8 Benefits of STEM Education

STEM Education is arguably more popular than ever and it’s helping to prepare K-12 youth with the tools to be ready for the future workforce.  Here are 8 benefits of STEM education:

STEM Cultivates Ingenuity and Creativity

STEM encourages the development of new ideas and innovations.  Ingenuity and creativity are the reason why STEM-related fields such as AI and Digital Learning are as popular as they are. Developing these traits in STEM curricula is part of the problem solving process, and it’s helping kids all around the country become better prepared for the future workforce.

STEM Builds Resilience

Problem solving wouldn’t be what it is without failure – and that’s ok.  STEM education stresses failure as a learning exercise in a safe environment.  In STEM education, students learn that they can learn from their failures, and take what they’ve learn to develop a solution for their problem.  This allows students to gain confidence and resilience – which will ultimately lead to success.

STEM Allows for Experimentation

STEM education allows for students to take risks and experiment to solve their problems.  Without risk, some of the most important inventions and innovations the world has seen today would not be possible.  Through a STEM program, K-12 students can experiment on projects to develop solutions to problems. Experimentation promotes creativity, which could lead to incredible creations.

STEM Teaches Teamwork

When today’s K-12 youth enters the future work force, being a team player will be an important aspect of their job. Learning to work as a team to accomplish goals allows students of all ability levels to participate on the project, and encourages students to help each other solve problems.

STEM Encourages Knowledge Application

How many times have you heard someone say “when am I ever going to use this in the real world”? With STEM education, that idea becomes a thing of the past. STEM teaches skills that students can use immediately in the real world that can positively impact themselves or their loved ones. When a student realizes they can apply what they learn to real-world applications, it boosts their confidence and helps students retain what they learn.

STEM Allows Students to Experience Technology

This may seem obvious, but one of the coolest things about STEM curricula is that students actually get to experience technology first hand.  They’re not just reading about it in a book or watching it in a video. They actually are experimenting with it in real life. By experiencing technology, they’re preparing themselves for a future that is more and more technology driven every day.

STEM Trains Students to Adapt

Through various STEM projects, students will run experience roadblocks when trying to accomplish their goals.  How a student reacts to these roadblocks could impact their final results.  When confronted with an issue, students in STEM programs learn to adapt to make sure the problem they are facing is solved. The ability to adapt to the unexpected is a great quality to have, especially in technology related fields that often change as quickly as the blink of an eye.

STEM Promotes Problem Solving

Problem solving is a major part of any STEM endeavor.  By exposing students to a STEM curricula, they gain crucial problem solving skills that will prepare them for future technology related jobs.

Story via The Edvocate