{"id":39548,"date":"2023-02-08T15:39:14","date_gmt":"2023-02-08T20:39:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/?page_id=39548"},"modified":"2025-05-28T15:44:18","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T19:44:18","slug":"elementary-school-k-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/elementary-school-k-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Elementary School PreK-2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading title_Elementary has-x-large-font-size\" id=\"h-elementary-school-prek-2\">Elementary School PreK-2<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"357\" height=\"357\" src=\"https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/pre-K-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53523\" style=\"width:117px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/pre-K-2.png 357w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/pre-K-2-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/pre-K-2-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/pre-K-2-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/pre-K-2-24x24.png 24w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/pre-K-2-36x36.png 36w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/pre-K-2-48x48.png 48w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/pre-K-2-50x50.png 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 357px) 100vw, 357px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-tabs alignnone\" id=\"grade_3-5\"><div class=\"kt-tabs-wrap kt-tabs-id39548_d98a9e-db kt-tabs-has-6-tabs kt-active-tab-1 kt-tabs-layout-tabs kt-tabs-tablet-layout-inherit kt-tabs-mobile-layout-inherit kt-tab-alignment-left \"><ul class=\"kt-tabs-title-list\"><li id=\"intro\" class=\"kt-title-item kt-title-item-1 kt-tabs-svg-show-always kt-tabs-icon-side-right kt-tab-title-active\"><a href=\"#intro\" data-tab=\"1\" class=\"kt-tab-title kt-tab-title-1 \"><span class=\"kt-title-text\">Introduction<\/span><\/a><\/li><li id=\"students\" class=\"kt-title-item kt-title-item-2 kt-tabs-svg-show-always kt-tabs-icon-side-right kt-tab-title-inactive\"><a href=\"#students\" data-tab=\"2\" class=\"kt-tab-title kt-tab-title-2 \"><span class=\"kt-title-text\">For Students<\/span><\/a><\/li><li id=\"educators\" class=\"kt-title-item kt-title-item-3 kt-tabs-svg-show-always kt-tabs-icon-side-right kt-tab-title-inactive\"><a href=\"#educators\" data-tab=\"3\" class=\"kt-tab-title kt-tab-title-3 \"><span class=\"kt-title-text\">For Parents<\/span><\/a><\/li><li id=\"parents\" class=\"kt-title-item kt-title-item-4 kt-tabs-svg-show-always kt-tabs-icon-side-right kt-tab-title-inactive\"><a href=\"#parents\" data-tab=\"4\" class=\"kt-tab-title kt-tab-title-4 \"><span class=\"kt-title-text\">For Educators<\/span><\/a><\/li><li id=\"blog\" class=\"kt-title-item kt-title-item-5 kt-tabs-svg-show-always kt-tabs-icon-side-right kt-tab-title-inactive\"><a href=\"#blog\" data-tab=\"5\" class=\"kt-tab-title kt-tab-title-5 \"><span class=\"kt-title-text\">Blog Posts<\/span><\/a><\/li><li id=\"video\" class=\"kt-title-item kt-title-item-6 kt-tabs-svg-show-always kt-tabs-icon-side-right kt-tab-title-inactive\"><a href=\"#video\" data-tab=\"6\" class=\"kt-tab-title kt-tab-title-6 \"><span class=\"kt-title-text\">Videos<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"kt-tabs-content-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-tab kt-tab-inner-content kt-inner-tab-1 kt-inner-tab55ce60-62\"><div class=\"kt-tab-inner-content-inner\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/banner-preK.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-54083\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/banner-preK.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/banner-preK-500x125.jpg 500w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/banner-preK-600x150.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/banner-preK-300x75.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/banner-preK-1024x256.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/banner-preK-768x192.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/banner-preK-24x6.jpg 24w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/banner-preK-36x9.jpg 36w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/banner-preK-48x12.jpg 48w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Children in elementary school, defined as grades PreK-5, grow enormously both physically and mentally over these years and the differences between a child in kindergarten and a fifth grade student are dramatic. In order to more clearly serve the needs of these students, educators and parents, the National STEM Honor Society\u2122 has segmented elementary school into grades PreK-2 and grades 3-5.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Elementary School PreK to 2, is about inspiring young students to embrace STEM experiences, to open eyes and minds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:55%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"460\" height=\"340\" src=\"https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29107\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/2.png 460w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/2-300x222.png 300w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/2-24x18.png 24w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/2-36x27.png 36w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/2-48x35.png 48w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 460px) 100vw, 460px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<p>Here, there are no GPA or STEM classroom hour requirements. The required project-based enrichment activities encourage students to be naturally inquisitive about their world through hands-on experiences that engage the five senses, growing curiosity, triggering the joy of learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The \u201cNSTEM from the Start\u201d journey, even at this young age, helps students visualize how science, technology, engineering and math can be fun and exciting. It is amazing how some young students can develop lifelong inspiration and direction from experiences at this influential age.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<p><em>The National STEM Honor Society believes that STEM is an exciting journey through all grade levels, that starts early and lasts a lifetime\u2026 From Pre-K to Career.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-tab kt-tab-inner-content kt-inner-tab-2 kt-inner-tab52edda-c4\"><div class=\"kt-tab-inner-content-inner\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-prek-2-student\">The PreK-2 Student<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"201\" src=\"https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Grades-K-2-Membership-Requirement-Graphic--1024x201.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-35437\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Grades-K-2-Membership-Requirement-Graphic--1024x201.png 1024w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Grades-K-2-Membership-Requirement-Graphic--500x98.png 500w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Grades-K-2-Membership-Requirement-Graphic--600x118.png 600w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Grades-K-2-Membership-Requirement-Graphic--300x59.png 300w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Grades-K-2-Membership-Requirement-Graphic--768x151.png 768w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Grades-K-2-Membership-Requirement-Graphic--1536x301.png 1536w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Grades-K-2-Membership-Requirement-Graphic--24x5.png 24w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Grades-K-2-Membership-Requirement-Graphic--36x7.png 36w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Grades-K-2-Membership-Requirement-Graphic--48x9.png 48w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Grades-K-2-Membership-Requirement-Graphic-.png 1693w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>These students are naturally curious about their world and learn best through direct discovery in hands-on experiences with manipulatives that engage the five senses. They are developing the ability to approach their discoveries logically, increasing their ability to utilize abstract reasoning.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"460\" height=\"340\" src=\"https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29108\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/3.png 460w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/3-300x222.png 300w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/3-24x18.png 24w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/3-36x27.png 36w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/3-48x35.png 48w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 460px) 100vw, 460px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Project based learning enrichment is a powerful engine to expose students to exciting and fun experiences, holding the child\u2019s attention and enhancing retention at a high level for extended periods of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just as with any physical or intellectual pursuit, starting early with a focus on STEM creates enthusiastic interest and a feeder program for later grades with dramatically improved outcomes on the Journey Through the Grades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bo4q6yboONE\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-tab kt-tab-inner-content kt-inner-tab-3 kt-inner-tabf95987-fd\"><div class=\"kt-tab-inner-content-inner\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-prek-2-parent\">The PreK-2 Parent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The key here is to encourage parents and guardians to be actively involved with their child\u2019s exciting STEM journey at the earliest age possible, which helps build an activated community of parents, educators and students. Parents model fun and curiosity by participating in enrichment activities which optimize engagement, promote intrinsic motivation, stimulate a growth mindset, and drive meaningful learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-tab kt-tab-inner-content kt-inner-tab-4 kt-inner-tab54e615-21\"><div class=\"kt-tab-inner-content-inner\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-prek-2-educator\">The PreK-2 Educator<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Encouragement and inspiration are essential for young students to develop a passion for STEM subjects. Importantly, building a story, integrating it into the project based learning creates a continuing interest for these young minds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not all PreK-2 teachers are trained in STEM subjects so it is critical that every PreK-2 teacher has access to training to gain confidence in creating excitement about teaching STEM subjects. Professional development, where teachers are doing the learning is of paramount importance to help the PreK-2 educator make STEM part of daily life for their students. This is where the teacher builds stories, giving students a meaningful purpose to hang on to, making thinkers and creators and not just information consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"460\" height=\"340\" src=\"https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/4-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29109\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/4-1.png 460w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/4-1-300x222.png 300w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/4-1-24x18.png 24w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/4-1-36x27.png 36w, https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/4-1-48x35.png 48w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 460px) 100vw, 460px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The goal is to bring robust STEM education experiences to their students by integrating STEM education into subjects familiar to the educator such as having the students write about STEM subjects! Connecting writing and other disciplines to STEM helps to organize the educational plate integrating everything possible with STEM. Creating multiple entry points as connections to other disciplines, gives students a narrative and context for learning that begins the process of teaching these students how to solve problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-tab kt-tab-inner-content kt-inner-tab-5 kt-inner-tab330803-9c\"><div class=\"kt-tab-inner-content-inner\"><p>[wpv-view name=&#8221;blog-posts-of-a-persona&#8221; persona=&#8221;K-2&#8243;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-tab kt-tab-inner-content kt-inner-tab-6 kt-inner-tab06dd1f-0a\"><div class=\"kt-tab-inner-content-inner\"><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id39548_bde4ff-3b alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-3-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column39548_0af9db-3c\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"tb-youtube\" data-toolset-blocks-youtube=\"1\"><div>[tb-youtube-iframe src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gxhXCXZt8ik&#8221;]<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column39548_2a49f3-dc\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"tb-youtube\" data-toolset-blocks-youtube=\"1\"><div>[tb-youtube-iframe src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fi4yvDhmtc4&#8243;]<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column39548_660e11-9f\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"tb-youtube\" data-toolset-blocks-youtube=\"1\"><div>[tb-youtube-iframe src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ynjoWeUH0oA&#8221;]<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column39548_a124d5-87\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"tb-youtube\" data-toolset-blocks-youtube=\"1\"><div>[tb-youtube-iframe src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bo4q6yboONE&#8221;]<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column39548_aee964-34\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"tb-youtube\" data-toolset-blocks-youtube=\"1\"><div>[tb-youtube-iframe src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/O0fUOMkUiO4&#8243;]<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column39548_17b0e7-db\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"tb-youtube\" data-toolset-blocks-youtube=\"1\"><div>[tb-youtube-iframe src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/m6mBLxR8c8c&#8221;]<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column39548_433007-fc\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"tb-youtube\" data-toolset-blocks-youtube=\"1\"><div>[tb-youtube-iframe src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/StS_VQ8PT9Y&#8221;]<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column39548_fb9c7a-9b\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"tb-youtube\" data-toolset-blocks-youtube=\"1\"><div>[tb-youtube-iframe src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1XFWSNpqlLE&#8221;]<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column39548_56ce4f-02\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"tb-youtube\" data-toolset-blocks-youtube=\"1\"><div>[tb-youtube-iframe src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xN149vrGQGM&#8221;]<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column39548_15a258-48\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"tb-youtube\" data-toolset-blocks-youtube=\"1\"><div>[tb-youtube-iframe src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/swzyYKIgGGk&#8221;]<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a id=\"K-2Button\" class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/nstem.org\/staging\/your-nstem-journey-begins-here\/\">Your NSTEM Journey Begins Here!<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Elementary School PreK-2 Your NSTEM Journey Begins 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