Starting a National STEM Honor Society Chapter at your school means so many things. It means that you are willing to promote, encourage, and help build a community centered around STEM subjects. You aim to inspire and motivate students to reach their full academic potential in STEM. Many benefits come along with starting a chapter. Listed below are just a few of what we have to offer.
Recognition
The first and most obvious advantage that comes with starting a chapter is that students will have a chance to be recognized for their accomplishments in STEM. Recognition is a key motivator, especially for younger students, that can push them to learn and improve at something. Providing steady encouragement to high-achieving students for their STEM performance and leadership will serve to shape the next generation of critical thinkers, innovators, and problem solvers. Educators will also have opportunities to prove their excellence and be recognized for their contributions to the instruction of all grade levels.
Project-Based Learning
This is a style of learning that NSTEM is committed to. Project-Based Learning ignites an enthusiasm for teamwork, communication, and creative thinking. At NSTEM, Project-Based Learning is essential, and starting a chapter will help introduce students to what it is and how it benefits them. Not only will it accelerate passion through collaboration which will lead to engagement in STEM subjects, but it will also hopefully create a lifelong passion for all things STEM-related.
One of the other amazing advantages that starting an NSTEM chapter provides you with is the ability to give educators and students the tools they need to compete and lead in the 21st century. These tools are stored in an incredibly extensive resource library that is exclusively available to members. It contains hundreds of STEM scholarships and grants as well as curriculum, events, and awards. There’s something for every state and every grade level. Access to these resources is invaluable for students, whether they are hoping to become influential in STEM fields or just beginning to explore STEM.
Preparing for the Future
Finally, the most important thing that NSTEM aspires to do is to prepare students for the challenging but exciting path that’s ahead of them. Starting a chapter will allow students to build skills that they will need in the workplace and other academic pursuits. It will also help lay the foundation for rewarding career opportunities in the future. Furthermore, it will give students the support system they need and deserve throughout their educational journey so that they can eventually apply that knowledge.
Overall, starting an NSTEM chapter has various benefits. An additional perk that wasn’t listed above: Elevating your school’s appeal for STEM-focused students. There’s also an easy-to-use web-based collection of tools in the Advisor and Student dashboards that will help you make the most out of your membership. NSTEM also has an online store where you can purchase custom designed merchandise to promote and recognize your chapter members. With all these benefits, choosing to start a chapter is an easy decision!
By: Anumita Basani
August 2021
