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STEAM Makers - Book Cover
Updated Edition of Bestseller

STEAM Makers

Fostering Creativity and Innovation in the Elementary Classroom
Second Edition

STEAM Makers provides educators with fresh approaches to cultivating students’ curiosity, innovation, and discovery skills.

Full description

STEAM Makers - Book Cover
Product Details
  • Grade Level: PreK-5
  • ISBN: 9781071981078
  • Published By: Corwin
  • Year: 2025
  • Page Count: 184
  • Publication date: October 28, 2025
Price: $32.95

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Review copies may be requested by individuals planning to purchase 10 or more copies for a team or considering a book for adoption in a higher ed course. Request review copy

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Description

Description

Empower creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking in your classroom!

As STEAM and Making become essential components of fostering student readiness for career, college, and beyond, this new edition of STEAM Makers offers innovative ways to integrate creativity, technology, and hands-on problem-solving into daily practice.

With a renewed focus on emerging technologies, environmental sustainability, and a global perspective, STEAM Makers provides educators with fresh approaches to cultivating students’ curiosity, innovation, and discovery skills. Readers will gain actionable strategies, from designing student-centered makerspaces to connecting with local and global partners, and learn from inspiring success stories from classrooms worldwide. This updated resource includes:

  • Case studies, vignettes, and photographs of projects
  • Practical and ready-to-use activities and STEAM Maker Starters
  • Integration of emerging technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence to foster 21st-century skills
  • An expanded focus on ensuring equitable and inclusive opportunities for all

With STEAM Makers, educators will gain the tools to inspire meaningful learning experiences that drive curiosity, creativity, and engagement. By fostering a mindset of exploration and design, educators can empower their students to thrive in the classroom and beyond.


Key features

  • Charts, checklists, and other visuals provide guidance to readers
  • Photos allow readers to truly see these exciting programs in action
  • Helpful text features include “Key Ideas,” which summarize each chapter and “Expanding Your Thinking,” which provides readers with reflection questions that are ideal for professional development
  • Graphic organizers and side bars help clarify concepts
  • Chapters include more than 90 QR codes linking to relevant web resources for readers including technology components that can be used to enhance STEAM and Making programming

Author(s)

Author(s)

Jacie Maslyk photo

Jacie Maslyk

Jacie Maslyk, EdD, has served in public education over the past twenty-eight years. During that time, she has served in many roles. As a classroom teacher and reading specialist, she worked in both inner city and suburban school districts. She served as an elementary school principal and director of elementary education for ten years, with extensive experience in curriculum, assessment, and instruction. A successful school leader, she was recognized as a National Distinguished Principal finalist in Pennsylvania in 2013 and 2014. Dr, Maslyk worked in district administration as an Assistant Superintendent before moving into her current role as an instructional coach and educational consultant, supporting schools through professional learning and job-embedded coaching. She provides workshops (on-site and virtual), model lessons, and curriculum support to school districts and educational organizations across the country.

In addition to STEAM Makers: Fostering Creativity and Innovation in the Elementary Classroom, Jacie has also published Connect to Lead: Power Up Your Learning Network to Move Your School Forward, Remaking Literacy: Innovative Instructional Strategies for Maker Learning, Unlock Creativity: Opening a World of Imagination With Your Students, and All In: Taking a Gamble in Education.

Connect with Jacie on Bluesky @jaciemaslyk.bsky.social, X @DrJacieMaslyk, Instagram @jaciemaslyk or email her at jaciemaslyk@gmail.com

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Wonder

History of STEM

History of STEM

Adding the A

Left Brain Versus Right Brain

The Maker Movement

5 Pillars of STEAM and Maker Education

What Does Making Look Like in Schools?

Build Curiosity and Wonder

The Mindset

Why Is This Important?

But What About State Testing and the Common Core?

Next Generation Science Standards

Expanding the Standards

What Does It Mean to Be Creative in a Standards-Based System?

Try It Checklist

Expanding Your Thinking

Chapter 2. Thrive

District Leadership

Principal Leadership

Change Makers

Parents and Community

Social Media Makers

Game Makers

Creating Opportunities for Learners to Thrive

A Thriving STEAM Maker Ecosystem

Helping Learners to Thrive

Summary

Expanding Your Thinking

Chapter 3. Adapt

How Should K–12 Engineering Be Taught?

Engineering Design Process

Habits of Mind

Creativity in Design

All Inclusive

The Impact of AI on STEAM and Making

Adapting Our Approach

Summary

Expanding Your Thinking

Chapter 4. Connect

STEAM Maker Teaching

Literature Connections

Speaking, Listening, and Thinking Connections

Summary

Expanding Your Thinking

Chapter 5. Invite

Inviting the Outside In

Inviting Collaboration

An Open Invitation

An Open Invitation

Activities That Invite Learners In

Inviting Learners Into the Space

A Global Invitation to Create

Summary

Expanding Your Thinking

Chapter 6. Partner

Remake Learning

A Learning Ecosystem

Connect With Your Local Community

Partner on a Local Project

Connect to Local Experts

Establish Corporate Partners

Exploring Partners in Higher Education

Friends and Neighbors as Partners

Connect With a Global Community

Summary

Expanding Your Thinking

Chapter 7. Expand

Growing People and Programs

Expanding Materials and Resources

Expand Your Programs Through Grants

Summary

Reviews

Reviews

Quote by Jennifer Casa-Todd, Faculty Lecturer, Lakehead University, Ontario: "In the new edition of STEAM Makers, Maslyk shows us how we can bring in curiosity, creativity, problem-solving, self-directed learning, and a failure mindset into our classrooms and schools while addressing curriculum standards and literacy skills. The book provides everything you need to get started or level up your existing STEAM practices. As a former teacher-librarian, I also really appreciated the comprehensive ideas around children's books, which can be used to set the stage for projects, and also how libraries can support teachers on their journey. STEAM Makers centers student choice and voice with the educator as amplifier and facilitator and lists ideas for community involvement, all of which are necessary in a world where information can be accessed so easily. This book is a must-read!"
"In the new edition of STEAM Makers, Maslyk shows us how we can bring in curiosity, creativity, problem-solving, self-directed learning, and a failure mindset into our classrooms and schools while addressing curriculum standards and literacy skills. The book provides everything you need to get started or level up your existing STEAM practices. As a former teacher-librarian, I also really appreciated the comprehensive ideas around children's books, which can be used to set the stage for projects, and also how libraries can support teachers on their journey. STEAM Makers centers student choice and voice with the educator as amplifier and facilitator and lists ideas for community involvement, all of which are necessary in a world where information can be accessed so easily. This book is a must-read!"
Jennifer Casa-Todd
Faculty Lecturer, Lakehead University, Ontario
Quote by Sean Gaillard, Principal, Charles England Elementary School, NC: "The insightful brilliance of Jacie Maslyk returns in an inspiring, updated edition of STEAM Makers. Just as STEAM evolves and sparks continuous growth, Jacie expands her vision, serving as both mentor and motivator for educators seeking innovative ways to ignite learning. Far beyond a how-to manual, this book vibrantly pulses with actionable ideas and heartfelt wisdom, encouraging a culture of creativity, collaboration, and curiosity. As a principal and educator, I found myself continually inspired, nodding along to Jacie’s passionate, crackling prose. Truly, this new edition is an essential anthem for anyone eager to amplify innovation in the schoolhouse through the powerful lens of STEAM."
"The insightful brilliance of Jacie Maslyk returns in an inspiring, updated edition of STEAM Makers. Just as STEAM evolves and sparks continuous growth, Jacie expands her vision, serving as both mentor and motivator for educators seeking innovative ways to ignite learning. Far beyond a how-to manual, this book vibrantly pulses with actionable ideas and heartfelt wisdom, encouraging a culture of creativity, collaboration, and curiosity. As a principal and educator, I found myself continually inspired, nodding along to Jacie’s passionate, crackling prose. Truly, this new edition is an essential anthem for anyone eager to amplify innovation in the schoolhouse through the powerful lens of STEAM."
Sean Gaillard
Principal, Charles England Elementary School, NC
Quote by Sarah Thomas, PhD, Founder, EduMatch: "In the second edition of STEAM Makers, Dr. Jacie Maslyk uplifts the power of creativity, innovation, and authentic learning experiences for each of our students. This resource amplifies what’s possible when we foster curiosity, student agency, and real-world problem-solving. Jacie’s work is a true celebration of community-driven, transformative education—and a must-have for educators who believe in empowering learners to lead the future."
"In the second edition of STEAM Makers, Dr. Jacie Maslyk uplifts the power of creativity, innovation, and authentic learning experiences for each of our students. This resource amplifies what’s possible when we foster curiosity, student agency, and real-world problem-solving. Jacie’s work is a true celebration of community-driven, transformative education—and a must-have for educators who believe in empowering learners to lead the future."
Sarah Thomas, PhD
Founder, EduMatch
Quote by Jennifer Womble, Chair of Future of Education Technology Conference/District Administration, FL:

“STEAM Makers is more than a book—it’s a blueprint for reimagining learning. It empowers teachers, librarians, and school leaders to design inclusive spaces where creativity thrives and student voice leads the way. Whether you're launching a makerspace, designing hands-on PD, or connecting curriculum to global goals, this guide offers practical tools and powerful inspiration. It helps cultivate the kind of curiosity and innovation today’s students need to become tomorrow’s changemakers!”

“STEAM Makers is more than a book—it’s a blueprint for reimagining learning. It empowers teachers, librarians, and school leaders to design inclusive spaces where creativity thrives and student voice leads the way. Whether you're launching a makerspace, designing hands-on PD, or connecting curriculum to global goals, this guide offers practical tools and powerful inspiration. It helps cultivate the kind of curiosity and innovation today’s students need to become tomorrow’s changemakers!”

Jennifer Womble
Chair of Future of Education Technology Conference/District Administration, FL
Quote by Chris Woods, Teacher, DailySTEM: "This is a great book for any educator looking to add more STEM to their classroom. It's filled with quick ideas and guiding principles, and the included profiles of STEAM leaders are terrific examples of what to aspire to as a STEAM Maker."
"This is a great book for any educator looking to add more STEM to their classroom. It's filled with quick ideas and guiding principles, and the included profiles of STEAM leaders are terrific examples of what to aspire to as a STEAM Maker."
Chris Woods
Teacher, DailySTEM
    Price: $32.95

    Review Copies

    Review copies may be requested by individuals planning to purchase 10 or more copies for a team or considering a book for adoption in a higher ed course. Request review copy


    Other Titles in: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) | Classroom Applications of Technology | 21st Century Learning