By Tyler King
Are you looking for ways to involve your elementary school students in STEM? If you want to explore a more technical approach to teaching, there are a few key factors you should know about. Here are the three ABCs for elementary school STEM education you need to know to get started.
A: Application.
When introducing your kids to STEM, it’s essential to encourage practical applications of what they learn. Introduce real-world scenarios to paint a picture of what STEM looks like in engineering challenges, technological problem-solving, and mathematical applications. Then, use hands-on activities, experiments, and projects to engage your students in their learning. Getting young learners involved with these enjoyable activities captivates and catches their interest, empowering them to embrace and participate in their educational STEM journey. This immersive approach supports deeper understanding and encourages lifelong curiosity and enthusiasm.
Some activity ideas include making slime, DIY lava lamps, and making s’mores with a solar oven! For more ideas, visit the following website: 50 STEM Activities to Help Kids Think Outside the Box – We Are Teachers.
B: Basics.
While engaging in activities, work on building a solid foundation in the core principles of each STEM discipline through your teaching. Ensure your students grasp the essentials before diving into more complex topics and experiments. Make sure you clearly explain the foundational aspects of STEM before going deeper. Establishing your kids with a solid understanding of the basics will pave the way for future explorations into more advanced learning. This emphasis on a sturdy foundation serves as the basis for their expansion of knowledge and future in STEM education.
To solidify the basics, try short quizzes, exit tickets, or class questions and answers using personal whiteboards. You can also engage in more fun activities to emphasize the basics of STEM with the following Science Buddies.org website: Elementary School STEM Activities for Kids.
C: Collaboration.
One of the most critical aspects of teaching STEM to your elementary schoolers is collaboration. Encourage teamwork, group projects, and collective problem-solving in your teaching to promote cooperation. Collaboration stimulates communication, fosters innovation, and expands students’ social skills. Engaging your students in collaborative work enriches their educational experiences and develops their ability to combine the perspectives of the people around them. Collaboration lays the foundation for creative thinking and greater accomplishments in STEM.
To encourage collaboration, put your students in pairs or groups for activities, assignments, and experiments. For a comprehensive list of collaborative activities, check out the following website: 48 Creative Team-Building Activities for Kids.
These three tips make integrating STEM into your elementary school teaching easy. Just follow the ABCs!
We encourage you to consider starting an NSTEM chapter at your school. NSTEM, with its commitment to innovative STEM education, can provide invaluable resources and support. By joining hands with NSTEM, you can help create a brighter future for our children. To get started, explore NSTEM resources to access a wealth of materials and guidance, enriching STEM education in 3-5 classrooms and beyond.
Do you want more resources on the topic of elementary STEM education? NSTEM’s vast resources database provides thousands of searchable STEM resources by category, school level, and state. This comprehensive library includes info on enrichment activities, curricula, internships, scholarships, and more. Check out a free sampling here. Or get an NSTEM membership today to unlock the complete list.
Grades 3-5 continue the STEM education journey, where students are interested in the natural world and in how things work, responding to stories told by teachers that give purpose and meaning to STEM disciplines, which molds them into thinkers, problem solvers, and creators. The National STEM Honor Society sees grades 3-5 as a critical point in the NSTEM journey. To start your grade 3-5 chapter of the National STEM Honor Society, click here.
