What Is STEAM?
STEAM is short for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. STEAM activities and programs are an excellent opportunity to introduce concepts and promote skills that can set you up for creative, scientific, and collaborative thinking now and in the future. The New York Public Library offers lots of ways for kids and teens to explore STEAM concepts and develop their skills! Plus, you can borrow one of our five STEAM Discovery Kits—Engineering, Stargazing, Young Coders, Young Builders, and Sphero Robotics—from 40 branches across the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island.
STEAM Discovery Kits are available at the following locations:
Bronx: Allerton Library*, Baychester Library, Belmont Library and Enrico Fermi Cultural Center, Bronx Library Center*, Clason’s Point Library*, Eastchester Library, Edenwald Library, Francis Martin Library, High Bridge Library, Jerome Park Library, Kingsbridge Library*, Morrisania Library, Mosholu Library, Mott Haven Library, Parkchester Library, Soundview Library, Tremont Library, Westchester Square Library, West Farms Library, Wakefield Library, Woodstock Library*.
Manhattan: 96th Street Library, Aguilar Library, Bloomingdale Library*, Chatham Square Library, Countee Cullen Library, George Bruce Library, Grand Concourse Library, Hamilton Grange Library, Harlem Library*, Harry Belafonte 115th Street Library, Macomb's Bridge Library, Roosevelt Island Library, St. Agnes Library, Seward Park Library*, Tompkins Square Library, Washington Heights Library*.
Staten Island: Mariners Harbor Library, St. George Library Center*, Stapleton Library.
* Please note that Sphero Robotics Kits are only available to borrow at branches marked with an asterisk above. They are also available to explore in person at those branches!
If you want to check the availability of a particular kit, please call ahead to see what’s available.
Engineering Kits
Have you ever wondered why some buildings survive earthquakes, while others fall apart? Do you think you have what it takes to design a roller coaster track? Get ready to play, puzzle, tinker, and read as you explore answers to these engineering questions and more! Kit includes: Roller Coaster Challenge puzzle, Survive the Quake game, and two books.
Stargazing Kits
Have you ever wondered what craters on the moon look like? How about the tops of skyscrapers or faraway bridges? Get ready to observe and explore the world around (and above) you! Kit includes: Travel telescope and three books.
Young Coders Kits
By coding a robot puppy to move in different directions or guiding a family member through a maze, kids will practice real-world computer science skills such as decomposition and sequential thinking. Kit includes: Coding Critters robot set, Let’s Go Code game, and two books.
Young Builders Kits
In this kit, you'll find a 48-piece deluxe set of Magna-Tiles—one of our favorite playsets for supporting creative, open-ended play. Children can build tall towers, animals, art… anything they can imagine! Unstructured play with building sets helps kids grow problem-solving and design skills, and explore mathematical concepts. Kit includes: Magna-Tiles Deluxe building set and three books.
Sphero Robotics Kits
Take control of Sphero Mini—the amazing rolling robot—and guide Mini through mazes or to victory in a bowling game. Create challenges for Sphero using materials from home or the construction set items included. Use the iPad to steer Mini with a virtual joystick, or direct it to navigate puzzles using code! (Please note that the iPad included cannot be used for web browsing.) Kit includes: Sphero Mini robot and activity kit, iPad, and a six-book graphic novel series.
Back to School
Discover everything the Library has to offer kids this fall and all year round as New Yorkers head back to school.
STEAM at NYPL for Kids & Teens
Get ready to create, explore the natural world, and express yourself while developing your STEAM skills! From origami to coding games, discover the wide range of STEAM videos and activities the Library has to offer kids and teens.
Thank You
STEAM Discovery Kits are part of a partnership between The New York Public Library and Verizon.