Understanding What STEM Education Is

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

Key takeaways:

• STEM is the intentional integration of science, technology, engineering, and math which creates an innovative, critical thinking environment.

• The STEM learning environment encourages students to investigate and engineer solutions to problems and construct evidence-based explanations of real-world issues.

• STEM education is critical to future job success, as careers in these fields outpace any other occupation category.

• Career earning potential is very high.

• STEM skills are vital for success in many industries and are helpful in all aspects of life.

• Lamad Academy is a great example of a middle school teaching STEM curriculum to create innovative and successful future leaders.

Over the past decade, STEM has been a buzzword around educational circles everywhere. So much so that it’s now become common vocabulary for educators from pre-school to graduate programs. The excitement over this catchy acronym has great merit because of the successful foundation it builds for students.

The STEM movement is a progression toward blended learning and problem solving and it’s been met with palpable success. We will explain what STEM education is and how it prepares students for lucrative careers.

What exactly is STEM?

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. A STEM education embraces the integration of these four concepts. Its curriculum takes problem-solving, discovery, and exploratory learning to the forefront. Students are encouraged to actively engage with all aspects of problems to find solutions.

STEM promotes collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. Science and math are particularly important to this system because technology and engineering are dependent on them.

A whole new way of learning

Traditional learning styles that push simple memorization and recitation of information are not emphasized here. At its core, a STEM curriculum teaches students to think for themselves and abandon their expectations of being told how to solve a problem. These students are built up to a level of mastery of the four disciplines over time, STEM students do not have to have natural aptitudes for these subjects, just a thirst for learning and an open mind.

The keys to a strong STEM curriculum

1. Interactive, hands-on, multisensory teaching approach

Building a stellar middle school STEM education requires interactive, hands-on, multisensory teaching approaches. Instead of lectures or reading, students are given lab work, games, engineering projects, science videos, and group discussions to help them learn.

2. Real-world problems and activities

STEM students are more engaged when they understand how they can use what they learn in the real world. They see that their skills will be useful to solve problems in their everyday lives. Teachers use practice problems and group projects to simulate real-world activities.

3. Tech skills are vital

Technology is a core component of STEM and middle school students are taught to type efficiently, operate a computer, manage computer safety online, and use digital productivity and collaboration tools. Tech skills allow students to be able to learn from home or switch between in-person and remote learning at a moment’s notice.

STEM education and future job success

One of the most important reasons parents and caregivers should consider a STEM education for their children is the tremendous opportunity for future job success. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, STEM occupations are growing at 24.4% versus other occupations that are only growing at 4%. Even in non-STEM careers, STEM degree holders make a higher income. These workers also play a pivotal role in the sustained growth and stability of the U.S. economy.

By enrolling your child in this style of curriculum you are giving your learner an advantage for the future. As technology advances seemingly every day, the already high demand for these professionals continues to climb. Some of the most in-demand careers right now are in computing, engineering, and the physical sciences.

Student-centered platform

In addition to the academic focus on innovation, STEM learning programs provide for a student’s social, emotional, physical, and academic needs through shared support from schools, families, and community partners. With perseverance and support, many students who may have had difficulty with early math or science learning can thrive. STEM takes commitment but it really is for everyone because at its heart it is about critical thinking.

Real-world applications and study methods

By giving your child a solid knowledge base, you’re giving him or her the gift of a solid foundation and bright future. STEM brings creativity, passion, and innovation to learning.

With a comprehensive academic program focused on four disciplines, STEM learners are taught excellent study habits. Also, this type of curriculum follows a “learning by doing” philosophy in which students are actively doing real work in the discipline that they are in the process of mastering.

STEM education is rigorous and requires a lot of dedication, hard work, and sacrifice to complete. This style of education builds the life skills and mindsets that colleges and employers find incredibly valuable, however.

Lamad Academy and the STEM difference

Lamad Academy Charter School successfully and enthusiastically prepares learners through a rigorous STEM-based curriculum that integrates all four disciplines into a single cross-disciplinary program. With co-teaching models, these principles are integrated into all phases of learning and offer instruction in real-world applications.

After everything you’ve read, if you think this curriculum would be a good fit for your middle schoolchild, then consider exploring the Lamad Academy difference. Your child’s STEM future starts at Lamad. Contact us for admission information.