Importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) In Early Education
Former United States President Barack Obama remarked at a White House Science Fair that Science “is more than a school subject, or the periodic table, or the properties of waves. It is an approach to the world, a critical way to understand and explore and engage with the world, and then have the capacity to change that world…” It is undeniable how essential Science is in shaping and reshaping this world. Other fields that are also crucial for the future of our world include Engineering and Mathematics.
These fields are the major focus of STEM, developed to prepare students and foster critical thinking and reasoning skills in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Rather than teach these subjects separately and distinctively, STEM incorporates all these fields into a fun learning experience, to assist the students in maximizing their potential. It is imperative that children, as young as they are, should be prepared to think strategically and critically, so that they will be honed to become great innovators, educators, researchers, and leaders. This makes STEM very important to be integrated in our educational systems.
Most often than not, STEM is perceived as difficult and boring, but it actually has a lot of benefits. Some of these benefits are listed below.
It boosts confidence
STEM is developed in such a way that it enables our kids to go out of their shell and be aware of their strengths and weaknesses. STEM is also made in such a way that it helps boost our kids’ self-esteem because the curriculum exposes our kids to different activities to aid their learning. In STEM, our kids will also be exposed to various challenges to help them think critically, and deal with the challenges, as well as work with other people. Studies would show that when we meet challenges and solve complex problems, we achieve tremendous boosts of confidence. With this, STEM classes are developed in such a way that they require our kids to communicate their findings, defend their claims, and conduct meaningful discussions, making them exude confidence and self-esteem.
It sets our kids up for great jobs
A study showed that one in twenty jobs is said to be STEM-related by the year 2018. An example of this finding is that engineering jobs will increase by 11%. Besides the healthcare industry, STEM fields are expanding and growing more quickly than any other field. And in a study in publicschoolreview.com, the National science foundation estimated that about 80% of jobs available for coming years will require math and science skills.
It shapes a better world
Since we are teaching kids to think critically and be very innovative and creative early in their lives, we are actually setting them up for bigger platforms in the future. Our kids today will grow into our society in the future. Therefore, it is imperative that we assist them to become good citizens and exemplary leaders in the future. STEM helps our kids discover their strengths and maximize their potentials. This program makes use of our kids’ abilities, and fosters in them inquiring minds, logical and strategic thinking, as well as collaboration skills.
These are just a few of the many benefits of STEM. It is therefore undeniable that STEM is important,, especially in early education, since it pervades every part of our lives and brings so many benefits not just for us and our kids, but for the world as well.
