Why is STEM So Important?

If you're a parent of school-aged children (or possibly even preschool-aged children), you've been inundated with STEM in everything from classroom curriculum, to extracurricular clubs, to summer camp options. STEM - which is typically an acronym used to represent the learning disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and math - has become a more prominent buzz word in the educational (and parental) arena in recent years as a result, at least in part, of a growing number of technology jobs in the US positioned against a lack of qualified US applicants to fill those jobs. Census data from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation in 2010 found that STEM jobs in the United States were on a rapid decline, down from 5.3 to 4.9 percent from 2000 to 2010, representing the largest decline since 1950.

The Problem with STEM

While technology fields continue to grow at light speed, American students are falling behind other industrial, developed countries when it comes to preparedness to enter a technologically-driven workforce. In fact, according to this 2016 article from NY Metro Parent,

"America consistently ranks poorly against its global classmates in STEM subjects, placing 25th in math and 17th in science out of 31 countries ranked by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Only about 18 percent of high school seniors perform at or above proficiency in science subjects, according to the National Math and Science Initiative."

So, naturally, STEM programs have become a focal point in educational programming, and parents now have ample opportunities to introduce their kids to STEM subjects. But how early can, and should, you start making your kids aware of STEM and its impact on their world? Experts argue that it is never too early to start!

Introducing STEM to Our Children

As parents, there are plenty of opportunities to show our kids how STEM impacts daily living - from the weather, to the roads and bridges on which we drive, to how we make dinner each night. But if you're looking for more meaningful ways to engage your child's love for STEM, check out some of the ideas from the Great Kids! site:

• Encourage your children to play with blocks, if that's something that interests them. Block play at an early age has been associated with greater math competencies later in life.
• Get outside with your kids. Exposing them to nature can foster an early love for science.
• Look for STEM-oriented games and toys. Most toy retailers designate STEM toys, but you can narrow down some of the best with this list from PBS.org of the best STEM toys.
• Introduce your children to strategic board games, such as chess (which has also been linked to math aptitude).
• Find movies and documentaries about topics your children are interested in, such as life science, the environment, or animals, and find opportunities to engage in discussion about the "how" and "why" behind the movie theme (i.e. sneak in some science!)

The bottom line is that it's never too early to introduce your kids to STEM topics. For families looking for a more in-depth introduction to STEM for their children, check out Club Z! Tutoring summer STEM programs. Class sizes are small, to engage in more one-on-one learning opportunities, so call 800-434-2582 today to find out if there are still open spots in your town. It's never too early to start a love of learning - particularly for the studies of science, technology, engineering, and math - in your kids!