Discovery & Exploration
Spend the day digging for fossils, building a robotic hand, or making a volcano erupt—not only will you equip kids with a range of skills, you’ll also instill a lifelong love of learning and an interest in innovation.1
Why Discovery and Exploration are Important
Ages 1 to 3
To prepare toddlers for STEM learning later on, provide them with a4 safe environment that encourages exploration and discovery. Introduce them to cause and effect relationships, like pushing a button to make a toy light up. Use blocks, stacking cups, and puzzles to develop spatial reasoning and sorting.5
Ages 4 to 7
Help them to strengthen observational skills, where they observe, ask questions about, and explain the natural world around them. Basic math, problem-solving, and science skills can all be explored through simple experiments, games, and activities.6 Technology can also be introduced, from learning how to use tablets and keyboards, to beginner coding games and apps.7
Ages 8 to 12
Focus on foundational STEM skills through hands-on learning and scientific investigation, repairing household items, the engineering design process, basic coding, working with robotics kits, broadening their math knowledge, digital literacy for research and communication.8 Encourage them to work on group projects to solve problems collaboratively.9
Ages 13 and up
With college, university and their future careers in mind, they’ll be learning how to solve increasingly complex problems using critical thinking and data analysis.10 Collaboration and communication skills are important in any field, but particularly in STEM fields.11 They may choose to dive deeper into specific fields of interest, but whatever they do, being problem solvers will only help.
FAQ
What does STEM mean?
STEM is an acronym that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It’s a term used to describe education that integrates these four fields to foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation. STEM education aims to prepare students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing technological world and to pursue careers in related fields. It’s often promoted as a way to address the shortage of skilled workers in STEM fields needed for future economic growth and innovation.
FunTech. (2021). What Does STEM Stand for in Education & School? Retrieved from https://funtech.co.uk/latest/what-does-stem-stand-for-in-education-school
Southern New Hampshire University. (n.d.). What Does STEM Mean for You? Retrieved from https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/stem/what-does-stem-mean-for-you
U.S. Department of Education. (n.d.). STEM. Retrieved from https://www.ed.gov/stem#:~:text=These%20are%20the%20kinds%20of,collectively%20known%20as%20STEM%2FCS.
What are STEM activities?
These involve Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics concepts and skills. STEM activities are often hands-on and interactive, including experiments, building and designing projects, coding and programming, and mathematical problem-solving. These educational activities can be tailored to different age groups and levels of complexity, and can take place in various settings, like classrooms, after-school programs, and museums. STEM activities aim to promote critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills, in order to encourage a greater interest in STEM fields.
Scientifics Online. (n.d.). What Are STEM Toys? Retrieved from https://www.scientificsonline.com/page/what-are-stem-toys
What are STEM activities for kindergarteners?
Designed to introduce young children to basic concepts and skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, STEM activities for kindergarteners are hands-on, and interactive. Some examples of STEM activities for these young learners include building and designing simple structures using blocks or other materials, conducting simple science experiments, learning about shapes, patterns, and spatial relationships, introducing concepts through games and activities, and engaging in simple engineering challenges. By helping to foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking skills, kindergarteners can develop a foundational understanding of STEM concepts and skills that can be built upon in the future.
Education Outside. (n.d.). Kindergarten STEM Activities. Retrieved from https://www.educationoutside.org/activities/kindergarten/stem/
Rasmussen University. (2022). 9 Simple STEM Activities for Kids to Try at Home. Retrieved from https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/education/blog/simple-stem-activities-for-kids/
References
1. https://sensorysurroundings.co.uk/blogs/news/discovery-play-discovery-table-activities-educational-benefits-of-discovery-learning-for-children
2. https://soeonline.american.edu/blog/stem-toys/ https://learnatcornerstone.com/what-are-stem-toys/ https://www.baker.edu/about/get-to-know-us/blog/stem-benefits-in-early-education/
3. https://www.baker.edu/about/get-to-know-us/blog/stem-benefits-in-early-education/
4. https://raisingchildren.net.au/newborns/behaviour/common-concerns/overstimulation#:~:text=Overstimulated%20babies%20and%20children%20might,of%20stimulation%20and%20quiet%20time.
5.https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/re/itf09cogdevfdcae.asp#:~:text=At%20around%2018%20months%20of,how%20it%20changes%20the%20outcome.&text=others%202003%2C%2021)-,For%20example%2C%20the%20child%20may%3A,able%20to%20open%20the%20top
6. https://soeonline.american.edu/blog/stem-toys/
7. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/coding-apps-and-websites
8. https://www.baker.edu/about/get-to-know-us/blog/stem-benefits-in-early-education/
9. https://www.invent.org/blog/trends-stem/collaboration-learning-STEM
10. https://sslc-nm.com/blog/4-benefits-of-stem-high-school-learning/
11. https://www.invent.org/blog/trends-stem/collaboration-learning-STEM