The acronym STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. In today’s economy, STEM fields are key to a great career.
Parents, every child, regardless of the career path they choose, can benefit from an interest in science and math. Developing such interest in science and math is made easier through widely available STEM toys or education programs. Such programs vary in approach and effectiveness. One program we highly recommend is iBrics (ibrics.cc). iBrics uses hands-on experiments to make science fun.
A good STEM program focuses on hands-on learning and emphasizes the scientific method. It is a way of teaching which stimulates curiosity and develops skills and knowledge in a fun, easy to understand way. If you are looking for the best STEM programs for your kids, you should focus on one that emphasizes experiments for learning and not just teaching.
STEM: A Focus on Experiments for Learning
Let’s think about what piques children’s interest. Is it by watching videos or by reading about buildings and bridges? Or, participating in an engineering contest to build the longest plastic bridge. Clearly, for most kids, participating in a contest to build a model would rank high. A good STEM program follows this same technique. If you are looking for the best STEM programs for your kids, you should look for the following five characteristics:
1). A More hands-on approach
The best STEM programs will usually need the students to use their hands and interact with various STEM concepts. This can be role-playing, creating things, building designing, or through other discovery and creative processes. These hands-on activities result in some tangible output, which makes them very effective.
One of the best benefits of the STEM program is that it helps young students to become active learners. A good STEM program helps kids learn and remember certain concepts on a long-term basis.
2). Explores everyday problems
The best STEM programs usually focus on experiments for learning and they use real-world scenarios to look for and find solutions that are relevant to environmental, economic, and social problems. The students are introduced to the “whys“ and the “how’s” that are behind these subjects.
A good STEM program comes with a syllabus to enhance engagement with the subject. This helps them to holistically relate their classroom subjects to real-world scenarios.
3). Uses grade-level science and math content
The best STEM program will strategically use both scientific and math concepts in the learning activity. Basing content on actual real world problems helps to give the students practical skills on the subject and increases their learning engagements.
4). Solves problems with industrial processes
One way to identify a top-notch STEM program is the fact that they apply innovative engineering processes to the subject matter. This technique helps the student to adopt a systematic way of solving problems. The process involves problem definition, conducting research, discussing multiple ideas, creating/developing prototypes/devices, as well as testing, evaluating, and redesigning these concepts.
5). Helps students approach problem-solving in groups
One of the hallmarks of the best STEM programs is to help the students think critically, problem-solve, persist, collaborate and communicate. The program is very different from the surface level approach of most basic and formal education. An excellent STEM program helps all students to see the way the subjects are interconnected. This enables them to learn various soft skills to function in the real world.
One such program is iBrics (ibrics.cc). Their STEM Education sets are affordable, expandable, and deliver hands-on learning for kids 8 and over. iBrics Education Sets are designed to make science learning fun.
Give your child the Gift of Learning. Give them a STEM Education Set.
