEM in the classroom is about using science and maths to design, test and build solutions to problems in our technological world, and engineering is the practical application of these skills. STEM qualifications are needed for employment in a wide range of subjects including coding and game design, environmental studies, medical sciences, development of new materials, space exploration, robotics and much, much more.
Scroll down to see our STEM books or download two STEM activity sheets.
Investigate STEM subjects at Usborne Quicklinks
Visit Usborne Quicklinks to find recommended links for online challenges, video clips and activities to try at home for the STEM subjects.
Science books
A knowledge of the basic principles of science is essential in our modern world, and our award-winning science books help children discover the latest information with engaging lift-the-flap and question and answer books. Browse all science books.
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Usborne science encyclopedia with QR links -
Science scribble book -
Lift-the-flap periodic table -
100 things to know about space -
The Usborne Official Astronaut's Handbook -
365 science activities -
What's science all about? -
Lift-the-flap questions and answers about space -
Look inside science -
Lift-the-flap questions and answers about science
I was surprised to learn so much from this book. What I really like about it is that it’s full of unexpected things, it doesn’t shy away from discussing even some of the big questions that we don’t know the answers to just yet. Royal Society Young People's Book Prize judges on 100 Things to Know About Space
Technology books
The children of today will be inventing the technology of the future – and maybe even travelling in self-driving cars and visiting the Moon. Many of them will have been inspired by the books they read as children, including perhaps, some of the following. Browse all technology books.
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Look inside how things work -
Coding for beginners using Python -
Coding for beginners using Scratch -
Drones -
Look inside how computers work -
Artificial intelligence -
Big book of rockets and spacecraft -
Build your own spaceships sticker book -
See inside inventions -
The story of toilets, telephones and other useful inventions -
Robots sticker book
Brings a really difficult topic to a level children can master. LoveReading4Kids review of Lift-the-flap computers and coding
Engineering books
Engineering doesn't just mean construction and hard hats – it's a highly creative field with opportunities to improve people's lives in all kinds of different ways, from the food we eat, to medicines and sports technology. Look out for more books coming soon from Usborne on this exciting subject. Browse all engineering books.
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See inside bridges, towers and tunnels -
Lift-the-flap engineering -
Engineering scribble book -
Look inside how things work -
See inside how things work -
Lift-the-flap measuring things -
See inside space stations and other spacecraft -
Lift-the-flap computers and coding -
100 things to know about food -
See inside energy -
Look inside trains -
Build your own planes sticker book -
Look inside things that go -
See inside trains -
Look inside an airport -
Look inside cars -
See inside ships -
Look inside building sites
Think Like an Engineer activity booklet
Find out what it takes to be an awesome engineer in this free online activity booklet, filled with problems to solve, things to create and links to websites to find out more.
Maths books
Introduce children to essential maths concepts, including fractions, decimals, times tables and percentages, with these fun and interactive lift-the-flap and activity books. Browse all maths books.
The focus is on applying maths to everyday functions and the full colour pages are cheerfully illustrated with small figures busily engaged in a variety of activities. Guardian Education on See Inside Maths
Science museum activity
Science museums are full of demonstrations, hands-on experiments and interactive exhibits. Try this activity sheet for a taster! Download.
Accidental inventions
Follow the lines to read the strange stories behind some inventions, then make your own gloopy substance. Download.
More about STEM
The acronym STEM was first used in the US about 20 years ago, when it was recognised that jobs requiring STEM subjects were growing faster than non-STEM jobs and that there was a skills gap in these subjects. Since then, national curriculums in English-speaking countries have been working to improve the uptake of STEM subjects to ensure school leavers are equipped with the necessary skills for the economies of the future.
