How Elementary-Level STEM Education Creates Future Innovators

When we think of STEM education, we often associate it with the upper-level learning that students have in high school and college. However, some of the most important STEM learning can be done during a student's elementary education. These formative years allow us to lay the groundwork for scientific principles, creative thinking, and scientific problem solving that are integral for advanced STEM education and careers in these fields. In this blog, we’ll discuss the importance of elementary STEM education and some of the careers your child can pursue in the future!

Is STEM Education Important For My Elementary Schooler?

The short answer is yes, absolutely! Elementary years are a critical phase in a child’s cognitive development. Introducing STEM education at this level allows for establishing the foundation of fundamental concepts they’ll use in later STEM education, as well as skills like problem-solving and critical thinking that will benefit them in all aspects of their lives and education. During their elementary years, we are offered a unique ability to spark curiosity and creativity that can carry children through more advanced learning and beyond.

STEM education encourages children to observe, ask questions, and seek solutions. Exposure to this type of learning at a young age fosters a lifelong love of learning and interest in questioning the natural world around us. Through hands-on experiments and activities, students learn how to apply scientific principles to real-world problems and situations. By introducing children to the engineering design process and hands-on projects at a young age, we are able to nurture innovators who are well-equipped to handle the growing challenges of an ever-changing world.

What Careers Can STEM Education Lead To?

The potential career options for elementary-aged children interested in STEM are limitless! When we think of career options for those interested in STEM, we often think of jobs that are reflected in the acronym - Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, like engineering, mathematician, scientist, or anything related to technology. However, the range of careers that branches of STEM stretch into many different areas of interest. If you have visions of your child being a doctor, a marine biologist, a civil engineer, an astronaut, a web developer, or an accountant, a STEM education will be the foundation of their career. Even if your child has an interest in careers that are based in the humanities, they will be able to use the critical thinking and problem-solving skills they learn from a STEM education in any field they pursue.

Where Can I Find Hands-On STEM Activities For My Child?

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 and clubs 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. We also offer STEM summer camp sessions! If you’re already planning on enrolling your child in a summer camp, adding a week of STEM is a great way to begin their exploration of STEM and find their passion! If you’re interested in learning more about our STEM programs and summer camps, get in touch with us!