STEM is clearly important to us at STEMful–it is in our name, after all! The concept of STEM education is at the heart of the programs we provide our STEMful community. While many schools and education programs have adopted STEM learning, many students do not yet have access to quality STEM education and its benefits.
At STEMful, we are providing STEM education experiences that prepare kids to get more out of their time at school and succeed in life. In this blog, we are sharing why STEM education is such an essential part of learning and why it’s our focus at STEMful.
What is STEM Education?
So, what exactly is STEM education? STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. STEM education is an approach that integrates these areas in curriculums that create student-centered learning environments.
The concepts taught in STEM are applicable across many life experiences:
- Science helps us understand how the world works.
- Technology is a critical element in today’s world that is constantly changing and developing.
- Engineering solving problems and designing solutions.
- Math is involved in just about every job and activity we carry out in our lives.
Through STEM education, children gain real-life experience so that they adjust to adult life more easily. By practicing sorting through the information in front of them and figuring out how to make decisions based on evidence and reason, they get a head start on the rest of their lives. These are skills that serve them long after their school years. And the best part? They have fun and are stimulated while they learn!
Why is STEM Important?
At STEMful, we believe that a project-based STEM curriculum prepares children for life in the real world. As they learn about science through creative expression and hands-on experiences, they build confidence. And with that confidence, they become adults who are prepared to solve problems of the future.
The skills students develop in a STEM education environment are the foundation of what they need to succeed in life. Learning how to ask questions and investigate, process concepts using logic, collaborate, and create solutions to challenges is important at any age and stage. Those experiences provide skills that serve students in any field they might pursue.
Additionally, we know that a strong foundation in STEM education is a predictor of a student’s academic success. Studies have shown that early math skills, which students can learn through STEM education, are consistently a measure of achievement among kindergarten to 5th-grade students.
Challenges with STEM
Despite its importance in academic and real-life scenarios, STEM education is not a widespread priority for schools yet. And when STEM is not introduced early enough or properly integrated into curriculums, students fall short on their comprehension of related concepts and subject matter.
The Smithsonian Science Education Center reports that 78% of high school graduates do not meet the necessary benchmarks for college math, science, reading, or English courses. Here is why that matters: several years ago, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics projected a 9% growth in STEM-related jobs between 2018 and 2028—that’s 10.6 million positions!
Without adequate STEM programs in schools, students do not get the exposure and access to STEM learning that prepares them for the projected growth in STEM-related jobs, limiting their options. Many school systems haven’t yet prioritized STEM education or made it a focal point in their curriculums. Even in STEM academies, or schools dedicated to STEM learning, there are inconsistencies in how STEM education is interpreted and implemented.
STEM Education at STEMful
STEM learning is at the heart of everything we do at STEMful and every after-school program, class, and summer camp. From our littlest learners to the big kids, we give children ages 1.5-10 opportunities to explore scientific concepts and investigate the world around them.
We are dedicated to helping children discover a love for science, technology, engineering, and math. If we want to create a world where science is at the heart of solving problems, children need opportunities to build confidence in their abilities. We teach STEM education using an innovative, hands-on curriculum that encourages creative expression.
Here are just a few of the ways we provide children with STEM education opportunities at STEMful:
- Hands-on experiences introducing them to science—from chemistry to astronomy.
- Exploring engineering through building and problem-solving.
- Learning adventures with hands-on engagement of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) through project-based activities and open play.
The fact is that many children struggle to get the STEM learning opportunities they need at school. That is why we created a stimulating project-based STEM curriculum that offers fun learning experiences! Children get the science education they need to succeed in school and life, and parents know their children are safe in a supportive, structured environment.
Conclusion
It is our hope at STEMful that STEM education will someday be accessible to students of every age everywhere. Until then, we will continue to do our part to provide fun and engaging STEM learning opportunities for children. Complimenting your children’s school education with STEM experiences at STEMful will help ensure they get valuable learning opportunities that will help prepare them for their futures.
Interested in enrolling your children? Visit our Programs page to learn more about our STEM-focused summer camps, afterschool programs, and classes.