Augmenting Stem Education For Students – Here’s How

Want to enhance your child’s future potential? You need to help your child have a firm grounding in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skills. However, sparking interest in these fields is easier said than done. It takes some work on the part of the educators, and even parents can implement a few steps to set their children up for success.

Hands-on and early exposure to STEM can help students understand and become knowledgeable in these areas. They can grasp scientific concepts and become naturally curious about discovering and exploring the world around them.

When it comes to engaging students in STEM learning, there is a strong connection between how these science-based subjects are taught and the students’ interests. If the classes are monotonous and unappealing, students won’t be intrigued to continue with STEM education. One of the best approaches to STEM education is inquiry-based learning, where students are as much part of the class as the educators. They can ask questions, and educators encourage students’ curiosity and creativity.

STEM learning is increasingly becoming an essential part of the curriculum of English medium schools in Siliguri and across the country. It provides kids with valuable lessons on understanding the world around them and prepares them to solve complicated problems. So, you need to do your best to accentuate your ward’s interest in STEM education, and it can be done in the following ways.

• Nudge students to think independently and present to them the project goals. It helps in the promotion of self-directed learning.

Educators and parents need to allow children to start thinking independently while providing them gentle coaching along the way. So, let the students have the project goal and the requirements. Then, let them troubleshoot and learn from their mistakes.

If kids start taking the initiative and exploring through their scientific curiosity, they can gain confidence and take responsibility for their learning. Also, learning becomes fun when they are allowed to work independently, make mistakes and have someone to guide them.

• Students must be provided with hands-on opportunities to practically implement their learnings

Science education can truly become valuable for the students if they can apply their learnings beyond the textbook. Students can learn and retain more if they implement STEM concepts in real life instead of only sitting for book-based exams.

Therefore, students must be allowed to experience scientific concepts at school and at home. It will accentuate their retention and encourage them to solve problems. Most importantly, it will make science fun for them. For instance, educators and parents can provide students with science projects where they have to implement their textbook-based learning.

• Educators need to focus on creating real-life connections, so the STEM concepts translate into real-life use

STEM education can genuinely resonate with students when the curriculum shows how the concepts translate into solving real-life problems. If students are unable to connect their textbook-based learning with their practical application, they will not show a continued interest in the subject. Also, they won’t be able to think creatively or solve problems. For instance, if your child is enrolled in a day boarding school in Siliguri, educators can develop after-school projects. Since students stay back a few extra hours after regular school hours in a day boarding school, it gives them the perfect opportunity to apply what they have learned practically. Educators can engage them in team projects around the school campus or ask them to perform experiments based on the STEM concepts they have learned.

• Communication must be encouraged so students can informally and formally talk about their work to the class

Allow opportunities for students to discuss their work with the class. It will help students to develop excellent presentation skills and build confidence. Educators can include formal presentations as part of the curriculum to provide even more opportunities for the students to sharpen their communication skills.

• Encourage students to collaborate when working on STEM projects

Working in small groups or pairs encourages students to develop leadership, share ideas and solve problems. They also learn to work with others and understand their way of thinking and approach to solving the same problem. Teamwork helps students understand their work isn’t the only answer, and there can be multiple solutions to a problem. It encourages students to think out of the box and accept different perspectives. These lessons will help them in their future careers.

• Encourage your child to read technology and science magazines to spark interest

While educators are trying to make the STEM curriculum enjoyable at school, parents can also do their bit by encouraging their children to read technology and science magazines. It can make STEM learning exciting and fun for your kids. When you read such magazines with your kid, you can discuss the latest discoveries and findings. You can also engage in cool projects that can be safely tried at home.

Along with making STEM learning fun, it can be an exciting way to bond with your children.

• Bring home video games that involve science or make your children watch interesting documentaries on scientific topics

Children enjoy playing video games, and therefore, you can bring home science-based video games to make learning fun for your child. You can get video games that involve managing resources or building things. It will require your child to use their limited resources to win the games.

Apart from playing video games, you can watch documentaries together based on scientific topics. When you watch it with your child, it can spark your child’s imagination and curiosity. It can make them think in different ways, and you can even have long discussions about the documentary to understand each other’s perspectives.

The Bottom Line

STEM education is vital for the success of your child’s future. But educators and parents need to work together to make STEM learning fun for them. You need to show students the practical applications of the concepts they are learning because unless the concepts are implemented in real-life situations, they are written words that might not make complete sense to children. Therefore, follow the tips mentioned above to get your child more involved in STEM learning.