Growing STEM in Elementary Schools
From Rick McMaster
There is an increasing focus on initiating STEM in elementary schools. Here are two recent examples, Logan Township Elementary STEM program puts the focus on engineering and Marlborough looks to expand STEM program to younger students. My personal view has always been that you need to start early and continue through the middle and high schools if we are going to truly address the leakage in the STEM pipeline. As this expansion grows to younger and younger students, we need to remember what this STEM means - an integrated approach to how all the elements of STEM work together, not as separate elements. At the same time we need to look beyond these subjects to keep STEM “real”, connected to the world that students see around them. That means that it’s more than just science, technology, engineering and math but connected to the experiences that students have every day and a way to keep everyone, regardless of gender or ethnicity excited about STEM – whether it’s toys, sports, cooking, the environment, formal and informal educators just need to help make the connection

I believe that teachers, elementary school through high school, find this approach exciting too but we need to help grow resources such as Teachers Trycience and BLOSSOMS so they can easily bring these connections into the classrooms and share their own experiences of what works best. And a great approach to expanding this resource is having future teachers help develop these. More about that in a future STEM Pals newsletter.

Rick McMaster is the STEM Advocate at IBM’s University Programs Worldwide. You can follow Rick on Twitter: @drkold

Back to newsletter