Ready, set, read.
On National STEAM Day, Nov. 8, students throughout Orange County can launch their reading skills into another galaxy by joining the STEAM Race to Space Reading Challenge hosted by local nonprofit Timeless Learning Inc. in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education and 4Space.
From picture books that explore the solar system to novels introducing coding, students from kindergarten through high school can meet their reading goals while learning about science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics. Registration will open to teachers and parents online starting Friday, Nov. 1.
Young learners will discover new stories by selecting books from curated reading lists based on their grade level and track their progress over the three-week contest using the Beanstack app. The program encourages students to learn more about the world around them, sparking their curiosity and even future career interests along the way.
“Reading STEM-focused stories opens the doorway to endless worlds,” said Pat Burns, program founder. “It’s where knowledge empowers the reader and imagination blooms.”
Burns added that over the past three years, the challenge has given many students a unique opportunity to shine, especially those not involved in sports or clubs. One proud participant, for example, even framed his certificate as a reminder of his accomplishment.
“With this STEAM-focused reading challenge, it encourages and rewards students to read more than one story, and that opens new life and career possibilities, which they might not have ever imagined,” Burns said.
After the challenge wraps up on Nov. 30, each reader will receive a certificate recognizing their hard work. Students who go above and beyond by reading an additional 25 pages or logging an extra 30 minutes of reading time can earn tickets to win bonus prizes.
These dedicated readers will be celebrated at a January event, where they will receive special prize packages including trips to educational attractions like the Discovery Cube and meet-and-greets with well-known scientists. In December, the program will work alongside local school districts to distribute these prizes to students.
For the first time, classrooms that enter will also have a chance to win exclusive awards like an on-campus portable planetarium experience or a classroom pizza party with music and games.
Families who want to get their kids involved can sign up on the STEAM Race to Space Reading Challenge website, while teachers interested in registering their classes can find more information on the reading challenge resources page.