7 Ways to Get Students to Fall in Love with STEM Learning

STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) education is here to stay. With the STEM field constituting approximately 25% of jobs in the United States, the need for engaging and exciting STEAM education is paramount for today’s students to shape a successful future. Fostering a love for STEAM not only inspires innovation but also paves the way for students to achieve STEAM Success, ensuring a brighter tomorrow.

Luckily, helping students develop an interest in STEAM is easier than you may think. Children are inherently creative. They are motivated by the rewarding aspect of creating, building, designing, and even destroying things. It’s not hard to harness that interest and foster it in your students when you know exactly what they enjoy about these processes. We’ve gathered tips and resources that will help you do just that!

Start by using our I Heart STEAM Puzzle to collect feedback from students about their love of STEAM. This can help you tailor future STEAM projects to include the aspects your students most enjoy so that it’s relatable to them.

7 Ways to Foster Love of STEM Learning

#1 Connect Learning to Real Life

Is there a bridge in your town undergoing repairs? Has your community weathered a snowstorm that demanded the clearing of highways? Does your neighborhood host local boat or car races?

These real-world experiences can serve as powerful anchors for Successful STEAM Learning. By weaving STEAM projects into the fabric of these exciting events in your students' lives, you can make STEAM not just relevant but relatable. Help them discover the wonders of STEAM by incorporating elements from these areas of interest, fostering a deeper connection between classroom learning and real-life experiences.

#2 Feature STEAM Influencers

Spotlight real world STEM/STEAM influencers that have helped advance the industry. Highlight innovators from a variety of demographics and fields to show your students that everyone can be a STEAM influencer! For added impact, see if any notable STEM/STEAM influencers were born in or around your town (or even your state). Teach your students about these close-to-home innovators!

#3 Leverage technology

In today's world, kids have an unparalleled affinity for gaming and all things tech! Growing up in an era brimming with interactive games and cutting-edge technology that empowers them to personalize, engineer, and craft their own virtual worlds, it's evident that STEAM students' love innovation in every form. To truly ignite their passion for STEAM, it's crucial to leverage this love for technology.

Harness the allure of technology that your school already has access to, and delve into the exciting possibilities it offers. Additionally, explore community or state resources that can provide access to any tech resources you might be missing. By bridging the gap between technology and STEAM students' love for gaming and innovation, you'll unlock a world of STEAM learning opportunities that resonate with their interests and fuel their creativity.

#4 Make it Global

Make STEAM a global experience. With virtual maps, interactive museums and videos filmed around the world, you can give your students the experience of travel without getting on a plane. Look at ambitious architecture around the world (like the Golden Gate Bridge or Leaning Tower of Pisa). Examine populations changes through migration, plagues, and renaissances. Explore how other countries approach environmental and geographical obstacles. The possibilities are endless!

#5 Connect to Nature

Regardless of the specific geographical landscape around them, most students are innately drawn to nature. Allow students to explore and experience the elements of nature via STEAM. Observe the changing seasons through classroom projects. Find new ways to track weather patterns. Help your students discover and understand STEAM concepts through real plants in their ecosystem.

#6 Spark interest through Project-based Learning

Project-based Learning is the secret to nurturing successful STEAM projects that students adore. Research shows that hands-on experience through Project-based Learning creates stronger, longer-lasting connections in the brains of students. Project-based Learning not only yields tangible outcomes but also immerses students in the creation of Successful STEAM projects. Get 17 STEAM Project-based Learning ideas from our STEAM Project-based Learning Resource Kit! If you are ready to get started with a light STEAM project, then check out our free STEAM makerspace library, TinkRpedia. If you'd prefer a more robust project, request an introductory package of LaunchPad (grades 3-8) and dive into coding with a fun, hand-held electronic circuit board.

#7 Incorporate Music into your STEM/STEAM Classroom

The human brain approaches music creation much like it tackles mathematical problems or conducts scientific experiments. This intriguing parallel has led many educators to embrace the fascinating connection between music and STEM education. By harmonizing music and STEAM concepts, you can tap into your students' creativity in remarkable ways. Help them unravel the fundamentals of coding through music using TinkRsynth, an innovative tool that sparks curiosity and ingenuity.

For a deeper dive into this captivating fusion of music and STEAM, explore our comprehensive blog article on STEAM Education and the Music Classroom. In this article, we explored how educators can seamlessly weave STEAM into the music classroom. Gain insights and expert advice from Francisco Dean, a distinguished high school digital music teacher at the University of Chicago's Lab School. Francisco shares invaluable ideas on connecting STEAM and the music classroom, offering practical tips for teaching music within the STEAM framework. Click here to read the article!

In Summary

STEAM Success is within reach, and your students will find enthusiasm in their STEAM education. Demonstrating how fun, creative, and rewarding STEAM learning can be is a journey worth embarking on. By tweaking these strategies and exploring new projects that align with your students’ strengths and interests, you're charting a course towards successful STEM that they'll cherish.

Let's embark on this transformative adventure together, where STEAM Success is the destination, and STEAM students love every step of the way! Don’t forget to download the I Heart STEAM Puzzle and discover what your K-8 STEM students love about learning STEAM.