So, what is STEM?

STEM education is such a buzzword.  So, what does it mean?  How does it impact kids education?

The acronym STEM has been around since 2001 and stands for Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics.



The idea behind STEM is to encourage a curriculum that is driven by problem-solving, discovery, exploratory learning, and requires students to actively engage in a situation in order to find its solution.  The need for STEM education has been driven by the business community, with the need for a workforce that can engage in content that is interwoven, and not experienced in isolation, where ideas can occur and be blended across the curriculum. 

STEM schools are gaining popularity, but giving your kids a STEM experience can be brought into your home as well.  Looking to educate your kids this summer without letting know that they are learning?  It's probably simpler than you think.  Take your kids to a beach and go on a hunt for tracks. Measure them. Discuss what the animal might have been doing when it made the tracks.  Count the claws and/or toes. Discuss webbing.  After you've tried to identify the animal, go home and look it up on the computer to see if your guess was right!

How can you incorporate STEM education into your summer?!