What are STEM Subjects?

STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, and maths and encompasses any subjects that fall under these four categories, such as astronomy, civil engineering, psychology, and many others. It originates from concerns over the lack of young people graduating with qualifications in these disciplines and seeks to attract students to these courses at university. I have teamed up with an independent school in Buckinghamshire to discuss STEM subjects in further detail and suggest ways you can explore it with your children at home. 

As you can imagine, an education in STEM can lead to astonishing career opportunities because it provides young people with a range of transferrable skills, such as teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking and many more. There are lots of things you can do with your child to stimulate their STEM learning and reinforce important skills. As with anything, the earlier you start, the more your child will learn. It’s important to encourage your child to ask lots of questions and foster their inquisitive nature. After all, curiosity is what helps us learn.

Nowadays, there are so many STEM related toys on the market that you can buy for children, but it’s not necessary to spend money in order to get started. There are actually opportunities to explore STEM all around us. Even taking a walk through the park and talking to them about nature or doing a jigsaw together at home are great options. Next time you’re driving somewhere, ask them if they know how the engine works or what makes the car move. When there’s stormy weather, you can discuss what causes it. Basically, the trick is to make these subjects something you discuss in casual conversation from time to time so that they feel more familiar and less intimidating.

Try and encourage them to take part in various different activities and cover a wide range of topics in your conversations, to maintain their enthusiasm. You should also try and help your child understand how each of these disciplines connect with one another and the role they play in the real world. Eventually it will start to come naturally to you.

If you require some additional advice about STEM subjects, don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teachers. They will be able to share some information with you regarding the school curriculum and how they incorporate STEM learning into lessons, so that you can tailor your at-home activities to complement their school learning.