As the world’s demands for careers in STEM continue to expand, the presence of STEM education in schools continues to grow. While receiving STEM education inside of the classroom is critical, supplementing your child’s education with hands-on STEM learning provides a wealth of opportunities that can expand your child’s understanding and enjoyment of STEM. In this blog, we’ll talk about some of the ways that hands-on STEM learning can supplement your child’s education!
Why Explore STEM Outside Of The Classroom?
Why is it important to explore STEM concepts beyond the confines of textbooks and lectures? The answer lies in the unique benefits that hands-on, experiential learning offers. Allowing your child to have educational experiences outside of the classroom can help them understand their learning style, be exposed to new people and ideas, and explore their creativity and innovative skills. Here are just a few ways in which our STEM programs extend learning beyond the classroom walls and can set children up for success in their future endeavors:
Real-World Relevance
One of the primary advantages of hands-on STEM learning is its ability to connect abstract concepts to real-world applications. Through activities such as building robots, conducting experiments, or designing structures, children gain a deeper understanding of how STEM principles impact the world around them. This tangible connection fosters curiosity and excitement, inspiring students to explore further and pursue STEM-related careers.
Exposure to New Experiences
While the classroom provides a lot of educational opportunities for students, STEM programs provide students with a unique opportunity to explore new experiences and step outside of their comfort zone when it comes to the way they learn. Classrooms have typical limitations based on their size and being in the middle of a school day, whereas, after-school STEM programs are able to break the mold of what STEM education can look like. Additionally, STEM programs outside of school give your child the chance to meet new people and make new friends.
Creativity and Innovation
STEM education isn't just about memorizing facts and formulas; it's about fostering creativity and fostering a culture of innovation. Through hands-on projects, children are given the freedom to explore, experiment, and invent. Whether they're designing new technologies, conducting experiments, or finding new questions to ask, students learn to think outside of the box and push boundaries.
Where Can I Find Hands-On STEM Programs Near Me?
If you’re looking for programs to supplement your child’s STEM education at school that focus on hands-on learning and collaboration, look no further than The Police Activities League of Egg Harbor Township and Atlantic County! We offer a variety of STEM workshops, clubs, and research throughout the year if your child is interested in learning and experimenting without the pressure or commitment of a competitive team! For children who are interested in competing, PAL has its own competitive robotics team and hosts STEM competitions throughout the year. If you’re looking to get your child started right away, we have STEM summer camps for children in 1st through 12th grade! If you’re interested in learning more about our STEM programs and summer camps, get in touch with us!
Comments