Introducing Children to STEM in Elementary School is the Key to 21st Century Success
April 15, 2015
COLUMBIA, SC – Young children are naturally curious, and the earlier they can have hands-on learning experiences with STEM, the better you can set them up for success later on in school and in life.
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math, and it has become a big focus in education because having a STEM-educated workforce is critical for the United States to remain competitive in the 21st century.
According to Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW), STEM occupations are among the fastest growing fields in our economy. In addition, the demand for top STEM talent is growing even faster in high-paying jobs outside of traditional STEM occupations. Virtually every industry has a demand for workers who have high levels of STEM competencies.
CEW research also shows there is a big payoff for those who have STEM skill sets. People who major in a science, technology, engineering or math field in college earn more than all other majors over their lifetimes, even if they work in non-STEM occupations.
The irony of these trends is that not enough American students are pursuing college majors in STEM fields to meet the growing demand.
Introducing STEM to Elementary-Age Children is Key
Children in elementary school are the ideal age to introduce and engage them in STEM education:
· The National Center for STEM Elementary Education shares that one-third of boys and girls have lost an interest in science by fourth grade.
· By eighth grade, nearly 50 percent have lost interest in science or decided that it’s irrelevant for them.
· The U.S. Department of Education reports that only 16 percent of American high school students are proficient in math and interested in a STEM career.
Seeking Out STEM-Based Learning Opportunities
For many parents, seeking out STEM-based learning for young children can feel a bit out of their comfort zone. STEM may not have been a focus when they were in elementary school, and it may sound expensive or even dull. Quite the opposite, though. There are fun and affordable ways to get children involved in STEM learning in our community.
For example, Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of personal learning for children, offers fun and affordable STEM programs for elementary-age children, including Robotics, Coding and Math Edge. Available after school, on weekends and throughsummer camps, these programs introduce kids to STEM through hands-on activities and collaborative exercises.
Changing the Future
By the time American kids reach high school, they’ve fallen behind children around the world in STEM proficiency, ranking 25th in mathematics and 17th in science among 27 industrialized nations. That does not mean your child has to follow in that trend. By introducing your child to STEM-based learning early, such as through extracurricular activities and in-school opportunities during elementary school, you can inspire your child to develop critical skills and get on the right path to high-demand careers—all while building confidence and having fun.
Resources
https://cew.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/stem-release.pdf
https://cew.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/stem-execsum.pdf
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2011/08/29/stem-education–its-elementary
http://www.ed.gov/stem
The author is Amy Gardner, President of Sylvan Learning of Upstate South Carolina. With more than 35 years of experience and more than 700 locations throughout North America, Sylvan Learning is the leading provider of personal learning for students in grades K-12. As the leader in supplemental education, Sylvan is transforming how students learn, inspiring them to succeed in school and in life. Sylvan’s proven tutoring approach blends amazing teachers with SylvanSync™ technology on the iPad® for an engaging learning experience. Sylvan programs include study skills, math, reading, writing and test prep for college entrance and state exams. Sylvan is also a leader in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education, offering courses in Robotics, Coding, and Accelerated Math. For more information, call 1-800-31-SUCCESS or visit sylvanlearning.com.
