Are you enrolling your kids this year? Since covid cases went down, most schools opened their doors to children learning face-to-face classes. STEM education goes beyond what is taught in school.
It gives children skills that shape how they think and act. STEM education brings together science, technology, engineering, and math, helping solve the problems the world may be facing tomorrow.
So, knowing its importance might be critical if your kid is entering a STEM level. Here at Bonneville Academy Charter School, we’ll let you understand why STEM is essential for every kid’s learning. Take a read on this post and discover more about the STEM system!
What is STEM?
STEM is a term you’ve probably heard, but what does it stand for? STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. The focus in these four fields is on new ideas, solving problems, and thinking critically. And all of them together make up a popular and quickly growing business.
Most people in STEM fields do their jobs every day with the help of computers and other tech. Many people also use the scientific method to test theories and hypotheses.
STEM is made up of these main areas of study:
- Sciences of nature, physics, and life (sometimes including medicine, sometimes not)
- Computer science, electronics, and other fields related to technology
- All kinds of building
- Mathematics, or any area where mathematical principles are used a lot
Any major in a recognized STEM field is a STEM major. Remember that different colleges may have other ideas about what subjects make up a STEM major.
Most undergraduate STEM programs lead to a bachelor of science degree. Still, some may lead to a bachelor of applied science, a bachelor of engineering, or a bachelor of architecture. No matter their major, STEM students often take many of the same classes in fields like biology, chemistry, calculus, statistics, and engineering.
STEM degrees are often some of the most time-consuming majors regarding how much time students spend each week on homework and getting ready for class.
Here are some popular majors in the STEM fields:
- Biology
- Biotechnology
- Computer Science
- Information Technology
- Mechanical Engineering
STEM Importance
As society changes and technology improves, there is a growing need for professionals who know how these technologies work and can come up with real-world solutions. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says that careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are “tomorrow’s jobs,” which shows how important these fields are.
STEM jobs are in high demand, and many are expected to be for a long time. At the same time, there aren’t enough STEM professionals, so colleges and the U.S. government are urging students to study STEM.
In 2019, STEM education got $578 million from the Trump administration. President Biden’s education budget for 2022 says that STEM will be a top priority.
Making sure students get a good STEM education is essential if the U.S. wants to stay competitive in the global market. Students are actively encouraged to study STEM through state-wide programs. Many of these programs also encourage women and people of color to join an industry mostly made up of white men.
Many schools also offer scholarships and partnerships with cities and states to help students interested in STEM.
STEM Benefits
STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education focuses on giving students the skills they need to succeed in their careers. It gives kids more than just the skills they need to succeed in STEM fields.
But other than that, what can your kids, and you as a parent, benefit from this STEM system? Let’s take a look at these positive notes.
Providing Skills
STEM-based education teaches kids more than just the basics of science and math. Focusing on hands-on learning with real-world applications helps develop a wide range of skills, such as creativity and skills for the 21st century.
Skills for the 21st century include knowing how to use media and technology, being productive, having social skills, communicating, being flexible, and taking the initiative. Other skills that can be learned through STEM education are how to solve problems, think critically, and be creative.
There are also teachings on being curious, making decisions, leading, being an entrepreneur, accepting failure, and more. No matter what kind of job these kids want to do in the future, these skills will help them be creative in many ways.
Learning New Things
Innovation is based on being able to think critically and question standards. The Equality of Opportunity Project (EOP) says that innovation is one of the most important parts of economic growth.
People who think in new ways are the ones who have the power to change the world. Check out the people who have been inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame® (NIHF). These are some of the most important innovators and inventors in U.S. history who have enabled us to make our world what it is today.
Encourages Experimentation
Many of the technological advances of the last few decades would not have been possible if people didn’t take some risks and try new things. Many of these new ideas came from people who were told their ideas wouldn’t work.
During the K–12 years, learning about STEM can help kids have this attitude. How can you make this happen? Let students try out new things and take risks while learning.
Promotes Working Together
STEM education can be taught to all kinds of students, no matter how smart they are. Students with different skill levels can work together in teams to solve problems, keep track of data, write reports, give presentations, and do other things. The outcome is students who know how to work together and do well in a team-based setting.
Uses What They Know
Students learn skills they can use in the real world as part of STEM education. This makes students want to learn because they know they can use the skills they learn right away and in ways that will help them and their families. When they go to work, they will do well and use what they know to do new and different things.
Thinking Outside The Box
STEM education programs help kids prepare to be the inventors and innovators of the future. Kids can turn traditional learning on its head and focus on getting hands-on experience and using what they learn in the real world at summer camps, after-school programs, and maker spaces.
Find out about the STEM-based education programs that NIHF inductees made to help kids prepare for a successful life. Call us here at Bonneville Academy and discover our programs to help your kids learn the best things in school.
