Books That Build Skills BLOG
Welcome to the Books That Build Skills blog—where stories meet real-world readiness. Here you’ll find articles that connect reading, STEM learning, life skills, and career exploration in ways that actually make sense for growing minds. Inspired by the Charms Book Series by author Loxley Browne, this space dives into the skills behind the adventures—critical thinking, creativity, leadership, problem solving, communication, and confidence. From hands-on learning ideas to career pathways in science, technology, engineering, and beyond, these articles help kids, parents, and educators turn curiosity into capability. If you believe books should do more than entertain—if they should help young people discover how the world works and where they fit in it—you’re in exactly the right place.
Things To Do!
Space Week: Space Exploration for Teens & Families
Space Week at Books That Build Skills is a curated week of space-inspired learning for teens, families, and educators. Through mission patch challenges, expert-led YouTube episodes, shorts, and feature articles, Space Week connects space exploration, STEM thinking, and storytelling through the Charms Book Series.
Space Isn’t the Point—Thinking Is: Inside the Charms Book Series
Space isn’t the point—thinking is. Discover how the Charms Book Series connects space exploration, innovation, and life skills for middle grade readers.
The AI Prompt That Turns You Into a NASA Mission Patch
Use this AI prompt to create a NASA-style mission patch with you at the center. A creative STEAM Space Week activity for kids, parents, and educators.
If you love the CHARMS Book Series, you’re going to be obsessed with Attie’s Journal. This is where our favorite teen inventor spills the behind-the-scenes stuff: the wild ideas that didn’t make it into the books, the real-life tools she’s using to manage school and projects, and her honest thoughts about everything from time-blocking to crushes to college dreams.
It’s part blog, part life skills guide, part “what just happened?!” and totally Attie.
Whether you’re a kid, adult, or just someone who’s curious about how a 15-year-old STEM-loving adventurer thinks, you’ll find inspiration (and maybe a few secrets) waiting in her pages.
Things We Have Built
Convert a Bicycle to Electric Bike
Learn how to convert a bicycle to an e-bike with our step-by-step STEM project — a fun hands-on engineering experience for teens.
Turning a BMW into a Driving Sim!
At FABcamp 2022, teens transformed a BMW 318 into “Simmie”—a fully functional driving simulator powered by gaming technology. But Simmie isn’t just about the build—it’s about the spark: engineering skills, creative troubleshooting, teamwork, and hands-on problem solving. Now, that’s what STREAM learning looks like in action.
#GirlsinSTEM Change the Rules FABricating the Ultimate BMW Driving Simulator
Give a girl the tools and see what she will build! Our FABcamp 2022 project converted a BMW 318 into a driving sim. Athenians learn how to drive safely now.
Building a Robotic Assistant at STEM Summer Camp
At FABcamp, students didn’t just build a robot—they solved real-world problems through creativity, technology, and empathy. In just 40 days, our team invented HomeBottie, a robotic assistant designed for homes based on user research. This project honed engineering savvy, human-centered design, collaboration, and career-ready STREAM skills—all under real pressure.
Building a Custom Drifting Trike During COVID Lockdown for STEM Summer Camp
In the spring of 2020, a worldwide lockdown didn’t stop Athenian—our FABcamp turned digital, and teens collaboratively built a drifting trike from spare parts during virtual sessions. This unexpected project became a masterclass in adaptability, creative problem-solving, project planning, and growth mindset—all powered by STREAM-based edu‑tainment.
And So Much More...
Space Isn’t the Point—Thinking Is: Inside the Charms Book Series
Space isn’t the point—thinking is. Discover how the Charms Book Series connects space exploration, innovation, and life skills for middle grade readers.
The Importance of Reading for Teens
Learn why reading is important for kids — from building vocabulary and confidence to supporting brain development, life skills, and future success.
Mission to Mars: Celebrating the Storytellers and Future Innovators
Athenian’s Mission to Mars press conference was a celebration of creativity, courage, and STREAM-fueled ambition. Held in partnership with the San Diego Air & Space Museum, the event spotlighted teen storytellers, debuted our bold new mission patch, and reinforced how edutainment bridges art, science, and future careers. Here’s a look at the moments that made us proud—and the next steps for rising innovators.
Converting a Regular Bicycle to an E-Bike: A High School Portfolio Project
Best way to explore interests and develop valuable skills? Create a portfolio project that impresses colleges and employers! Convert a bike!
Careers in Transportation
Transportation shapes the world—and WHO designs it shapes our future. From self-driving shuttles to solar-powered skateboards, STEM professionals are steering us toward smarter, cleaner, and more imaginative modes of movement. Here’s a guided tour of the most exciting careers in transportation—and how Athenian’s hands-on HAB projects, like e-bike conversion and drone builds, give teens the real-world skills they need to take the wheel.
How to Write a College Essay: What Colleges Want to Know
Writing your college essay isn’t about impressing with accomplishments—it’s your chance to show how you think, grow, and lead. At Athenian, we guide teens in turning their stories into personal strengths—building confidence, clarity, and character along the way. Start here, and see where your voice can take you.
The Top 5 Tips to Developing Great Leadership Skills
Empower teens with hands-on leadership training. From empathy to adaptability, Athenian’s STREAM projects build skills for school, careers, and character.
Shadowing HPD Race Engineers at Long Beach Grand Prix 2022
Athenian students had the rare chance to go behind the scenes at the 2022 Long Beach Grand Prix, touring Honda Performance Development’s INDYCAR paddock. This exclusive STEM field trip gave teens real-world exposure to engineering systems, teamwork dynamics, and live data analysis—showing how professional racing can spark career-curiosity and practical STREAM learning.
Designing an INDYCAR Livery
How do you design a livery? Executive Creative Designer, Dave Marek taught our Athenians how to design a paint scheme for an INDYCAR race car.
About NonProfits
Not All Nonprofits Are the Same: NGO vs 501(c)(3) vs 501(c)(4) Explained
Not all nonprofits are the same. This guide explains tax status, donor impact, and why structure matters for education and literacy programs.
Your Donation Matters: Empower Youth Through Reading Programs
Your end-of-year donation to Athenian fuels literacy, STEM confidence, and life skills for girls across the country. Give back and help us build bright futures.
