A Parent’s Guide to STEM Summer Camps: Choosing the Right Program

Written by Nhon Ma, CEO & Co-Founder at Numerade.

There’s little doubt that our world keeps getting faster and more digital. The rising popularity of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) is a natural and needed response to this trend. As the number of career opportunities in these fields keeps growing twice as fast as the average, STEM dominance is here to stay.

Today, children can see the footprint of science virtually everywhere they go, piquing their natural curiosity. Ultimately, deepening STEM knowledge never goes to waste – even those that don’t end up pursuing a degree or career in the field benefit through developed curiosity, analysis, and critical thinking skills.

However, children might not have the best resources, support, or conditions to develop a truly close connection with STEM at school, especially when learning online. This is why summer is a great time to advance learning, catch up with the more challenging subjects, and even explore new scientific areas in an engaging way.

From all the summer camps out there, how can you – as a parent – help your child pick the best option?

Prep your child for success

The starting point should always be understanding your child’s interests, as they strongly affect the value they get from the summer camp. Sometimes, this can be as simple as having a conversation about their hobbies, strengths and goals for improvement, or even their book choices. Remember, if your child enjoys the experience, they will be more likely to develop their excitement for that specific STEM area which will benefit their studies throughout the upcoming school year.

If your child’s interests match next year’s curriculum, even better. Practicality may be a surprisingly decisive factor for many students: By marrying interests with subjects that will be useful in the school year, your child can enjoy the idea of less work next year and the ability to shine among their peers.

Rather than overwhelming them with abstract concepts, STEM programs let students approach learning in a more actionable and practical way, so they present a unique chance to grasp a topic in a brand new way. Instead of camps with a broad curriculum, it may be worthwhile to explore those with a more narrow focus on specific subjects, prepping them for what they will need to know at school.

Look for quality educators

It’s no secret that many students consider STEM difficult, a factor that often discourages them from exploring it further. This is why, perhaps even more so than in other fields, there need to be quality educators that can guide young students through the lessons in a stress-free and enjoyable manner.

When comparing different summer camps, always take a moment to look at the educators’ credentials – particularly at their past experience and whether they work at a reputable institution. Then, if you can access some of the classroom materials they use, you can evaluate their approach as well.

Teachers have the ability to broaden horizons and even become role models, so don’t underestimate the value of a quality educator. Actually, research from Opportunity Insights supports this: It found that exposure to innovation substantially increases the likelihood that children become innovators in the future.

Consider learning style and formats

Despite what we might believe, there’s no such thing as “being a math person”. It takes engagement and active effort to develop a better understanding of STEM subjects – and learning styles play a key role in this. From in-person experiences to digital summer camps that require only half an hour a day, identify which modality fits your child best.

If you’re leaning towards digital options, you can choose between synchronous and asynchronous programs. The latter offers time flexibility and might be a great option if your child has other summer plans but wants to balance them with some STEM education. Without a strict schedule, they can work through the lesson at their own pace or revise an unclear subject while still enjoying some level of online community interaction.

Lastly, no matter whether in-person or online, always see what the learning delivery will be like. To spark passion and capture the attention of young learners, the content should be interactive, bite-sized, and engaging. Factors like time with the educator or the usage of videos and learning platforms are certainly worth looking at.

With the democratization of education, paying more doesn’t necessarily mean a better summer camp. So, carefully assess different factors and – in addition to that – always make sure to read reviews, check social media platforms, and ask other educators and parents for their recommendations.