STEM is the big buzzword in education these days and for good reason. In our technologically advanced society, our kids will need to have a good background in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Jobs of all sorts, not just research or engineering, will require some technical skill or, at least, comfort and familiarity.
Schools, public and private, are throwing lots of money into computers, iPads, smartboards, and STEM programs. This might cause homeschooling families to think that they can’t keep up. This isn’t true.
There are many ways that homeschooling families can add STEM resources to their children’s education. Some are quite simple and some require a little creativity or legwork, but are so worth it.
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STEM Kits
Right now, there are many companies catering to the wants and needs of homeschoolers and families who are looking to enhance their child’s STEM exposure outside of traditional schools.
EEME is one of those companies. EEME provides online electronics lessons and the kits to go with them. You can choose a single kit or a subscription. Based on our experience, I recommend the subscription. The kits build on one another and let the kids grow a platform of basic electronics knowledge with practical application. You could easily use the EEME subscription and lessons as a hands-on STEM curriculum.
Age Appropriate Engineering Projects
When you mention engineering projects, many people envision large-scale, complicated structures like bridges and dams. We can do engineering projects at home that are just as impressive when scaled down to a child’s age and ability.
You can start out with a simple building project using household items. One of my favorites is to create strong stable structures using only paper and a limited amount of tape. Another great activity is to create straw rockets. These projects allow kids to get creative and use their growing knowledge of how things work. The more they try these types of hands-on projects, the more comfortable they get with building and concepts of materials and physics without ever cracking a book.
For more engineering project ideas….
Learn Computer Coding
Our technical world runs on computer codes. It is the language all of our devices speak. But, how do we teach it to our kids when we don’t understand it ourselves?
My daughter showed an interest in computer coding in about the 5th grade. I was thrilled, but clueless. Someone recommended the book Help Your Kids With Computer Coding from DK Publishing. It is an easy to follow book that my daughter worked through by herself. I really did nothing, but admire her work and progress.
The book walked her through the basics of Scratch and Python programming languages and led her through simple programming activities that build her confidence and made her hungry for more.
On our quest to find coding curriculum for homeschool students that appealed to my daughter we found Youth Digital’s Mod Design. This curriculum uses minecraft to teach Java coding. Brilliant! It was a hit!
More STEM Ideas
I am constantly adding more STEM ideas onto my Pinterest boards. Follow me on Pinterest so you won’t miss a thing!
How do you introduce STEM to your kids? Give me some more ideas!
Brandi revis says
April 6, 2017 at 10:24 amI tried to follow on Pinterest it said not authorized. How do I go about doing this subscription to this? Is it like an actual physical kit you get in the mail or fully online.