Research Central: STEM

Research Central

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics)

STEM Icon

Calling all Inventors! Check out all these helpful books, websites, and databases to:

  • Spark Your Creativity
  • Refine Your Idea
  • Build, Test and Perfect Your Masterpiece
  • Protect Your Intellectual Property
  • Take Your Invention to Market

Free, customizable Legal Forms are available for patents, trademarks, and many other legal needs. Use the Legal Forms Database below.

Maker Kits

Inspire your creative thinking, innovation and collaboration! Check out a Maker Kit for some hands-on learning about science, technology, engineering, art and math. Place a Maker Kit on hold and pick one up at the Reference Desk.

Databases

Videos

Books & More

Web Links

Library Events

Databases

Computer Source

from EBSCOhost
Provides researchers with the latest information and current trends in high technology.

Creativebug

Creativebug.com has more than 1,000 award-winning art & craft video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists. Learn how to paint, knit, crochet, sew, screen print, and more!

Legal Forms

from GALE
Access thousands of business, personal, real estate, state specific, federal, and general forms covering hundreds of legal subjects and issues.

Lynda.com

A LinkedIn Company
A leading online learning company that helps anyone learn business, software, technology and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals. With over 4,500 courses to choose from, create a profile to keep track of your successes and tailor the course listings to your skill set. Apps are available! Once downloaded, select the 'Already a member?' option. Next, tap the 'Organization' tab, and enter "wclibrary.info" in the web portal (second option down). Follow the login prompts.
***The transition of Lynda.com into LinkedIn Learning for libraries has been delayed. Please continue to access to Lynda.com through your Library account. More information will be coming soon. ***

Science Reference Center

from EBSCOhost
Topics include biology, chemistry, earth and space science, environmental science, health and medicine, history of science, life science, physics, science and society, science as inquiry, scientists, technology and wildlife. Designed to meet every student researchers needs, Science Reference Center contains full text for hundreds of science encyclopedias, reference books, periodicals and other sources

ScienceFlix

from Scholastic
ScienceFlix provides students with a better understanding of science concepts and ideas through hands-on projects, videos, multiple text types, interactive features and more.

TERC - Testing and Education Reference Center

from Gale
Taking a college entrance or licensing exam? Take on-line practice tests and use test prep eBooks to obtain your education goals. Looking for a college or graduate school or help finding scholarships? Use this database to search thousands of college and graduate school entries. Identify scholarships that meet their financial needs.
Access will end March 30th. Please use OhioMeansJobs Assessment & Training Center for practice exams and job prep.

Treehouse

Treehouse is an online video and interactive learning platform. All content is focused on technology and includes content that teaches mobile, front-end and back-end web development in a variety of programming languages. To create or reactivate your Treehouse account, submit this form. Once your request is processed, Treehouse will send an invitation email to get started.
Online account is required. If you already have an active WCPL account with Treehouse, please log in here. If you are under the age of 13, a parent or guardian must create this account.

Videos

Maker Magazine


For other great Maker ideas check out Make Magazine's YouTube channel.

Learn the Process

United States Patent and Trademark Office
Learn basic information about the process, search for existing patents and trademarks, how to apply and get help from a local office.

Patent and Trademark Resource Center at Wright State Univerity
Wright State University Libraries maintain an official Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC).  It is available for use by the general public. Contact the Government and Legal Information Coordinator for personal research assistance.

Get Inspired

Inventions - Facts, Figures, Pictures & Stories - History.com
Find out more about the stories behind the inventions and inventors that shaped history. Explore interesting articles, facts, pictures, videos and more.

PBS Inventors
A series of portrait videos by filmmaker and photographer David Friedman, chronicling the work of contemporary inventors from all walks of life.

The Smithsonian's Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation
Explores the role of invention and innovation in the United States and how that history relates to current events. Includes inspiring videos to get you started.

Coding and Building

Bridge Builder
Another bridge-building puzzler. Use beams,suspension cables, and physics to construct a bridge that will allow the truck to reach the checkered flag.

ROBLOX
Creators produce their own 3D multiplayer experiences using Roblox Studio, our intuitive desktop design tool. Any game or experience imaginable can be created.

Scratch
MIT Created program allows users to create your own interactive stories, games, and animations — and share your creations with others in the online community.

Sploder
Make your own online games for free, Sploder makes it super easy for you to make your own free games online. Make your own arcade games, platformer games, spaceship shooters, or space adventure games. Advanced game maker? Try the physics game maker for creating original minigames! You can even customize it with your own game art using our free graphics editor!

Get Started

Dayton Diode
A Makerspace, also called Hackerspace, in downtown Dayton. Members can access Hand/Power/Electronics Tools, Computers, Woodworking, CNC Equipment, 3D Printing.

FabSpace
A Digital Makerspace for Dayton. A place to play, to create, to learn, to teach, to invent.

Hive13
Hive13 was formed to provide a Hackerspace for the Cincinnati area, and we encompass many interests – computing, mechanics, artistry, chemistry, brewing, complex biochemistry, among many others.

Idea Foundry
The largest makerspace on the planet (according to TechCrunch magazine) is right here in Columbus, Ohio. Membership gets you access to all the tools you need to create - 3D printers, lasers, glass blowing, metal cutting, kilns and much more.

Instructables
Instructables is a place that lets you explore, document, and share your DIY creations. Find instructions on how to make a variety of projects, including many technology based projects.

Make It Dayton
A grassroots group of Makers interested in organizing Maker events and supporting the Maker community of Dayton, Ohio.

OK Go Sandbox
An online resource for educators that uses OK Go’s music videos as starting points for integrated guided inquiry challenges allowing students to explore various STEAM concepts.

Proto Build Bar
This amazing creative and technology experience center is part 3D printing lab, part electronic maker space, and part café. Proto is a fun, hands-on place where people of all ages and experience levels can come together around a simple, yet powerful idea: “I want to make something great."

Thingiverse
From toys to tools, this website provides access to free digital designs that can be created using a 3D printer or laser cutter.


*Many local makerspaces charge fees for membership, space rental and/or materials. Contact the makerspace directly for more details.*

Reference Live Chat

Topic List

Books & More

Reference eBooks: Inventors

Adult Maker Kits


Kids Maker Kits

Events