Children tend to have a natural curiosity level. They can easily understand Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) subjects.
They can even start understanding these subjects right from one year of age. But these skills will have to be developed as time goes by – i.e., during the child’s development.
Before they even begin to speak, children are able to nurture complex thinking skills.
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What is STEM?
Often, you’ll hear or read this word and sometimes not know what it stands for. As hinted in the introduction, STEM is an acronym that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It isn’t a single subject or program but rather a collection of several disciplines.
Advantages of Taking STEM in SHS and in College?
More learning institutions are implementing STEM into their curriculum. Thus, it is slowly becoming an essential part of what educators teach their students. But why STEM? What’s the benefit of taking STEM in SHS and college?
Increases Creativity
STEM often leads to creating new ideas and innovations that help the world become a better place. Digital learning and artificial intelligence wouldn’t be possible without creativity and ingenuity.
Fosters Resilience
With STEM, you can fail and try again severally, which builds resilience. Failure becomes a learning curve rather than a thing to put you down.
Students, therefore, become more confident in themselves. Hence, keep going even when things get tough.
Encourages Experimentation
Without taking risks, you never know if something will work. In fact, many technological advancements would have been a forgotten dream if not for trial and error. So many of the most outstanding tech entrepreneurs were told that their ideas wouldn’t work. But they kept on trying them out until they ultimately worked.
Allowing students to carry out experiments and take on risks when learning is a great idea. It can help them deal with life’s failures a lot easier.
Leads to Teamwork
Teamwork makes the dream work, doesn’t it? STEM encourages students to collaborate. They can work together in teams to uncover solutions to their problems. They can also write reports and record data as a team. In the end, students become people who thrive well in a team-oriented environment.
Knowledge Application
STEM helps students get the knowledge they can use in the real world. Thus, they can easily tackle different tasks when they enter the workforce.
Encourages the Use of Technology
Kids learn the potency of technology and innovate new stuff. Therefore, even when new technology emerges, they’ll be ready to embrace it. This gives them an upper hand in a world rapidly focusing on technology in the long run.
Helps in Solving Problems
STEM learning can help in solving problems facing humanity. Students can begin solving problems through critical thinking. Also, they become more conversant with real-world issues and how to create long-lasting solutions.
Adaption
Life is all about using your skills to restructure yourself and your ideas based on particular situations. And this is precisely what students learn in STEM. It teaches them to apply their knowledge in dealing with whatever challenges emerge in life.
Things to Consider
When talking about STEM learning, there are a number of things that you need to consider for your child. Here are some of them:
- Collaboration.
- Engineering-design thinking.
- Science and Mathematics skills.
- Inquiry skills.
- Creativity.
- Problem-solving.
Ways to Get Your Child Interested in STEM
Now that you have an idea about STEM, its advantages, and what you need to consider, here are some ways that you can get your child interested in it:
Make STEM Normal in Their Lives
Your child needs to know that STEM is an entirely normal learning cycle that every other kid goes through. Don’t make it seem like something out of the ordinary, as this will make them somewhat hesitant or fearful.
Point Out Practical Applications of STEM in Everyday Life
Make your child understand that STEM has some pretty usual applications in the real world. Do this by giving numerous examples that will convince your child.
Recognize People Who Advance STEM
Show your child some of the notable names that have been involved with STEM. This will give them a sense of mentorship or role model that they can follow.
Emphasize STEM-Related Skills
Show your kid what skills are present in STEM learning so that they can start nurturing them early.
Stimulate Your Child’s Curiosity with Science
Science has always been an intriguing subject, especially for the young ones. You can use it to cultivate the motivation for STEM learning.
Challenge Your Kids to Problem Solve In Everyday Experiences
Sometimes, make them the boss by asking them what they think is the solution to everyday challenges. This slowly makes them sharp in problem-solving, an essential skill in STEM learning.
Explore Outside
Look further, as the sky isn’t even the limit anymore. Cultivate an explorative notion in your child to get them to see the world as it is.
Encourage them to explore fields such as electronics design or industrial design as careers early on.
Final Thoughts
So, that’s about it when it comes to STEM learning and cultivating it in your child. Hopefully, you’ll be able to get him or her to gain interest using the ways we have listed above.
