With the popularity of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education in school, you might wonder what you can do at home to boost a child’s sense of curiosity and ability to problem-solve. Good news: Parents can plant “STEM seeds” early — and there’s no need to be a math whiz or science buff to explore STEM topics with kids. Here are ideas for kids all ages:
- Help build STEM language. Encourage little ones to notice surroundings, ask questions and pay attention to details. Observation is a critical science skill, so challenge your child to think about what she’s doing or seeing in the world around her.
- Watch fun science videos together on YouTube. Some standouts include NatGeo Kids Cool Science Experiments (www.kids.nationalgeographic.com) and Bayer’s Making Science Make Sense videos. Visit www.makingsciencemakesense.com/science-library/answers for family-friendly videos where kids get the low-down on topics such as What Makes a Curveball Curve?, Why Do Ice Cubes Float?, When Do Fish Sleep? and What Is a Shooting Star?
- Encourage participation in STEM clubs. Find Lego Builders Clubs at elementary schools and local libraries. Many schools and organizations offer afterschool coding, web development, engineering, and robotics clubs for middle school and high school students. Check out Girls Who Code (www.girlswhocode.com), which offers afterschool and summer programs for girls in grades 3–12.
- Challenge kids to teach themselves. Many online opportunities exist to help kids boost technology skills. They can learn to code at www.Code.org and www.Tynker.com; create games and animations at www.Scratch.mit.edu; build a website using WordPress, where they can upload photos and videos; and use the open-source MIT App Inventor to create software applications.
- Read with your kids. Books open kids’ eyes to new ideas and fresh perspectives, and introduce them to unsung heroes/heroines and unfamiliar places. Find suggestions for awesome STEM-focused books and activities at www.sandiegofamily.com/for-the-kids/book-multimedia-reviews.
- Tap into your personal and professional network. Connect your kids with professionals you know who have STEM-related careers. Invite them over for casual conversation during a family dinner. Doing so gives your kids a better understanding of career possibilities, such as civil engineering, computer programming, architecture, financial planning, environmental science or veterinary medicine.
- ONLY IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY: Bring science to life with fun family outings. Visit a Palomar College Planetarium in San Marcos, Fleet Science Center, San Diego Model Railroad Museum, Maritime Museum of San Diego, Birch Aquarium, Mission Trails Regional Park or Palomar Observatory. Explore STEM concepts though hands-on exhibits, demonstrations and interactive experiences. While in nature, take a notebook to record observations or sketch pictures. Learn about these awesome local spots and more in the article Fun San Diego Learning Adventures.
Southern California is rich with educational micro-adventures! Read “8 Fun Spots that Expose Kids to STEM Learning” for more ideas at www.sandiegofamily.com/things-to-do/out-about/expose-kids-to-stem-learning. - Encourage your child’s interests. Does she enjoy building model rockets or playing with gears? Buy a science kit for her birthday. Does she love to cook? Dig into the chemistry of cooking by researching culinary science questions such as, why do apples turn brown after they’re cut?
- Participate in STEM events. Your child’s school might hold family math night, science fairs or tech nights. Make it a point to go together, participate in activities and ask questions to help connect your child with STEM concepts. Gaze at the stars at Fleet Science Center with members of the San Diego Astronomy Association. Check the schedule at www.fleetscience.org.
- Create a “maker box.” Stock up on supplies that encourage creativity, building and invention. Some ideas: small cardboard boxes and tubes, PlayDoh, PVC plastic pipes and connectors, Lego bricks, string, wooden building blocks, Duct Tape, Lincoln Logs, pipe cleaners, etc. Learn how to make a box oven or pizza box solar cooker at www.sandiegofamily.com/for-the-kids/family-science.
- Assign a tech role. If your child has a knack for technology, ask for her help with your smartphone or ask her to demonstrate how to download photos to your laptop. Dub her your family’s tech guru to instill confidence.
- Plant a garden. Get down and dirty with your kids as they learn about science and math from gardening. They can calculate how big the garden plot should be, measure the planting depth of seeds, chart the growth of a tomato plant, record the weekly rainfall and predict which plants will yield the most produce. Talk about the life cycle of a plant, discuss photosynthesis and identify parts of a plant from seed to stem. No space for a garden? Learn how to plant a patio garden at www.sandiegofamily.com/for-the-kids/family-science.
More STEM Resources for All Ages
Bring Science Home
At-home science activities for ages 6-12
Curiosity Machine Challenges
Hands-on engineering challenges for ages 10 & up
Exploratorium
Hands-on science and math activities for ages 12 & up
Science News for Students
Teen-friendly science articles and resources
Young Scientist Lab
Family activities from 3M and Discovery Education
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Lisa Beach is a freelance journalist.
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