Watch the full interview on YouTube »
On the latest episode of Nonfiction Kid Lit Craft Conversations, I sat down with Emily Starr, founder of Starrmatica, to talk about what’s really happening in today’s elementary science classrooms—and how authors can help nurture curiosity through nonfiction books. Emily, a former fourth-grade teacher turned science education leader, has spent the past two decades helping teachers bring science to life with engaging, inquiry-based resources.
She’s also the creator of over 700 nonfiction picture book guides that support teachers in integrating books into science curriculum—making her a go-to resource for anyone writing STEM books for kids.
Why Elementary Science Matters
Early on, Emily set the stage with sobering data: in the most recent NAEP science assessment, fewer than a third of U.S. students scored proficient in science, and only 33% said they looked forward to science class. Even more concerning, students’ interest in science decreases as they move through school.
“That just breaks my heart,” Emily shared, noting that research clearly shows children’s natural curiosity is often squashed rather than encouraged in elementary school. Misconceptions—like the sun revolving around the Earth—take root early and are notoriously difficult to undo (04:57). That’s why, she emphasized, “elementary science is where we either ignite or extinguish that spark.”
What Classrooms Look Like Today
One of the biggest hurdles is time. On average, elementary students receive only about 20 minutes of science per day, often alternating with social studies. These subjects frequently get cut when schedules run long (07:19).
Equally important is how science is taught. While some classrooms still rely on “cool” but disconnected experiments, others are shifting toward phenomena-based, inquiry-driven lessons that encourage students to ask “how” and “why” questions and to “be” scientists. This shift aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), which emphasize figuring things out over memorizing facts.
How Authors Can Help
For nonfiction authors, Emily stressed that picture books are perfect tools for teachers who have small pockets of discretionary time during the day (13:35). A well-chosen STEM book can spark conversation during morning meetings, transitions, or read-aloud time.
When asked what makes a great STEM picture book for classrooms, Emily pointed to several features:
- Biographies that model scientific practices—showing real scientists asking questions, persevering, and making discoveries.
- Opportunities for data analysis—whether through illustrations, maps, or supplemental guides.
- Rich back matter—which gives teachers springboards for lessons beyond the main text.
- Engaging structures and storytelling techniques—like compare-and-contrast, mystery-driven openings, or page turns that allow students to make predictions
She cited books like The Fire of Stars by Kirsten W. Larson (modeling questioning), The Mystery of the Monarchs by Barb Rosenstock (data interpretation), and What’s in Your Pocket? by Heather Montgomery (celebrating natural curiosity) as strong examples (15:40).
Writing to Nurture Inquiry
Emily encouraged authors to think about where their books might fit in a lesson sequence:
- At the beginning, to spark wonder (Except Antarctica by Todd Sturgell).
- During the middle, to deliver core information (DK’s browsable titles).
- At the end, to connect learning to real-world implications and to answer why this topic matters (Lights Out by Jessica Stremer).
This approach ensures we don’t read books that “give it all away” too soon and rob kids of the fun of figuring things out on their own (19:25).
A Final Word for Authors
Emily closed with encouragement: “Your work is impacting children for the rest of their lives” (31:57). She reminded authors that read-alouds happen not only in classrooms, but in cars, waiting rooms, and living rooms—wherever kids have books in their hands.
Her debut middle grade nonfiction book, Dig In, releases March 2026 from the Iowa Ag Literacy Foundation, and she’s also launching a KidLit Science Webinar Series to help authors connect their manuscripts and curriculum guides to NGSS and classroom needs. Recordings are available for purchase if you missed them live.
If you’re writing nonfiction for kids, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiration. Watch the full conversation here >>
