We’re always told that STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are very important subjects to learn. We know that if our kids go into the STEM courses in Singapore, they will have a lot more job opportunities.
You may already know this, but did you also know that early exposure to STEM, even if it’s just basic ideas, is a big factor in whether or not someone wants to work in a STEM field?
When it’s time to choose classes in elementary, middle, and high school, kids who have been exposed to STEM thinking are much more likely to give science and technology serious thought.
Also, a person’s level of interest and success in high school is often a big factor in deciding what major to choose in college or university and what job to get after that.
But STEM can seem scary to the vast majority of us. I mean, we all can’t be doctors, right? How can we teach STEM subjects to our young children at home while they are still growing up?
Encourage kids to see that science, technology, engineering, and math are all around them and that they use these fields every day.
Here are a few simple ideas for how talking about STEM terms and ideas during kids’ everyday activities and conversations can help them see how approachable STEM topics can be.
Point out practical applications of STEM in everyday life:
Prepare food together with your kid. Include mathematics by asking him or her to measure the ingredients and calculate out how much of each to add when the recipe is doubled.
Then, explain the chemical reactions that take place as a result of mixing the components together. In order for your youngster to understand the distinction between solids and liquids, you should ask them to explain it.
While you are working around the house or in the yard, you can teach your child about simple machinery by pointing them out to them.
Demonstrate to the person how a rake can be used as a lever to move the leaves. On a bicycle, point out where the wheel and axle are located.
Give your child the mission of scouring the house for two additional examples of each item.
Challenge your kids to problem solve in everyday experiences:
Understanding how to find a solution to a problem is an essential part of any STEM education. Encourage your children to think critically about how to address a situation by looking for everyday opportunities to do so.
You should put your children to the task of coming up with a solution to the issue. If they become too frustrated, you can offer support by assisting them in breaking the task down into more manageable steps.
Use hypothetical situations to get their attention. When you take your kid to the playground and they are having a fantastic time sliding down the slide, it is a good idea to explain how slides are constructed.
Inquire as to what other improvements may be made. Inquire about the manner in which he or she would construct it in order to improve it.
When you come back to your house, have your kid sketch it out on a sheet of paper for you. Encourage inventiveness!
Encourage tinkering:
Kids are inspired to build incredible things and structures by an abundance of fantastic toys, such as LEGO and K’NEX.
When your kid constructs that incredible roller coaster, make sure to ask him or her to break out how each component works. Ask your kid to demonstrate what he or she has been up to.
Alternately, you may challenge your kid to assemble something out of five or seven unrelated things. When your child is finished, though, you should ask them to explain not only what they did, but also why it was successful.
Do you still have your old computer? How about your old toaster? How about an outdated mobile device that wouldn’t even is worth a penny if you traded it in? Turn off the power, hand it to your kid, and encourage him or her to discover what it can do.
Allow your child to find out how to disassemble it (with your supervision, of course), and then let them investigate the components that are contained within it.
Give older children the opportunity to conduct study online and see if they can recognize any of the components and explain to you what function they provide.
Explore outside
STEM encompasses more than just computers and other electronic devices, mathematical challenges, and lego coding. It all comes down to having an understanding of how the world works!
While you’re outside with your kids, engage them in STEM activities. Before they ask you the question, why do you think the sky is blue?
Ask them to have a look at the anatomy of plants and the leaves. Discuss the current state of the weather. How does the air feel just before it starts to rain? Why does it seem like it’s getting darker when it starts to rain?
Go on a nature hike
A walk in the woods is an excellent approach to learn about science since it gives you the opportunity to observe firsthand how the natural world functions.
There is a wide variety of hiking in natural settings, ranging from short strolls to longer, more difficult treks that need for prior hiking experience.
Use online resources
You can find a lot of information on the internet, and there are many websites and apps that can help you learn more about science.
If you can’t go on a nature hike or to a planetarium, you don’t have to worry because there are a lot of scientific resources online that you can use to learn.
You can also find movies, articles, and other things that might help you learn more about the natural world.
You can also find a lot of science fans in online forums who are willing to help you learn more about science. These online groups are great places to meet people who are interested in science and get advice from them.
People who are interested in science can join online communities like message boards, blogs, and groups on social media sites.
Read science and technology magazines
Finding ways to make STEM courses for kids fun and interesting to learn is always going to be a big help to you. Reading magazines about science and technology is a fun thing that you and your friend could do together.
You will not only be able to talk about the latest finds and discoveries, but you will also be able to look for fun projects that your child can try on their own at home.
Watch documentaries about scientific topics
There are a lot of great documentaries out there that cover a wide range of scientific topics.
If you watch these shows with your child, you can spark their sense of wonder and imagination and help them see more of the world.
