The Benefits of STEM Education for Early Learners

Today’s world is filled with technology and innovation. The U.S. Department of Commerce acknowledged that “STEM occupations are growing at 24%, while other occupations are growing at 4%.” STEM education as a whole helps students develop transferable skills that are a priority in any industry.

There are many benefits to implementing STEM education in early childhood programs. It challenges young learners, opens up new areas of exploration and learning, and unites the subjects of math and english.

STEM education is becoming more popular among educators who work with young learners. The integration of science, technology, engineering and math not only excites young minds but also expands their learning opportunities. This leads to the development of “life skills, such as creative problem solving, logic and resilience…The ability to evolve as technology evolves and grows prepares people for success in all endeavors.”

Breaking the Myth of STEM Education: There is No Age Threshold to Learning

It is commonly thought that STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is taught to later grades. There is a preconception that STEM is too complex to be taught in simple concepts to younger students.

STEM does not have to be long mathematical equations. STEM pervades daily life in our natural environment and technology to exist at levels young children can comprehend.

Research on the impact of STEM in early childhood “found that young children are capable of engaging in, at developmentally appropriate levels, the scientific practices that high school students carry out.” Curiosity is a natural precursor to learning for early students. Embedding STEM focused activities that provide hands-on learning approaches to science at our Calgary private school connects with students’ ability to carry out investigations.

Early exposure to STEM is just as important as early exposure to reading. In fact, “research shows that among preschool-aged children, knowledge of math is a better predictor of later academic achievement than early reading or attention skills… STEM habits of mind-such as critical thinking, persistence and systematic experimentation are important across all subject areas.”

Learning the Early Foundations of STEM is Essential for Every Student’s Future

Whether students pursue a career in STEM or not, learning about the environment, how to approach data, the practice of problem solving and engaging in critical entrepreneurial thinking is computable across all industries. At ASASA Academy, our students communicate their findings in groups, facilitate their own science fair projects and engage in consistent talks about the environment. Through the lens of STEM, students are encouraged to grow their communication skills by collecting knowledge to share with their peers.

This skill is known as argumentation. Eric Brunsell, an associate professor of science education and director of the teacher education program as the University of Wisconsin, described learning the skill of argumentation in STEM as,

“The act of arguing is using evidence to support a claim. In the STEM fields, this means using analytical and critical-thinking skills to look for patterns in data, trying to determine what those patterns mean, and then using that data to support a claim. This skill transfers across all disciplines. In an elementary school science class, for example, if you give students a lot of different experiences with noisemakers, everything from tuning forks to speakers to whoopee cushions, they have the experience of collecting data. And then they will be able to use that data to make the argument that sounds are caused by vibrations.”

Learning STEM Improves Language Skills

Communication within STEM relies on students sharing their observations, hypotheses and integrated findings. Research shows that “early STEM instruction results in higher language and literacy outcomes.” STEM connects with language learning outcomes as students vocalize their findings and receive feedback about their ideas.

Within our Calgary private kindergarten and elementary programs, our teachers utilize the complementary skills gained from learning about STEM and the arts to make our students tomorrow’s global leaders.

Top Private Calgary Elementary School

As technology continues to advance and play an increasingly important role in our society, Asasa Academy aims to continue being the leading Calgary private school by orienting our curriculum towards the educational, worldy, and industry trends of this age. According to the School of Education, “early STEM education can promote ongoing academic success, and children who learn STEM concepts throughout their education are better prepared to meet increasingly technology-focused professional requirements.”

Asasa Academy includes early STEM learning for students to gain exposure to the variety of opportunities around them. The critical thinking, logical faculties and exploratory attitudes that STEM-centered learning habituates are essential. Learn more about how Asasa Academy by booking a private tour of our Northmount, Pinetown or Airdrie campuses.