STEM education can significantly improve student learning through encouraging critical thinking, problem-solving, and creative skills, as well as providing the systematic tools students need to analyze data and apply scientific methods.

As a specialized academic strand in many education programs, STEM education provides students with the opportunity to explore scientific ideas and apply them into something practical.

STEM students are prepared not only to become analytical and scientific in their approach, but also how to be creative through hands-on learning.

What does STEM mean in education?

The integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into one academic strand is designed to improve students’ problem-solving skills. It not only makes students more competitive in international standardized exams, but also prepares them to be future professionals in various scientific fields. A STEM education makes students more adaptive to the challenges of the modern technological world.

The approach in STEM education emphasizes the following:

• Multisensory teaching and learning
• Multidisciplinary integrated approach
• Applications of knowledge
• Hands-on learning experience
• Critical thinking in assessing information
• Logical and analytical problem-solving skills
• Innovation or creation of new technologies

STEM education is not only meant for those with good aptitude and interest in science, but also for those who want to explore intellectually challenging pursuits. Not everybody will become scientists, inventors, engineers, or mathematicians. However, students who follow a STEM program will be more equipped to solve real-world problems in any field they choose.

That’s because STEM education emphasizes the importance of applying knowledge - and that means the hands-on approach is crucial. Projects can include anything from computer coding, developing simple software applications, and building structures to designing circuits and assembling mechanical devices, including robots. Many of these projects require collaborative efforts, which help students learn the value of cooperation and teamwork.

How STEM impacts student learning

Every student clearly has a different learning style and aptitude. STEM education maximizes the diversity of teaching approaches and adapts to students’ learning styles.

There are ten recognized learning styles associated with various types of intelligence or aptitudes. However, this does not necessarily mean that a student is only capable of one type of learning. All students have the ability to learn in different ways but most can learn more effectively with one or two types of learning style depending on their aptitude and interest.

• Kinesthetic learners - have the ability to learn through physical movement, the so-called muscle memory.
• Visual-spatial learners - need visual stimuli, such as schematic drawings and 3D models.
• Auditory learners - absorb information better through lectures and recorded audio.
• Verbal learners - have strong written communication skills. They learn better with reading.
• Logical-mathematical - potential scientists, engineers, and inventors have strong analytical skills that emphasize the use of logic and mathematical reasoning. Students who learn best in this way can learn even better if concepts are quantifiable and can be summarized into formulas.
• Naturalistic learners - ecologists, biologists, and environmentalists have a good naturalist sense of understanding. For example, they can easily perceive relationships and patterns in the ecosystem.
• Linguistic - students who have a linguistic learning style have good aptitude in learning new languages. They combine both auditory and written words.
• Interpersonal learners - these learners learn better when they are interacting with other students and are often highly sociable.
• Intrapersonal learners - prefer solitary learning. They are more introspective and independent learners.

STEM education offers a wide range of learning opportunities that integrate these various types of learning styles. These apply to both individuals and groups of learners.

These are some of the benefits of STEM education:

1. Opportunity for creativity

STEM education is not all about hard scientific facts and mathematical calculations. Students have the opportunity to be creative in applying what they learn.

2. Creates confidence & resilience

STEM education highlights the importance of being methodical and systematic in approach to tasks, whether it’s a simple math problem or an experimental project. Any success, big or small, reinforces confidence and resilience.

3. Encourages problem-solving skills

Problem-solving is central to STEM education. It encourages students to think innovatively and analytically in solving various types of technical problems. It’s about applying what they have learned in the classroom to something tangible, such as creating new and alternative materials. Problem-solving skills require applying knowledge, gathering data, analyzing data, and trying various approaches.

4. Helps adjustment to change

Discovery and innovation are the highest goals of science, and STEM education is geared towards these goals. Students are trained to be well-adapted to change, whether foreseen or unforeseen, and to always have contingency plans in mind.

Summary

The integrated approach of STEM education provides students with a wider range of knowledge and skills. It develops their ability to solve problems using both theoretical and practical approaches, and prepares them for real-world situations that require them to be creative and think criticallly.

Are you an educator looking for STEM resources for middle school, high school or university? Take a look at Arduino Education kits and how they can support your hands-on STEM lessons.