Reading Challenge Resources

Help readers get ready, stay on track, and keep the S.T.E.A.M. Race to Space momentum going throughout the challenge.

Find what you need

Start with a Song

Every great journey begins with a book — and maybe a catchy theme song, too.

Play the S.T.E.A.M. Race to Space theme song, then find suggested books for the challenge.

Listen to the song

Play the theme song video to spark excitement for younger readers. (2 min. 25 sec.)

S.T.E.A.M. Book Recommendations

Explore suggested S.T.E.A.M.-themed books for each age group. Readers may choose recommendations from any age group that fits their reading needs.

Prizes are awarded based on the reader's age category.

Beanstack Help & FAQs

Registration opens September 4, 2026. During the challenge, readers use Beanstack, an online platform, to track reading and submit virtual tickets.

Use the links and FAQs below for help accessing Beanstack, logging reading, and submitting virtual tickets.

Visit the Challenge's Beanstack Page

Starting September 4, register on Beanstack. Once the challenge begins, log reading and submit virtual tickets.

Go to Our Beanstack Page

Download the Beanstack Mobile App

Download the mobile app and search for the challenge when registration opens on September 4.

Get the Beanstack Mobile App

Getting Started

  • How do I find the Reading Challenge in the Beanstack mobile app?

    Open the Beanstack mobile app and search for the Reading Challenge site.


    1. Tap Find your school or library.
    2. Search for readsteam.
    3. Select S.T.E.A.M. Race to Space Reading Challenge.
  • Can students register with a school email address?

    We strongly recommend using a personal or parent/guardian email address, since many school email systems block outside messages.


    If a student needs to register with a school email address, please include a phone number in the Beanstack registration. Without another way to contact the student or family, the student may miss important challenge notifications. If selected for a bonus drawing, they may miss the notification and lose the opportunity to claim the prize.

  • I already have a Beanstack account through my library or school. Can I use it for this challenge?

    No. You will need to create an account specifically for the S.T.E.A.M. Race to Space Reading Challenge.


    For help finding the challenge, see the FAQ: How do I find the Reading Challenge in the Beanstack mobile app?

  • Can I switch between my library/school Beanstack account and this challenge?

    Yes. In the Beanstack mobile app, you can add another account and switch between accounts. 


    To add the Reading Challenge account:

    1. Log in to the Beanstack mobile app.
    2. Tap the Settings gear icon in the top right corner of the screen.
    3. On the Settings screen, select Account.
    4. Tap Add Account.
    5. Choose Find your school or library to search for and select the correct site, such as readsteam.
    6. Sign in to an existing account or create an account on that Beanstack site.

    To switch between connected accounts:

    1. Tap your reader icon in the top right corner of the screen.
    2. Next to the account name, select Change.
    3. In the pop-up window, choose the account you want to use.

During the Challenge

  • How do I log my reading?

    You can log your reading through the Beanstack website or mobile app.


    Website


    1. Log in to your Beanstack account you used to register for the Reading Challenge.
    2. In the upper left corner, click Log Reading and select a log type: Log Minutes or Log Pages, depending on your reading category.
    3. On the calendar, select the date you need to record your reading.
    4. Fill in the required fields.
    5. When you're done, click Log Reading.

    Mobile App


    1. Log in to your Beanstack account you used to register for the Reading Challenge.
    2. Tap the blue add button at the bottom of the screen.
    3. Select Reading.
    4. Enter a book title or tap Log Without a Title.
    5. Select the day you need to record your reading. Tap Change to change the date.
    6. Fill in the minutes or pages, depending on your reading category.
    7. Tap Done.
  • How do reward packages and bonus drawings work?

    Readers who complete the Base Goal earn Beanstack digital badges, virtual tickets, a certificate of completion, and a reward package (contents may vary). Reward packages are available for pickup at the November 14 Splashdown Celebration. Any reward package not picked up will be sent to the reader's school.


    Bonus Goals give readers more virtual tickets. Use those tickets in Beanstack to enter bonus drawings by Saturday, October 17, 2026. Bonus drawing winners will be notified through the email used in Beanstack.


  • How do I enter bonus drawings with virtual tickets?

    After earning virtual tickets in Beanstack, you can choose which bonus drawings you want to enter.


    1. Log in to the Beanstack account you used to register for the Reading Challenge.
    2. Choose Ticket Drawings.
    3. Select a bonus drawing.
    4. Review the number of tickets you have available.
    5. Choose how many tickets you want to submit to that bonus drawing.
    6. Repeat these steps if you want to submit tickets to more than one bonus drawing.

    All virtual tickets must be submitted to a drawing by Saturday, October 17, 2026.

Open book with a rocket blasting out and a collage of S.T.E.A.M. related items.

Teachers & Class Participation

Bring the challenge into your classroom with simple ways to encourage reading, support participation, and help students get started.

Simple ways to support participation

  • Share Reading Challenge reminders with students and families.
  • Guide students through Beanstack registration.
  • Help students find S.T.E.A.M.-themed books.

Get updates about classroom bonus opportunities, key dates, and resources for teachers.

Sign Up for Teacher Email Updates

Teacher FAQs

  • How can my class participate?

    Students participate by creating their own Beanstack account, registering for the Reading Challenge, logging their reading, earning virtual badges, and submitting virtual tickets to bonus drawings.


    Teachers can support class participation by sharing challenge reminders and using the resources available on this page, including:

    • S.T.E.A.M. book recommendations
    • Reading Challenge theme song
    • S.T.E.A.M.-focused activities
    • Educational videos from past guest authors on YouTube
  • What email address should students use?

    Students may register with a personal email address, school email address, or parent/guardian email address.


    School email address: If a student uses a school email address, we strongly recommend including a phone number in the Beanstack registration so there is another way to contact the student or family about important challenge notifications.


    Teacher tip: Consider asking your district's IT department to allow emails from steamracetospace@gmail.com so students do not miss Reading Challenge notifications.



  • Can I register my class for the Reading Challenge?

    Yes, but we do not recommend registering a class as a group because the teacher must log reading and submit virtual tickets for each student individually.



    If you still choose to register a class or group:


    1. Select Register a Class or Group on the Beanstack landing page.
    2. Choose the option to log reading for the group individually.
    3. Enter the basic information for the group.
    4. Enter the group leader's information as the account creator. This login will be used to access and manage the group account.
    5. Select Register Group. You will see any available challenges and then be taken to the group reader view.

    Important: Do not choose All at One Time. That option does not allow students to be individually rewarded for their reading progress.


    After the group is created, you will need to edit each individual reader's account information, including name and age. Reading and activities are logged separately for each reader, so students may earn badges and virtual tickets at different times.

Reward Opportunity

Classroom Rewards

Classrooms with strong Reading Challenge participation may be selected for a special classroom reward.

To help your class stand out, share photos, testimonials, or class projects that show how your students are participating in the challenge.

How to submit: Send submissions by email or tag @ReadSteam on Instagram.

MARS Portable Planetarium Show

Includes an immersive 45-minute planetarium experience for up to 30 kids.

30 Second Dance Pizza Party

Includes Dance Party buttons, prize packs, and a pizza gift card for a class celebration.

Sponsored by 30 Second Dance Party.

Interstellar Reward Kit

Includes an Estes rocket, plus a space-flown poster with a certificate of flight.

Sponsored by Club for the Future.

Cosmic Ray Bulk Pack

Includes 12 beginner-friendly rockets for students starting their journey into space exploration.

Sponsored by Estes Education.

Selected teachers will receive an invitation to accept their classroom reward at the Splashdown Celebration on Saturday, November 14, 2026.

Librarian Support

Thank you for helping readers discover new books, build curiosity, and stay connected to the S.T.E.A.M. Race to Space Reading Challenge.

Simple ways to help

  • Help students find S.T.E.A.M.-themed books.
  • Share Reading Challenge flyers and marketing materials.
  • Create an engaging S.T.E.A.M.-themed book display.
  • Help students find us on Beanstack.
  • Follow and share Reading Challenge updates on social media.

Ready to support readers?

Sign up for Librarian Email Updates to get key dates, ready-to-use materials, and early access to S.T.E.A.M. book recommendations.

Sign Up for Librarian Email Updates

Hear how librarians can help students get excited about the Reading Challenge. (1 min. 40 sec.)

Learning Launchpad

Educational websites, activities, and printable resources for families and educators who want to keep S.T.E.A.M. learning going beyond the Reading Challenge.

Space, Rockets & STEM Resources

  • JPL Education: K–12 STEM Educator Resources

    Explore hundreds of STEM resources for K–12 teachers and students, including lesson plans, projects, and videos.


    Visit JPL Education

  • Club for the Future: K–12 Space-Focused Lessons

    Explore space-focused classroom activities and lessons for K–12 educators and parents.


    Visit Club for the Future

  • Science Never Stops: K–12 STEM Videos & Activities

    Explore Science Never Stops videos and learning modules with hands-on activities, STEM career connections, and topics like rockets, drones, and satellites.


    Visit Science Never Stops

  • Estes Education: Rocketry-Based STEM Resources

    Find model rocketry activities, hands-on curriculum, and training resources that help educators bring real-world aerospace science to students while supporting 21st-century skills, NGSS, and Common Core Standards. 


    Visit Estes Education

  • Discovery Education: Real-World Classroom Resources

    Explore ready-to-use classroom resources from Discovery Education partners that help students connect timely topics with real-world learning, careers, and future success.


    Visit Discovery Education Classroom Resources

Science, Engineering & Everday STEM

Books, Authors & Reading Inspiration

  • S.T.E.A.M. Race to Space Reading Challenge: Author & Astronaut Videos

    Explore author and astronaut videos created for the S.T.E.A.M. Race to Space Reading Challenge to inspire readers and connect books with S.T.E.A.M. learning.


    Visit the @readsteam YouTube Channel

  • Story Time from Space: Astronaut Read-Alouds

    Watch astronauts read children's books from the International Space Station and bring space-themed storytime into classrooms, libraries, or home learning.


    Visit Story Time from Space

  • Author Patricia Newman: Science & Nature Book Resources

    Explore educator guides, activities, and resources that combine STEM and literacy through Patricia Newman's children's books about science, nature, and the environment.


    Visit Patricia Newman's Educator Resources

  • Author Gabrielle Prendergast: Book Activities & Study Materials

    Explore study guides, discussion questions, and printable activities connected to Gabrielle Prendergast's books, including space-themed resources for If Pluto Was a Pea.


    Visit Gabrielle Prendergast's Study Materials

  • She Blinded Me with Science!: Featured Book Activities

    Explore discussion questions and activities for five featured children's books by women authors, plus additional STEM book recommendations and science-related websites.


    Download She Blinded Me with Science! (PDF)

  • Sea Lions in the Parking Lot: Discussion Guide

    Explore discussion questions for Sea Lions in the Parking Lot, a children's book about wildlife, ecosystems, and changing environments. The PDF also includes a paired guide for The Longest Storm.


    Download the Sea Lions Discussion Guide (PDF)

  • Abrams Books: Teaching Guides

    Browse children's and young adult book titles with teaching guides, including many that connect reading with science, nature, art, and S.T.E.A.M. learning.


    Visit Abrams Books Teaching Guides

Promotional Materials

Download printable and shareable materials to help promote the Reading Challenge with students, families, classrooms, and library communities.

2026 Save the Date

Share the 2026 challenge dates with students, families, and community partners.

Theme Song Lyrics

Download the lyrics for the S.T.E.A.M. Race to Space theme song to sing along with young readers.

2026 Challenge Poster

The 2026 Reading Challenge poster is coming soon. Check back for printable and shareable poster files.

2025 Challenge Impact Overview

See a snapshot of last year's Reading Challenge impact, including participation, minutes read, and rewards distributed.