Martin Harutyunyan, Medical Oncologist and Palliative Care Specialist, Director of OncoDaily LA, shared an inspiring experience about science education for children:
“Last Friday, I met Dr. W. Martin Kast at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, where he introduced me to a unique educational initiative: the STEAM-Powered Careers children’s book series. As part of our conversation, he gifted me a copy of the oncology-themed book he co-authored with his daughter, Dr. Dieuwerdje “DJ” Kast.
The STEAM-Powered Careers series is a collaborative effort between Room to Read, USC’s Joint Educational Project, and a team of scientists and educators. Its goal is to inspire children to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). Each book in the series highlights a different scientific field through engaging storytelling, diverse characters, and real-world applications.
The oncology book introduces young readers to cancer research through a playful and imaginative story. In the book, Jae and his friend Felicia the fox journey inside the human body to learn what cancer is, how it affects people, and how scientists are working to help them feel better. Along the way, they discover how cells behave, what tumors are, and how treatments like immunotherapy are developed.
The story is designed to make complex medical ideas approachable for children, using friendly characters and colorful illustrations to spark curiosity and compassion. The book is available in both English and Spanish and is accompanied by NGSS-aligned lesson plans and educational videos featuring USC scientists.
More than 90,000 copies of the series have been distributed across Los Angeles, with a focus on reaching schools and libraries in under-resourced areas. The project also addresses the lack of diversity in children’s STEM literature by centering protagonists and scientists from the community, which in turn helps students see themselves reflected in scientific careers.
This initiative represents a meaningful step toward inclusive science education, blending academic rigor with cultural relevance and community engagement.
Links: STEAM – Room to Read
STEAM-Powered Series: Oncology
Carreras Impulsadas por STEAM – Oncología
More insights from Martin Harutyunyan.