STEM and Robotics for kids
The world is constantly evolving and changing with education catching up with the latest methodologies to teach kids new skills and knowledge during their growing years.
In this chapter we will talk about a new branch of education called STEM which encompass the learning of science, technology, engineering and mathematics which has proved to play an important role in sustainable economic growth in the United States of America. The STEM method helps improve scores of young people with disciplines relating to science and innovation.
In this article we will show you how STEM works and its impact on kids when it is combined with Robotics, which is an important platform in applying the STEM learning method, making learning fun and effective.
This kind of education looks to create a generation of young professionals capable of innovation with creative problem solving skills and face challenges head on, increasing their probability of succeeding in life.
What is STEM Education?
The acronym STEM which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, which are important disciplines that are used widely. However, what does STEM education really mean?
STEM is more than just the combination of these 4 disciplines, it is also about the development of creativity and technical skills with logical thinking in kids that will help them steer towards a successful and brilliant future.
STEM includes different scientific and numerical content using an analytical process that emulate engineering thinking in its approach tackling challenges similar to building structures like bridges, roads or buildings. STEM also cultivates the culture of forming new ideas and flexibility in problem solving.
It is very difficult to learn mathematics for many students around the world, especially those within North America school system. This is why applying STEM as a subject matter will not only allow them to explore mathematics from another perspective but teach them to overcome difficulties with the combination facing down real problems with the application of science and technology.
All of this is possible thanks to the fact that science is in every little thing around us, and for that the STEM study system use real life situations which make of this a very effective technique helping kids learn, appreciate and apply what they learn in math and science. This may help and influence kids to take the leap towards a career related to STEM in the future. Such jobs will always be around as humans will need STEM thinking to solve problems well into the future. In fact, as science and technology becomes pervasive as it evolves at a rapid pace, it will become necessary for everyone to have some STEM skills in the future to guarantee a well-paying job. The best way to introduce STEM to kids is during the early stages of the child’s development when they are curious and keen to absorb like a sponge.
Who is the STEM study program for?
One of the best aspect of STEM study program is that it is not limited to any one type of student. Essentially, anybody can learn with they are willing to. It does not discriminate, whether one is a minority, of a different race or gender. Every kid is capable to STEM learning in various extent.
We have seen how STEM is becoming an indispensable education study program in countries like the United States and China, among others, with the vision that the rest of the world will follow suit in future.
STEM is not just a program to be applied in the schools, the learning can go on at home with their parents’ help and encouragement. In this way, the kid’s decision making ability is trained in various setting, planting the seed for them to have extracurricular activities that will help them develop broader STEM skills in a shorter amount of time.
How to take advantage of robotics for STEM education?
Robotics has all necessary technologies to support the STEM education, making the learning process more fun and dynamic for both younger and advanced students.
Applying the robotics in the STEAM learning model for kids ensure the implementation of the 4 disciplines in this education system is covered. In fact, such a subject matter will be less boring and more interesting compared with regular subjects in school.
STEM programs that include robotics in their study plan will benefit kids by imparting engineering fundamentals such as how mechanical systems works, basic programming knowledge, soft skills like team work as well as the ability to lead a project and get it done successfully.
STEM uses robotics not only as a tool but as a way to foster creativity with the ability to come up with innovative ideas through tasks that require design, structure and digitized modeling.
It is necessary that institutions introducing STEM education have all the required technology as well as trained teachers to implement a STEM module. This will require a high level of commitment from educators as they need to be updating the knowledge and the tools needed to apply STEM learning.
Each robot or technology used in the STEM learning process is design according to student’s age, needs and aptitude. The exercise and problem statements can be more complex as the student master more skills along the way. The idea is to teach kids at a pace comfortable to them so that they will make progress in more motivating and less dreadful way.
