First Book Inspires a Love for STEM with Ford Motor Company Fund and 4-H Clubs

We at First Book have aimed to provide the educators and students we serve with the tools and resources they need to teach and learn STEM concepts. Earlier this month, we launched STEMtober – a month-long celebration of all things science, technology, engineering, and math – to better highlight new helpful resources to inspire a love and passion for STEM.

Alongside Ford Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, and 4-H, the American youth development organization, we’ve created opportunities for underserved students to participate in STEM projects, from building and racing vehicle models to learning and applying computer science skills.

Our partners at Ford recognize the importance of STEAM concepts in the classroom. Earlier this year, we came together with Ford, Ford dealers in Texas, and the Ford Fund to help introduce STEAM by distributing books and resources to over 200 Texas elementary students. Students put on their engineer hats and designed, built, tested, and raced their own racecar using the Thames & Kosmos Automobile Engineer Kit. Chief Customer Experience Officer Elena Ford and over 20 Ford volunteers helped the kids set up an engineering experiment. They built different cars from pieces provided in the kit, raced them, and discussed results of their experiment.

Groups gathered in the library to listen to the STEM-inspired story Rosie Revere, Engineer in English and Spanish.

Every child at the event received a copy of Rosie Revere, Engineer and Look, I’m a Scientist to take home to inspire them to dream big!

“[We] really need students to be engineers and learn about technology,” Elena Ford said. “We need young people to communicate technology. It starts when you’re young, and reading is an essential part of that. Books allow you to dream and to go places,” Elena Ford told the fourth-graders.

Books allow you to dream and to go places. Over 100 years ago my great, great grandfather put people on wheels. What I love about books is that they allow you to dream.”

Elena Ford, Chief Customer Experience Officer, Ford Motor Company

We’re also proud to partner with 4-H to support National Youth Science Day – a celebration aimed to provide access and opportunity for kids to learn about STEM topics by participating in hands-on STEM challenges.

For 2019, students will learn computer science skills, such as animation, decomposition, and automation with the Game Changers National Youth Science Day Kit. The kit is intended to act as a learning tool for students, parents, and teachers and encourage collaboration.

Thanks to the generosity of our partners National 4-H Council, The Game Changers National Youth Science Day Kit is available FREE (+ shipping & handling) on the First Book Marketplace!

We’ve seen how impactful STEM books, resources, and activities have had on our future leaders. We cannot wait to see how young, curious minds utilize the Game Changers kit in their National Youth Science Day celebrations!

We are so excited to continue reaching kids in need through STEM to unlock ways to expand their curiosity and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, inventors, and mathematicians.

If you’re an educator serving children in need, find these resources and more when you visit the STEAM section of the First Book Marketplace!