By: Kendall Hunt RPD with contributions from the editorial team
It is essential that students be given ample experiences that will equip them with the necessary skills needed to solve real life problems, gather and evaluate evidence, and make sense of information.
Encouraging interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) has produced positive results for students, especially young girls. Some of the benefits are:
-STEM cultivates critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills that are essential for professional fields and beyond.
-The history of STEM includes inspiring role models who challenge gender stereotypes and show them the possibilities of diverse careers.
-STEM boosts self-confidence and self-efficiency in the related subjects, which can increase academic performance and aspirations.
-STEM fosters curiosity and a passion for learning, which motivates students to pursue further education and opportunities in STEM-related fields.
By introducing girls to STEM at a young age, we create a possibility for them to join these fields in the future. Early STEM education lets girls explore, observe, interact, and discover the world around them, which is essential for their overall growth. Education is the backbone for inclusivity of women in STEM. Not only are girls able to pursue their love for scientific inquiry, but they are engaged in active exploration, observation, interaction, and discovery – which all are imperative to their development. STEM works to provide students with the tools to think critically, innovatively, and to actively contribute to their development. Typically, STEM is viewed as a limiting subject focused on building science and math skills, but the curriculum allows for new ways of thinking, curiosity, and analysis.
Many girls face obstacles and biases that discourage them from pursuing STEM fields from an early age. As a result, women are underrepresented in the STEM workforce, making up approximately one-third of the workers in these fast-growing and innovative fields. This is partly due to the impact of gender interactions on girls’ self-concept and identity formation. To overcome these challenges, STEM education should work to provide children with opportunities to learn in diverse and collaborative settings that foster their interest and confidence in STEM.
There are discrepancies about effective ways to integrate STEM, but educators for STEM and STEAM agree that moving away from rote memorization and siloed subjects and focusing on a project-based curriculum that sparks students’ imagination is the most beneficial to learners.
How should we implement STEM in early childhood education?
There are many ways that an educator can implement STEM in early childhood education. Some of the best practices are:
-Start STEM learning as early as possible, preferably before kindergarten to help children develop executive functions, confidence, and curiosity in STEM.
-Be consistent and intentional in integrating STEM into the curriculum, using interdisciplinary and inquiry-based approach that align with the learning standards and goals.
-Empower educators with professional development, resources, and support to effectively teach STEM concepts and skills to young learners.
-Build a web of STEM learning that connects the classroom, home, and community, and engage parents, family, and other stakeholders in STEM activities and experiences.
How can you encourage scientific interest in STEM for girls at an early age?
If you want to learn more about how to implement STEM in early childhood education, you can check out some of the web search results such as Integrating STEM in Early Childhood Education or How to Integrate STEM into Early Childhood Education. These offer some useful tips and examples for STEM education.
Some of the ways that young students are being encouraged in these fields are:
-Providing them with role models and mentors who can inspire them and guide them in their STEM journey.
-Expose them to a variety of STEM areas and showing them the contributions of women in these fields.
-Challenging the stereotypes and biases that discourage girls from pursuing STEM.
These strategies can help girls and women overcome the barriers they face in STEM and empower them to pursue their passion and potentials in these fields.
In conclusion: It is essential that all students, girls and boys, be given ample experiences that will equip them with the skills needed to solve real life problems, gather, and evaluate evidence, and make sense of information!
Resources:
https://soeonline.american.edu/blog/stem-in-early-childhood-education
https://fyee.asee.org/FYEE2015/papers/5066.pdf
https://www.unlv.edu/news/article/issues-why-stem-education-must-begin-early-childhood-education
https://www.unicef.org/media/84046/file/Reimagining-girls-education-through-stem-2020.pdf
https://www.educationandcareernews.com/stem-education/engaging-girls-in-stem-starts-in-kindergarten/#
https://banyantreekidz.com/blogs/articles/importance-of-girls-in-stem-education#:~:text=Introducing%20girls%20to%20STEM%20education,diverse%20and%20talented%20STEM%20workforce.
