Brain-Building STEM Activites for Kids

STEM is a popular approach to integrating the disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics during the school year. However, developing ways of thinking that support STEM education can begin with young children at home and school. This article presents simple ways to build skills with STEM activities for kids.

What is STEM?

STEM is an acronym that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. STEM represents an interdisciplinary approach to learning which integrates these four subjects. Typically, a STEM approach includes problem-based learning in which students navigate challenges and activities that require them to apply scientific principles, innovate, use technology tools, and apply mathematical concepts to solve problems. Overall, a STEM approach to education aims to cultivate a deep understanding of scientific principles, technological innovations, engineering design processes, and mathematical applications while promoting critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and career readiness among students.

Why is a STEM education important?

STEM education offers students opportunities to engage in multidisciplinary, hands-on learning and to build 21^st century skills including critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity. In an increasingly technology-driven and interconnected world, children need experiences that will help them to thrive academically and, later, professionally.

How to Introduce STEM to Young Children

STEM projects are implemented in all grade levels, but they are especially prominent in the middle and high school grades. However, young children can develop a mindset that will support them as STEM thinkers who can think across disciplines and collaborate creatively.

As a teacher and a mother who holds science, technology, engineering, and math in the utmost regard, my greatest hope is that I can instill a love for these subjects in my students and in my daughter, Samantha. There are several ways that I try to cultivate a STEM way of thinking in children both at school and home. Try some of these ideas with your own students or children to prime young brains for STEM connections.

Asking Questions

As a teacher and a parent, I’m always looking for ways to cultivate a STEM mindset in my students and daughter, Samantha. She is a kindergartner, so she is naturally very inquisitive. That’s just the right time to captivate children, because they are curious and want to know. We want children to grow into adults who value questions and curiosity.

To encourage Samantha’s curiosity and push her to find her own answers, I ask lots of questions.

• What do you think will happen if _______?
• Why do you think that happened?
• What are some ideas that you haven’t tried yet?
• What did you notice about _______?

The questions you ask your students or children need not be complicated. They just need to encourage further thought and communication on the topic at hand. They could inspire or flow from STEM activities for kids. If your child and/or student is like mine, once the conversation starts, it keeps on going! Aside from scientific inquiry, these questions also encourage the problem-solving skills that will help make our students and children self-sufficient adults someday.

Curiosity

Young children are naturally curious, and many have a particular interest. An appropriate STEM activity for kids could be a local outing. Build off an area of interest with an age-appropriate lesson or learning experience with strong STEM connections. Visit an exhibit at a science museum or take your design question to a maker space. Be sure to call out the connections you see to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics as you learn about and explore a topic of interest together.

STEM Play

At home, I also make it a point to connect Samantha’s playtime activities back to science, technology, engineering, and math, as often as possible. That doesn’t mean that you’ll find her building toothpick bridges from sunup to sundown. Instead, STEM activities for kids could entail more natural endeavors and experiences that relate to everyday play. You’ll sometimes find Samantha engineering furniture for her dolls and action figures. We say “engineering” in my house instead of “crafting.” Encourage students or children to identify a problem, challenge or want (like more doll furniture) and to innovate to solve that problem, alone, with you, or with classmates and friends!

Access to Tools and Materials

Our homes and early childhood or primary classrooms provide access to many toys and materials. Include some age-appropriate materials and tools for STEM activities for kids. Set up a small space that could function as a STEM corner. A small, dedicated space, whether in the classroom or home, can create an inviting and interactive environment where children can freely explore and engage with STEM concepts. Depending on your preference, you could provide guidelines for challenges or inspiration to dive in and create.

The key element of any STEM space is access to materials and tools. Consider including magnifying glasses or a microscope, craft supplies, building materials, and measuring tools. At my house, you’ll often find my daughter measuring things just for the sake of measuring. Measuring tapes are captivating things! Monitored access to technology through a tablet can supplement project work.

Supplies need not be fancy to be effective for cultivating a STEM brain. Recycled materials like paper tubes, a cardboard box, and clean containers are a great and often free material to provide to inquisitive and creative young thinkers.

Media Connections

Let media inspire your future STEM activities for kids. Even movies inspire science experiments in our house. After watching Frozen, we made our own “Instant Ice.” Samantha loved being able to make ice instantly, just like Elsa does in the movie! I loved that she was captivated by science, we got to talk about changes in states of matter, and we incorporated math to figure out the amount of time the water bottle needed in the freezer.

Books and reading experiences can also provide a powerful introduction to STEM concepts. Borrow some books from the library that engage students and highlight aspects of STEM or STEAM: science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics, like these Smithsonian Readers.

Whatever it is that you and your children or students like to do, there are always ways to add more science, technology, engineering, and math. STEM activities for kids can be an integral and fun part of a child’s day at home or school and can build the skills children need to succeed in the future.