Getting children excited about school and learning new things can be a challenge for many parents, so know that you’re not alone when it comes to finding ways to interest your child in developing their education. You may find that it is easy for you to encourage your son or daughter to spend time doing beneficial activities that they enjoy, such as physical activity or reading, but it’s more challenging when it comes to subjects they find difficult.
The most common subjects children find to be demanding are science, technology, engineering, and math. These subjects are interconnected, so they are grouped together under the abbreviation “STEM.” By becoming interested in STEM, your child may go on to be a doctor, physicist, engineer, or web developer. With this article, we will provide parents with five ways to get kids interested in STEM learning.
1. Visit a Museum
One way to get your child into STEM is to take them to a museum in person. Although learning about science, technology, engineering, and math in a classroom setting or through a TV show is important, it’s a whole new level of learning when you can experience these subjects in real life. Many museums understand the curious nature of children, so they often provide interactive ways of learning.
An added bonus is that going to a museum will allow you all to get out of the house and spend time together as a family. Most importantly, it will show how much you value education as a parent, which may be all that’s needed to get your child interested, too.
To get started on planning your visit to a STEM-themed museum, here is a list of popular places to consider:
- Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., and Chantilly, VA
- Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
- The Lancaster Science Factory in Lancaster, PA
- Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburg, PA
- The Franklin Institute Science Museum in Philadephia, PA
- Da Vinci Science Center in Allentown, PA
- Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts in Harrisburg, PA
Taking your child to a STEM-themed museum will make learning more memorable and enjoyable, and it can help your child see how these difficult subjects have been critical for real-life situations throughout history. This information will help them understand why it’s so important to get into STEM learning. If you are not in a position to physically go to a museum, many locations provide virtual tours you can enjoy from the comfort of your home.
2. Explore the Outdoors
Stepping away from TV shows, video games, social media, and other forms of entertainment is a great way to get your child into STEM learning. According to the American Psychological Association, spending time in nature is important for mental health and improves cognition. It’s also one of the best (and often free) resources parents have at their disposal to teach about science and other important topics.
To get your child interested in STEM learning, take the time to teach them about outdoor topics. You will be surprised to see how many ways STEM and the environment are connected! Here are some examples of activities you can do with your child:
- Enjoy a bike ride or go on a field trip
- Talk about the water cycle and how clouds form
- Go on a hike and identify rocks along the way
For more STEM-related activities with your child in nature, you can learn how to explore the outdoors during all seasons throughout the year.
3. Attend a Summer Camp
Summer camps have been around for decades, and with good reason, as they provide a setting for children with countless benefits. Aside from being a fun vacation, summer camps allow children to learn social skills with their peers in a safe environment. These summer camps expose children to the world around them and can last for various periods.
If you don’t feel comfortable sending your child to a summer camp where they’ll be away from home for anywhere from a few days to the whole summer, there are virtual camps available. Here are a few virtual summer camp options that you can use as a starting place:
Educational summer camps provide parents with the perfect way to help their children continue to learn and grow while having the time of their lives. Most importantly, summer camps expose your child to new activities, promote independence, help them develop lifelong skills, and get them interested in STEM.
4. Watch an Educational Show
If you want to keep things simple while still getting your child excited about STEM, then educational shows are the perfect option for you. Watching an educational movie or TV show is a great opportunity for you and your child to grab a bowl of popcorn and snuggle up on the couch with a fuzzy blanket while learning new and exciting information. There are countless shows available that will teach children about STEM in an engaging way.
Here is a list of classic and new educational shows you can find online or on most streaming platforms:
The fascinating facts that can be learned from educational shows can help your child find an interest in STEM. After watching the show, take the time to talk about it with your child. Discuss the favorite things you both learned and why they stood out.
5. Embrace Curiosity
Another simple and vital way to get your child excited about STEM learning is to encourage their curiosity. This method can take several forms, such as encouraging them to ask questions, helping them learn how to problem-solve, or embracing roadblocks they run into as an opportunity to enhance their investigative nature.
Another great way to get your child interested in science, technology, engineering, and math is by signing them up for a club. Most clubs are free or cost very little money to be a part of, and the benefits of having your child in a club are priceless. This fact is especially true with STEM clubs because they expose children to a different way of thinking and foster creativity and curiosity.
Learn More About How CCA Encourages STEM Learning
If you’re wondering how to get your child into STEM learning, then look no further than Commonwealth Charter Academy (CCA). We provide our students with various programs and mediums to get them excited about science, technology, engineering, and math. Our well-qualified teachers devote their time to inspiring learning. Students are always encouraged to expand their understanding through participating in clubs and competitions.
With our CCAWorks® initiative, we help students gain the important STEM skills they may need in their future careers. We offer various hands-on learning programs, including AgWorks at CCA®, TechWorks at CCA®, and MedWorks at CCA™, to support career preparation and readiness.
To find out more about CCA and how we can help you motivate your child to become excited about STEM learning, feel free to contact us today.
