National Science Week runs from 13-21 August this year, and is an Australia-wide event for parents, carers, educators and librarians to celebrate all things science, technology and engineering. For young kids and students, get inspired with Story Box Library and discover a range of stories, activities and educational resources.

Stories in our digital collection are accompanied by Activity Time - fun and engaging tasks which children can complete after watching the story read, whether at school, the library or home. Activity Time instructions can be downloaded and shared with students or library patrons to complete at home or incorporated into library-run programs. Find Activity Time previews below, and encourage kids to make their own arty and scientific creations! Instructions can be found via the ‘Activities’ tab on each story page. 

Stories for National Science Week

The Windy Farm

The Windy Farm is by one of Australia's best and funniest writer/illustrator teams - Doug MacLeod and Craig Smith. Get ready to giggle as much-loved Channel Nine newsreader, Peter Hitchener, shares this humorous and entertaining story that will have kids looking at wind power (and dunnies!) in a whole new way.

Stellarphant

Stella wants to be an astronaut. There is only one problem: Stella is an elephant. But where there’s a will, there’s a way and Stella is determined to reach for the stars. Stellarphant is created by James Foley and read by Jillian Nguyen. Shortlisted in CBCA’s Book of the Year 2022, Picture Book of the Year category.

This Small Blue Dot

With a strong message of interconnectedness, hope and empowerment, This Small Blue Dot follows a little girl exploring the big and small things in life. Written and illustrated by Zeno Sworder and read by Alice Pung, for Melbourne Writers Festival.

Do Not Lick This Book

Min is a microbe. She is small. Very small. In fact so small that you'd need to look through a microscope to see her. Do Not Lick This Book is the perfect story for anyone who wants to take a closer look at the world, written by Idan Ben-Barak, illustrated by Julian Frost and read by Osher Günsberg. 

Moonwalkers

Dream astronaut dreams and celebrate Australia's role in the moon landing of 1969!

Moonwalkers is a story of joy, imagination and adventure, from the brilliant minds of author Mark Greenwood and illustrator Terry Denton. Read by Lucas Taylor at the Melbourne Observatory, Moonwalkers allows viewers to get lost in space, as if looking through their very own telescope.

Learn more about space and the Melbourne Observatory with Lucas two-part interview with Melbourne Observatory Demonstrator Russell Cockman.

Explore more science themed stories on Story Box Library here.

Unit of Work: STEM

Educators can use our dedicated STEM themed Unit of Work for practical and hands-on learning opportunities for students of all ages.

The first release focuses on STEM learning outcomes for F-6 students, with a final activity involving students in a team construction challenge. STEM units designed to deliver practical and hands-on learning opportunities. These five lesson series that culminates in a fun final lesson that allows students to apply their knowledge in a team construction challenge.

  • F-2 unit is based around STRUCTURE

  • 3-6 unit is based around FORCE and MOTION

Download STEM Units of Work here.