How Can You Integrate STEM Into Your Homeschooling? Check Out These 3 Projects You Can Do At Home.
As a teacher, I have seen the positive impact of integrating STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) into the traditional education system. One thing about these disciplines is that they have multiple direct applications in the real world..
Homeschooling presents a unique opportunity to fully integrate STEM education into the curriculum. STEM education encourages children to think critically, solve problems creatively and work collaboratively. In this blog post, I will discuss how to integrate STEM into homeschool education and provide three STEM projects that you can do at home with your children.
Photo Credits: Anastasia Shuraeva
Understand STEM Education
Before incorporating STEM education into your homeschool curriculum, it's essential to understand what STEM education is and why it is important. STEM education integrates these four subjects to create a cohesive, interdisciplinary approach to learning. STEM education promotes the development of critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills that are necessary in the real world. It prepares students for the rapidly changing world of technology and innovation.
Choose STEM Curriculum or Projects
There are many STEM curricula available in the market that you can choose from to integrate into your homeschool education. These curricula offer a comprehensive approach to STEM education, and they provide everything you need, including lesson plans, materials, and assessments. Alternatively, you can design your STEM projects to fit your family’s needs. Make use of online resources and books to plan and design STEM projects that are fun, engaging, and challenging for your child.
Incorporate STEM into Everyday Activities
STEM education is not just about classroom lessons and projects. STEM is all around us, and you can incorporate it into your everyday activities. Encourage your children to observe the world around them, record predictions, assess results, and ask questions about how things work.
For instance, you can help your child explore basic concepts like gravity by dropping objects of varying weights from different heights.
Now, let's get started with three simple STEM projects that you can do at home with your children.
Photo Credits: Monstera
Build a Tower
Materials needed: Toothpicks, mini marshmallows
Instructions: Challenge your child to build the tallest tower possible using only toothpicks and mini marshmallows. Encourage them to experiment with different shapes and structures to see what works best. Invite them to create predictions about what their tower will be able to withstand.
STEM Concepts: Engineering, geometry, physics
Photo Credits: https://www.learnwithplayathome.com/2015/01/mini-marshmallow-and-toothpick-building.html
Solar Oven
Materials needed: Pizza box, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, black construction paper, tape
Instructions: Turn a pizza box into a solar oven by lining the inside with aluminum foil and black construction paper. Cut a flap in the top of the box and cover it with plastic wrap. Place food inside the box and leave it in direct sunlight for several hours to cook. What can you cook in this oven? Create predictions and test your hypotheses.
STEM Concepts: Physics, thermodynamics
Photo Credits: http://mamaguru.com/how-to-make-a-solar-oven/
Balloon Rocket
Materials needed: Balloon, string, straw, tape
Instructions: Thread a string through a straw and tape it to two chairs or other objects. Blow up a balloon and tape it to the straw. Let go of the balloon and watch it race down the string. Angle the string in multiple ways and create predictions about the efficiency and speed of the rocket.
STEM Concepts: Physics, engineering
Photo Credits: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/teach/activity/simple-rocket-science-continued/
Incorporating STEM into your homeschool education can be an excellent way to make learning more engaging, fun, and relevant for your child. By understanding STEM education, choosing STEM curricula or projects, and incorporating STEM into everyday activities, you can inspire your child to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills.
The three STEM projects mentioned in this blog post are just the tip of the iceberg. Imagine if you can align your yearly goals with multiple projects throughout the year? Proper planning leads to smooth and wholesome living! Here is an invitation to upgrade your Homeschool Life:
Review the current Skills and Milestones Lists for your children’s needs and curate a selection of STEM projects that reinforce these skills to add into your lesson plan.
Feel free to reach out if you need help with bringing this vision to life!
Ms Houlie