Mapping to MN State Standards
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The resources on this page have been selected by eLibraryMN and Minnesota Digital Library librarians and curators to support the MN English Language Arts and the Social Studies standards, both current and pending, specifically related to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) topics, that are relevant to students. Resources in eLibraryMN and EbooksMN have unlimited simultaneous user access and are freely available to anyone geolocated in Minnesota. The primary source resources detailed are available to all, regardless of location.
Please reach out with questions or suggestions about linking to, using, or sharing these resources.
Academic Research
Below is a collection of available topic overviews that link to many related articles and resources within ELM.
Britannica: What is Science and the scientific method?
The scientific method is the process scientists follow to solve problems. Scientists spend much of their time conducting experiments and carefully recording, analyzing, and evaluating the data from experiments. If the data does not support a hypothesis, scientists must form a new hypothesis and conduct new experiments. When the data supports a hypothesis, scientists share their results with other scientists.
Britannica Middle has an extensive breakdown of Science Topics:
Pebble Go Animals
The animal behavior, classification, and habitats sections of the Animals module in PebbleGo will introduce your young learners to a more scientific approach to studying animals.
Ebsco Science is a great starting point for finding age-approrpriate articles, ebooks, and worksheets that you can use for instruction.
Ebsco Practicing Science: When students are starting to learn to think like scientists, this EBSCO Explora Kids center on Practicing Science is a great starting point.
Ebooks
This is a curated group of fiction and nonfiction ebooks, Grade Interest Level K-8. All titles are available to students geolocated in MN without login. Linking directly to chapters is also possible. To link directly to the titles and share in your LMS or libguides, copy the link to the title(s) you want from our persistent link spreadsheet (if you are not accessing through the MackinVia app). Reach out to us with questions about linking.
Enhancing engineering Describes the importance of the field of engineering, and the different career choices within the four main branches of the field. Also illustrates each step of the engineering design process, and discusses what the future of the field looks like. Includes color photographs, a glossary, and further resources.
All about Earth : exploring the planet with science projects Explores the basics of Earth science. Features step-by-step instructions for science experiments related to each topic. Includes a glossary, resources for further information, and color photographs.
Dynamic planet : exploring changes on Earth with science projects Offers seven step-by-step experiments exploring physical changes on Earth such as plate tectonics, erosion, the greenhouse effect, and glaciers. Includes color photographs, a glossary, and further resources.
Unusual and awesome jobs using technology : roller coaster designer, space robotics engineer, and more Presents information on jobs available to individuals interested in working with technology including video game designer, software developer, and wind turbine technician.
Primary Sources
Resources below are recommended by MDL curators from partners in primary source history.
These students conducted experiments in the chemistry lab at Detroit High School in 1898-1899.
The physics laboratory at Winona Normal School included a variety of tools and equipment to measure and observe the science of matter, motion, and energy.
Engineering drawing for Duluth bridge
Claude Turner designed the bridge over Duluth’s ship canal with a suspended transfer car rather than a driving surface.
Pharmacy students in a greenhouse
Edna Newhouse Jackson and Rose Holec Layne transplanted seedlings in a Medicinal Plant Laboratory while studying to be pharmacists.
Geology of the Metropolitan Area
This geological map illustrates the different types of glacial deposits in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area alongside familiar landmarks.
This student was pictured looking through her microscope at Bethel University in the mid-twentieth century.
Elementary school science lesson
These elementary school children performed a physics experiment with their teacher at St. Vincent’s Grade School.
These chiropractic students worked together in a chemistry lab at the Northwestern Health Sciences University.
St. Cloud State University hosted a Math Contest in the late 1970s, and these contestants were busy solving problems.
Nursing student in a laboratory
Nursing students at Bethel University also learned hands-on science at the school laboratories.
Interlibrary Loan/Resource Sharing
For in depth research into these topics, sometimes you need to request materials from other libraries. These can be digital or they can sometimes be printed books. There are two main options for requesting these materials. One, MNLINK, allows you to search all Minnesota libraries for the requires the use of a public library card and PIN. While many educators use their own library card to help students, it is recommended that students use their own. However, this is not always possible, so there is a second option: Minitex Resource sharing for schools. This allows one staff member per school to request items on behalf of students and have the items sent directly to the school building. If you have questions about which option is better for you and your students, reach out to us and we can help.