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Tips for STEM Education at Home from MTS Minnesota Connections Academy
Math and science colleagues, including teacher from Eden Prairie, bring K-12 online students together for STEM Day and offer tips for all.
This week, math teacher Ann Haines and her fellow math and science colleagues at MTS Minnesota Connections Academy, a tuition-free, K-12 online public school, will host STEM Day at their school’s headquarters in St. Paul, offering a variety of fun interactive STEM activities for the school’s students and families to enjoy.
To help promote STEM education outside of the classroom, the teachers share the following tips for encouraging STEM activities at home!
STEM Education at Home
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It’s an acronym we are hearing more and more. STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. No longer are these simply good skills to have, rather, they are becoming an integral part of education and society.
But STEM isn’t something that only educators can offer. On a daily basis, parents have many opportunities to expose their children to STEM-related ideas that can support what students are learning in school. Here are five ideas to get you started.
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1. Think about all of the questions your child asks. Why is the moon sometimes out during the day? How do airplanes stay in the sky? Rather than just give an answer, encourage your child to research information or come up with different solutions for a problem.
2. The next time your child want to make an experiment with flour, food coloring, water and toys—let them. Set up a place for experimenting. Grab a large cookie sheet, some measuring cups and bowls. Put down towels for easy clean up. Add some shaving cream for extra fun.
3. Have neighborhood children often at your house? Have the group create a STEM invention club. Search the web for ideas and offer to help get the group set up with materials.
4. Keep on the look out for STEM-related activities in your community. Visit a local science museum, find robotics or Lego competitions and encourage your child to participate.
5. Express your own interest in learning. Your motivation will go a long way in motivating your child. Be curious. Ask your own questions. Get excited about facts. Have fun learning!
Teaching and encouraging STEM skills will help today’s students be better positioned for a lifetime of success.