A Look at STEM Initiatives for Elementary School

Published On: October 5, 2017

As early as 1985, the publication Education Week ran a piece about a policy forum discussing the value of initiatives designed to improve education in mathematics, science, engineering and other technology-related subjects.

In 2000, then-Texas Governor George W. Bush introduced a plan to promote increased federal student-loan forgiveness for students who majored in those four subjects and taught for at least five years in a high-need school.

In 2005, Reps. Vernon Ehlers and Mark Udall formed the STEM caucus in Congress, and within three years, the expression had become commonplace enough to show up in headlines.

Then, in 2011, President Barack Obama used the State of the Union address to promote and enhance student exposure to the STEM subjects and increase the number of teachers prepared to teach these subjects.

What Are Some STEM-Based Curriculum Resources?

Students interested in studying STEM subjects will not always get the depth of understanding and detail they may need for future success from general education textbooks. It is essential that resources designed specifically for STEM students be made available to both teachers and students as they pursue intense study of these subjects.

Several companies and organizations have taken the initiative to create programs and resources to fill in the gap. For example:

NASA is committed to engaging students in STEM disciplines. Through its engagement and education work, NASA aims to inspire and motivate students to pursue careers in STEM fields. On the NASA Stem Engagement website, teachers can search for lesson plans and resources like Light but Strong: a Lesson in Engineering. In this lesson, students design and build a mobile launcher platform. But unlike typical science textbook activities, there is no step-by-step guide. Students must design the platform based on information about its function and their understanding of scientific and engineering principles.

National Geographic is another source of STEM-based activities:

In Your School: Using a Geographic Perspective, students in the intermediate grades “learn how to use a geographic perspective by asking where and what as they explore the concepts of location and place with their classroom and school.” This activity gets children to be specific about the difference between location and place, as well as using the five W’s to geographically analyze their school and classroom.

Mapping the Classroom, a hands-on activity designed for PreK-1, gives students the tools and information necessary to create a map to discover hidden items in their classroom.

Companies such as E-Line Media, publisher of game-based learning products and services, and The Joan Ganz Cooney Center, an independent research and innovation lab, promote the STEM philosophy by supporting the National STEM Video Game Challenge, launched in 2010 by President Barack Obama. According to the “Games for Change Student Challenge” website, “Since the challenge was launched in 2011, students have designed and submitted nearly 20,000 original games and game design documents over six competition cycles.”

One way that teachers promote independence is by creating workstations where students can learn at their own pace. A favorite activity for students is to access websites such as Coolmath. While teachers are at the ready and available for support, the goal is for students to work out problems on their own or collaborate with other students. The site features games of skill, strategy and logic. Memory, science and geography games are also available.

Resources for Kids

Many students who are interested in one or more of the STEM content areas are self-starters. Some simply enjoy working on their own and some learn better when they have control of the pace and presentation. Here are two of the free online resources which assist the more independent student without delay.

Desmos is a free online graphing calculator that students can use to “see” math.

Many times, students will understand all but one step of a math process. Or they simply need a refresher course. The website MashUpMath provides grade-level video math mini-lessons. Students can, once again, maintain independence, or even branch out on their own, by selecting topics with which they are having trouble or that simply interest them.

What Are Some STEM-Based Resources for Professional Development?

In order for even the most devoted teachers to stay current with the initiatives and newly designed programs for STEM teaching, several organizations have devoted significant efforts to develop resources and professional development modules.

An organization called ASSET (Achieving Student Success through Excellence in Teaching) offers professional development courses designed “to build pedagogical skills and understanding, content/conceptual knowledge and collaborative leadership.” These courses may be cross-curricular or focus on a particular area of the STEM initiative, such as science, math or engineering.

Some of the development opportunities are available on a more local level, like the STEM Ambassador program at the INFINITY Science Center in Pearlington, Mississippi. Workshops provide classroom teachers with additional expertise in a more hands-on approach to STEM subjects.

Why STEM?

According to the National Science Foundation, “In the 21st century, scientiﬁc and technological innovations have become increasingly important as we face the beneﬁts and challenges of both globalization and a knowledge-based economy. To succeed in this new information-based and highly technological society, all students need to develop their capabilities in STEM to levels much beyond what was considered acceptable in the past.” In other words, the need for STEM teachers is on the rise.

Experienced educators interested in pursuing teaching opportunities in STEM schools or programs would be well-served by earning a Master of Education in Elementary Education from Mississippi College. Coursework required for this degree includes classes specifically tailored for those interested in math and science and courses that “serve as a backdrop for learning about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in upper elementary and middle school science.” This master’s degree is the next step toward a rewarding teaching career in the STEM initiative.

Learn more about the Mississippi College online M.Ed. in Elementary Education program.

Fostering Social Skills in Elementary Schools

Educators have many obligations to their students. Beyond the course content and subject-level achievement, teachers offer their students guidance on social and emotional levels that serve them for the rest of their lives. Moreover, these abilities should help students not only in the classroom but in the world outside of it, which presents educators with a significant opportunity.

Why Start STEM Education in Elementary School?

According to The Hechinger Report, children are capable of understanding STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) concepts at a very young age. However, skills in these disciplines “must be developed intentionally” early in life to nurture students’ curiosity and develop their critical thinking skills.

Importance of Reading for Elementary Students

The Center for Public Education states, “Reading is the Open Sesame for acquiring knowledge: learn to read, and you can read to learn just about anything.” Children begin the process of learning to read long before entering school as they acquire vocabulary and background knowledge. But when they enter school, it is not long before they can and must use reading skills and strategies to learn all about the world around them in every subject and content area.

Appreciating Culture and Diversity as a Teacher

The United States Census Bureau projected that the U.S. would become a majority-minority nation for the first time in 2043. The 2020 Census confirms that assertion, finding that the U.S. population was more racially and ethnically diverse than ten years prior. The survey found that the “most prevalent racial or ethnic group for the United States was the White alone non-Hispanic population at 57.8%. This decreased from 63.7% in 2010.” Their predictions also show that the total number of the Hispanics, Black Americans, Asians, American Indians and Alaska Natives and others will grow to comprise over 50% of the population by 2060.

Importance of Math and Science for Elementary Students

It is important for young learners to establish a solid foundation in math and science. In addition to the inherent pleasure students can find exploring these subjects and the self-confidence built by mastery, this essential academic preparation opens doors to financial literacy, critical thinking and healthy decision-making. Moreover, these skills correlate to the health of the nation’s economy, as it relies on a workforce proficient in math and science. With the long-standing reality that U.S. students lag far behind other countries in math and science, it is essential that schools address this disparity in early learning.