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Teaching STEM to Students: Fun and Accessibility Suggestions

3/24/2023

Guest post provided by Emily Graham of MightyMoms.net

A strong foundation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) will help your students build successful careers down the road, not to mention hone their critical thinking skills for more success in life. Of course, giving them a solid foundation is easier said than done – STEM can be complex and hard to digest, even for adults. You’ll have to up your game as a teacher and make it as fun and accessible for them as possible, but with the following tips, both you and your students will look forward to deep diving into STEM!

Devise an age-appropriate curriculum

Your first step, ideally, should be to prepare an accessible curriculum. This is easy if the previous teacher left you lesson plans or if your institution has something in place already. If you’re starting from scratch, you can refer to online resources like TeachEngineering for inspiration. Typically, your job is to push your students up to a certain standard. Understand said standards, see where your students are currently, and then come up with lesson plans to bridge the gap.

Center your lessons around the
7-step EDP process

STEM, at its heart, is identifying real-world problems and then solving them via a methodical “engineering” approach. Getting Smart recommends incorporating Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) and Engineering Design Process (EDP) into your teachings. EDP is cyclical – it involves defining the problem, conducting research, developing multiple solutions, testing said solutions, evaluating the results, and, finally, sharing the results. As a STEM teacher, your priority should be to teach students to use the EDP process to solve real-world problems independently.

Make learning fun with games and team projects

If it’s not fun and engaging, your students’ attention will wander. Here are some suggestions for making it more fun:

Games: Children learn easier if lessons are imparted through play. You could give them educational toys or find fun STEM games for everyone to play.

Teams: Dividing your kids up into groups and assigning them fun projects can help you motivate them. It also promotes collaboration, communication, leadership, and problem-solving.

Real-world examples: Students are more likely to be engaged if they see how STEM has an impact on the real world and the tangible value it brings to the table.

Technology: Coding, virtual reality, smart boards, and simulations are some excellent technological tools to get STEM lessons to stick.

Field trips: If your budget allows, taking your students out for educational trips – science conferences, technology shows, trade fairs, and overseas trips – can make learning STEM extra fun.

Keep tabs on student progress

In engineering, failure is part of the process. Expect your students to make many mistakes – as long as they recognize their mistakes and are learning from them, they’re on the right track. Furthermore, you must keep tabs on the overall success of your STEM curriculum and improve it over time. Sphero offers some STEM evaluation guidelines, such as participation rates, exam results, changes in perception about STEM, and future career trajectories.

Learn more about STEM
and how to best teach it by acquiring a degree

Sometimes there’s no substitute for formal education. Acquiring a STEM-related degree – specialized in teaching or otherwise – will grow your knowledge base and make your lessons more effective. With the right degree, you can learn about best instructional practices and learner development principles. If time is an issue, try an online degree program so you can learn in your spare time.

Conclusion

Focusing on the practical, fun applications of STEM and prioritizing hands-on learning will make it more likely that lessons stick in your students’ heads. Think about tactics like creating an online course or taking field trips to keep learning fun. And get to know your students and build strong relationships with them for the best results – if they feel you care about their progress, they’ll be more likely to pay attention and participate in your STEM lessons.

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Fostering a Growth Mindset: Why It's Important for Children and Adults Alike

3/7/2023

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I saw this poster by Happy Strokes this morning and thought this visual was so spot on.

Let's talk about the importance of having a growth mindset for both children and adults.

A growth mindset is the belief that one's abilities and talents can be developed through hard work, dedication, perseverance and positive self-talk. It's the idea that we can always learn and improve, even in areas where we may struggle.

Having a growth mindset is crucial for both children and adults because it allows us to embrace challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth, rather than as roadblocks. When we believe that we can improve through effort, we're more likely to take risks, push ourselves out of our comfort zones, and ultimately achieve our goals.

For children, fostering a growth mindset can set them up for success throughout their lives. It teaches them to view mistakes as opportunities to learn, rather than as failures. It helps them develop resilience and perseverance, which are essential qualities for navigating the ups and downs of life.

But a growth mindset isn't just for kids - it's just as important for adults. Whether we're starting a new career, learning a new skill, or dealing with a personal setback, having a growth mindset allows us to approach challenges with a sense of curiosity and optimism. It helps us stay motivated and keep pushing forward, even when things get tough.

So if you're a parent, teacher, or just someone looking to improve yourself, remember the power of a growth mindset. Encourage yourself and those around you to embrace challenges and keep learning, even when it's difficult. With a little bit of hard work and dedication, anything is possible!

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