STEAM is becoming even more important for our kids to learn. What is STEAM and how do you help your kids grow in these important tasks? Read on for the most essential tips and activities.
STEAM for Kids
First, let’s answer the most important question of all: What is STEAM?
STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math.
We use the acronym to describe activities that will encourage your kids to grow in any of those areas.
How is STEAM different from STEM?
STEAM just adds art to the mix.
Lots of educators agree that by teaching the arts with the other science and math subjects, the students become more engaged. It helps them think creatively and problem-solve.
Why is It Important?
A well-rounded education is important, so why focus on just science, technology, engineering, art, and math?
It’s important because the workforce is hiring more people in these fields than any other field, and it is projected to grow.
According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, STEM occupations have grown in the last ten years three times faster than non-STEM occupations.
Even more surprising, STEAM occupations are expected to grow by 10% from now until 2020.
When you encourage interest in STEAM, you are preparing your children for success. They will be more likely to study these subjects in college and find a well-paying career later on.
Another reason STEAM is important is that these skills are used in almost every other subject and area of life.
Kids will use STEAM skills in everyday life as they grow.
Taking medicine or caring for your body? Science.
Using machines or tablets in any job ever? Technology.
Building a DIY bookshelf? Engineering.
Try to decorate your home? Art.
Basic budgeting as an adult? Math.
And every single one of these skills encourages decision-making and problem-solving skills. It gives children confidence when they try something, it doesn’t work out, and they learn why and how to succeed next time.
How Do You Teach It To Kids?
As parents, we rely on the teachers to teach these subjects to our kids at school. But there are things we can do together that will encourage interest in STEAM.
- Make it fun. The most important way to encourage STEAM interest is to play games and do experiments. I have a ton of really simple and quick STEAM activities that my boys loved. Learning through play is the most effective way for kids to learn.
- Let them lead. What are they interested in the most? Focus on those kinds of activities the most. If they love building things, keep teaching them how to build. Turn their interests into learning opportunities.
- Enroll in Summer camps. There are more and more STEM and STEAM summer camps. Look for one near you so your kids can learn from other kids too.
- Involve them in decisions. As adults, we make scientific and mathematic decisions every day. Use these as opportunities to teach your kids. When you pay for something with cash, ask them to help you figure out how much change you should get back.
- Keep it on their level. Keep what you teach them at their age and learning level. You can challenge them, but if you present something that is too far advanced they might become frustrated and give up. This is why I always put estimated age limits on my activities. You can also search for activities by age.
Why Was Art Added to STEM?
A question I get asked a lot is why is art in STEM? It used to be all about science and math. Now…art? It doesn’t seem to fit.
Except that it fits perfectly.
Concordia University-Portland sums it up:
The arts (including liberal arts, fine arts, music, design-thinking, and language arts) are critical components to innovation. The concept is not about giving equal or more time to STEM orarts, but to incorporate, where appropriate, the artistic and design-related skills and thinking processes to student-learning in STEM.
When engineers build a bridge, they are creating a design.
When a scientist tries to create a hypothesis, they have to think creatively, of all possible solutions.
There is a proven connection between math and music.
It isn’t so much that we are adding art in. We are including art because it was always there anyway.
Best STEAM Activities for Kids
Now that you know what it is and how to make it fun, let’s get playing! The best activities will be ones that help your kids learn without them knowing they are learning. Hands-on activities that don’t take a lot of set up or take too long to do are the best ones of all.
Here are the most popular STEAM activities on Raising Dragons. Happy Learning!