Parents can be the most potent influence on a child’s interest in science. Nurture your children’s natural curiosity by answering their ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions earnestly.
Show your children how STEM is part of daily life by cooking together to learn chemistry, fixing things to explore engineering, or studying nature to discover biology.
Ask Questions
While many STEM activities are available online, not all are created equal. To ensure your child gets the most out of their learning experience, look for activities engaging children in science and engineering practices. These practice-focused activities provide opportunities for children to ask questions, make observations, and investigate; to use and apply their knowledge and skills; and to communicate with others about their investigations.
In addition, it’s essential to consider your child’s abilities. If they struggle with subjects like math and physics, it’s unlikely that a STEM program in those areas would be the best choice for them.
Fortunately, there are a few simple ways to help them find the right major. For starters, please encourage them to explore their natural interests and watch how they naturally use science, technology, and mathematics in their everyday lives. For example, suppose they enjoy building things or staring at the night sky. In that case, you can quickly turn these activities into STEM experiences by asking open-ended questions such as ‘Why did you try it that way?’ or ‘How could you improve your solution?’.
Schedule a Visit
Choosing the right STEM education center is the key to preparing your child for STEM-related careers. STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) is a comprehensive strategy that teaches children the critical thinking and problem-solving abilities they will need to succeed in any career path. It is not just a collection of disciplines.
Early STEM learning provides a strong foundation for kids, and parents can help by fostering their children’s natural inclinations to observe, question, and investigate. It’s also helpful to encourage kids to see real-world applications of STEM concepts by pointing out family members in STEM-related careers or enrolling them in after-school activities that expose them to STEM careers like doctors, mechanics, and computer engineers.
The best way to cultivate a love of STEM is by showing kids how fun and relevant it can be. You can do this by encouraging them to conduct kitchen-science-style experiments at home, watching STEM-related TV shows and movies together, or going on nature walks and allowing your children to collect and sort items found in their environment, such as differently shaped rocks, leaves, and flowers.
Check Out the Facilities
Finding a STEM education center with warm and welcoming facilities is essential. Kids are more interested in STEM if they can see that it’s a place they belong and a place where they’re encouraged to make mistakes and try new things.
Many students drop out of STEM studies due to needing more confidence and a negative perception of the subject. Parents and caregivers can help to dispel these misconceptions by introducing children to STEM through natural, everyday experiences.
For example, many children learn about science and technology through everyday activities, such as building towers on the playground or creating chemistry experiments at home. Getting to know your child’s interests is also essential. Whether they are fascinated by video games or art, helping them discover ways STEM can help them advance in these areas is critical. Lastly, finding an educational program that encourages participation in STEM competitions is vital. This kind of activity will help kids feel confident and capable in their learning while promoting teamwork and the ability to problem-solve on the fly.
Meet the Teachers
A STEM education center that prioritizes the development of students’ social, emotional, and cognitive skills in addition to their academic knowledge will be more likely to cultivate a love of science in kids. For example, a school encouraging kids to ask questions and form their explanations about the world around them will give them the tools they need to become lifelong scientists and innovators.
Educators should also strive to make STEM learning as diverse as possible. They can do this by providing students with various materials that explore different subjects, cultures, and topics.
Quality STEM experiences empower kids to pursue their interests, problem-solve, and confidently work through challenges.