What is STEM?
At it’s most basic, STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. But STEM education is far more than just sticking those subject titles together. It’s a philosophy of education that embraces teaching skills and subjects in a way that resembles real life.
How is STEM Education in Singapore Important?
The key component of STEM is integration. Instead of teaching disciplines in independent subject silos, lessons are well rounded, project and inquiry based, with a focus on interdisciplinary learning. STEM align with the way we work and problem solve in our daily lives. Making it an exceptional way of instructing and learning. With STEM we are teaching skills the way they will be used in the workforce, and the real world. Rarely does a job require only one skill set like math. Picture an architect, they use science, math, engineering and technology to do their jobs. The subjects do not work on their own, instead they are woven together in practical and seamless ways allowing the architect to design complex buildings.
How Will STEM Improve Student Learning?
Simply put, STEM reflects real life.
Jobs in the real world are interdisciplinary. We need to educate children in how subjects integrate and work together. They need to develop diverse skills sets and a passion for exploration and growth. We don’t need children to memorize random facts anymore. We have so many facts at our finger tips now. When I’m having a debate with someone, I can pull out my phone and in seconds have all the facts. Education is no longer about memorizing facts. Instead it is about learning how to think critically and evaluate information. How to apply knowledge, research and skills to problem solve. Skills need to be taught in an applied way, as part of a greater whole, rather than the traditional approach of individual subject silos.
STEM embraces the 4 C’s identified as key in 21st Century education: Creativity, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Communication.
Most importantly, by incorporating inquiry based principles and an highly adaptable framework to suit students of various needs, STEM education helps to foster a love of learning. And the most important gift an education should give a student is a love of learning.
How To Get Your Kids Interested In STEM?
STEM education in Singapore aligns so much with the way children’s minds learn and work from a very early age. The best way to foster a love of STEM is to encourage curiosity. From a young age encourage kids to question, to explore and to play. Find their passions and help them chase those passions. Even if it changes week to week, this is perfectly normal, especially for younger kids. Encourage it. You will be amazed where your kids can go when they become passionate about learning.
From preschool to Primary school to Secondary school and finally, University, STEM education will help children become innovative adults with exceptional critical thinking and problem solving skills. Skills that our future generations will need in our increasingly technology driven world.
