Paul Ian Cross, author of SuperQuesters Mission: River Crest Rescue, explains how science-themed adventure stories can build skills and inspire a lifelong love of STEM.

Research shows that from an early age many children believe that science and STEM is not for them. But STEM is for everyone! It’s all around us and impacts our lives and the world in so many ways. I bet if you think about something you love, it has some element of STEM involved. For example, if you like gaming, then tech was involved to develop it. If you love animals, then science and nature are part of that too. If you love baking, then science is involved in following the recipe and mixing the ingredients.

STEM is also the foundation of our future. It shapes the way we understand the world and helps solve big challenges, such as health and medicine, energy, artificial intelligence, climate change and our relationship with nature.

That is what inspired me to write SuperQuesters Mission: River Crest Rescue. It’s an action-packed adventure that blends magic, problem-solving, and STEM learning. When best friends Lilli, Leo, and Bea discover an old board game, they are transported to Questland, where they transform into the SuperQuesters! They become superheroes who must use their problem-solving skills and team work to defeat the evil globin gardener, Mortifer. 

Mortifer represents what happens when technology is used for the wrong reasons. He wants control over nature, but instead of working with it, he tries to dominate it with his inventions. Mortifer chooses to create beavers bots and dragonflies drones because they are powerful forces in real ecosystems. For example, beavers build dams that shape landscapes and dragonflies control insect populations using their incredible hunting skills. He subverts this and the SuperQuesters (and readers) need to help right this wrong.

By experiencing conservation, rewilding and tech for good in an exciting adventure story, children can see science in action. I hope that when readers see relatable characters like the three SuperQuesters solving problems with science and technology, they can picture themselves doing the same as the scientists, engineers, and inventors of the future. 

The book is written so that the reader is part of the story. There are puzzles and secret codes to crack alongside the cool magical creatures and thrilling battle to save the village of River Crest from being destroyed. The story is also supported by fun facts, a glossary and four activities that can be done at home or school to extend the learning – and fun. 

I hope that readers will come away from the book knowing that they must keep asking questions and being inquisitive. The SuperQuesters don’t always have the answers right away. But by working together they experiment and think critically until they find the answer. That’s the mindset that I’d love readers to develop as it will help them throughout their entire lives in all aspects of everyday life. 

Ultimately, SuperQuesters Mission: River Crest Rescue shows how teamwork, creativity and working together can overcome challenges, all while inspiring a love of STEM. Who knows what the readers of my novel will achieve in the future. I can’t wait to see what kind of SuperQuester readers will become! Paul Ian Cross is the author of SuperQuesters Mission: River Crest Rescue, QuestFriendz, 2025. Find out how you can use the book in your classroom with the free teacher resources pack teacher resources pack