Reservations for Circulating STEAM kits are currently being accepted through August 2023. The majority of kits are already booked through that time, but to check availability and reserve kits, please visit the Circulating STEAM Kit LibGuide. Reservations for Fall 2023 and beyond will open in late summer/early fall 2023! Reservations can be made on our booking system at this link.
Looking for programs that you can run on your own, or want to share STEAM ideas with colleagues across the state? Check out gainingsteam.org, a project of the Washington State Library STEAM Advisory Group.
The Washington State Library recognizes that youth need hands on experiences to build confidence and interest in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM). Facilitation of informal STEAM learning engages youth in the scientific process and reinforces important 21st century skills.
Most kits are designed for 15 participants. There are some kits which will work with a larger audience. With the exception of consumable materials which the library itself must provide, everything that is necessary to put on a STEAM program is contained within the kits.
Only Washington State public, school, and tribal libraries are eligible to request that the kits visit their libraries. If more than two locations within a system or district wish to sign up, then the library system or school district needs to designate an individual to coordinate the kits’ movement among branches or schools.
The following kits are available for checkout from the Washington State Library. Visit the LibGuide for more information and for booking information.
Strawbees
The Strawbees construction kit provides over 4000 pieces enough for an entire classroom of students. Build a large cityscape, a large rollercoaster track for a ball to run through, a large pyramid structure taller than you, and create moving mechanical arms and claws. The Robotic Inventions board adds robotic capabilities to the Strawbees. The Robotics board includes 2 RGB LEDs and attaches up to 3 servo motors to any Strawbees building project. Microbits are included, but you will need to use classroom laptops or computers with USB ports to program the Microbits. Laptops/Computers are not included in this kit. You can use the straws/connectors without the robotics, or combine them for coding fun for older kids!
This kit includes:
- Straws of various sizes
- Connectors and idea cards
- Robotics with Microbits
- Trays for distributing pieces
- Access to the Strawbees curriculum with patterns, ideas, and instructions for use Strawbees Classroom Link (you will receive a login when you receive your kit)
Kits will stay at a library for three weeks then they must be sent to the next location. If you are hoping to send this kit between locations in your district using internal mail and need it for more than three weeks, please email [email protected] and we will see if we can accommodate your booking.
Cool Creations
Based on the book Cool Creations in 35 Pieces by Sean Kenney, this program challenges kids to see what can be built with the 35 Lego pieces contained in each box. Participants can build their creation based on a model or harness their creativity to design something new. There are fifteen total boxes in this kit.
Kits will stay at a library for three weeks then they must be sent to the next location.
Library systems can sign up for kits. Please let us know how many locations will be using the kit so that we can determine the appropriate check-out period.
Contact [email protected] for additional information.
Ozobot Bits and Ozobit Evo
These tiny robots (slightly larger than a quarter) are easy to program for beginners. After a short period of time kids can program their robots to race and dance. This kit is intended for kids ten and up. For programming ideas check out the Ozobot website.
The kits are intended to accommodate up to 15 kids and contain the following:
- iPads (6 standard size, 1 mini)
- 9 sets of Ozobots (18 total)
- 1 shipping container
Kits will stay at a library for three weeks then they must be sent to the next location.
Library systems can sign up for kits. Please let us know how many locations will be using the kit so that we can determine the appropriate check-out period.
Contact [email protected] for additional information.
Book Page Art
Transform an old book into a work of art. Follow a pattern or create your own folded book art design. Using a simple folding technique, measuring lengths and angles, participants will create images and patterns in the pages of books. This kit is best suited for tweens, teens or adults. For additional information, see the program planning guide.
Kits will stay at a library for three weeks then they must be sent to the next location.
Seal Skeleton
In this kit, patrons can explore a real seal skeleton! Made up of approximately 250 individual bones, this skeleton can be used however you imagine! Can you put it together 
like a puzzle? Compare the bones to human bones? Guess which bone goes where? This kit works well as a station in a program, as a fun passive activity to explore at the reference desk, or anything else you can think of!
Along with the skeleton, you'll get a copy of the book Pinniped Projects: Articulating Seal and Sea Lion Skeletons by Lee Post. This manual will tell you how this skeleton might have been prepared, how it goes together, and all about the anatomy of a seal!
Library systems can sign up for kits. Please let us know how many locations will be using the kit so that we can determine the appropriate check-out period.
Contact [email protected] for additional information.