What is STEM? Science, Technology, Engineering & Math

STEM is the acronym for the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The STEM curriculum is now the umbrella term for the four well-known subjects or disciplines. It became a widespread programme of today as it involves an extensive range of professions. 
Other than that, the combination of STEM education resulted in an impressive growth of STEM professionals which is very crucial nowadays. It is a hope that the younger generation will also join the growing STEM workforce. 

What skills does STEM education promote? 

Due to the enormous scope of STEM, it also develops an extensive range of skills. Therefore, if you allow your child to study under this programme, then they will be able to master the following skills:
Logic and Critical Analysis. The STEM curriculum enhances observations, investigations, and analysation skills. It allows your kids to use logic, reasoning, and rational interpretation. Other than that, STEM education enhances your kids’ analytical skills in any situation. 
Creativity and Innovation. The STEM subjects can train your kids to discover, build, and design independently. They can create new inventions and platforms that might help society. Also, the STEM curriculum encourages your kids to bring out new ideas from the current information they have. 
Problem-Solving. The STEM curriculum allows your kids to gather and analyse data before deciding. It teaches them to break down ideas and systems to make better assumptions. Through this, your children are ready to solve problems and complications without any hesitations. 
Independence. Your children have the freedom to work on their own under the STEM curriculum. They can think and do tasks alone freely. It helps your kids to focus on the areas they are working on. 
Communication and Social Skills. STEM also promotes teamwork as it helps your kids to participate in different projects. It also allows them to contribute to others’ ideas to ensure a better outcome. 
Digital Literacy. In STEM education, they can understand technology well significantly. The curriculum educates them about the online and digital pros and cons and applies them to different circumstances.
Technical Skills. Troubleshooting and solving technical problems are also part of the STEM curriculum. So, your kids are enhanced to prepare themselves for any repairs or renovations. 
Through all these skills, it is evident how vital STEM skills are for 21st Century learners. However, it does not only cater to your kids’ competencies but also to worldwide advancements. 

What can STEM education build?

STEM programs can build a nation and even cause global growth. With technology progressing today, a vast workforce in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is necessary. The STEM fields serve as the umbrella of all other careers and professions today. In that case, the STEM curriculum should further expand. 
Besides that, large countries like the USA, UK, and Germany face a lack of people for STEM. Like them, some countries also encounter low enrollees for STEM. It might take immense damage to the future’s technological innovations. So, authorities are even buckling up the education system to highlight STEM.
Individuals skilled and experienced in STEM fields would help human development further. It could even enhance the quality of life as it discovers new solutions to global problems ranging from agriculture, medicine, social sciences, and other professions. So, a pool of human beings with STEM competencies would elevate through technological innovations, using computer sciences to the world. 

Why should your child pursue STEM?

Other than the said countries earlier, Australia also faces a considerable challenge in employing digitally literate individuals.
The Government of Western Australia found out that approximately 50% of current jobs related to STEM fields have skill shortages. There are also 75% of new employment offers that are requiring STEM skills. Moreover, they expect up to 90% of job openings in need of digitally skilled individuals for the next two to five years.  
Today, about one-third of 15-year-olds do not have the STEM skills that employers want. It all means that your child and their generation await technologically active jobs in the future. As a preparation, they must start to learn thoroughly about the subjects and courses under STEM. 
To make it clear, companies today require employees to carry STEM competencies and 21st Century skills. It will enable them to get positions that need to handle tools and equipment like computers, computer programs, and other technical materials.

What are the careers or professions under STEM?

Several educational tracks belong to the STEM programmes. Nevertheless, individuals who want to pursue a STEM-related path can finish a four-year degree or even a higher education. Others can also be college degree holders after completing STEM programs.
Here are some of the careers and professions someone may choose from the STEM curriculum. Your child may choose from these subjects, but it is not limited to… 
Science. Astronomer, Biologist, Biomedical Engineers, Chemist, and Psychologist
Technology. Computer Scientist, Programmers, Software Developer
Engineering. Architect, Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Industrial Engineer, and Physicist
Mathematics. Mathematician, Math Professor or Educator, and Statistician
Other than the said careers, it is also revealed to you the top STEM majors that became successful professions today. You can see below the list of the top 10 best STEM majors.
1. Petroleum engineering
2. Computer engineering
3. Mathematics
4. Aerospace engineering
5. Nuclear science and engineering
6. Software development
7. Chemical engineering
8. Actuarial science
9. Electrical engineering
10. Geological engineering
The other rankings include other engineering, programmings, and database administrators. 
Besides the following college courses and degrees, learners can still improve their STEM skills if they receive practical training. Some certifications today are suitable for kids who do not want to pursue college. Yet still, they can get equipped with proper skills for job opportunities.
In this case, learners can also pursue the following careers even with accredited certifications in the STEM fields. It includes Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and security certifications.
These are the usual certifications a learner can choose from software engineer, data engineer, network engineer, software developer, software architect, solutions architect, practitioner, administrator, and security engineer. 
Once a child embodies some of the list’s skills, they can take the certification exam. Afterward, they can pursue this career and role-based job opportunities with high-paying positions.
So, whether your child wants to continue in college or higher education or begins to choose certifications, they can still support STEM education.

Who can take STEM education?

Any learner can go after the STEM curriculum. There’s no definite age for your kids to start learning STEM. It will significantly depend on your child’s development. But generally, kids can take this program as early as 7 years old. Students ranging from 7 years of age up until 18 years old are very welcome to study under this educational program. 
Is STEM education for boys only? A big NO! Either boys or girls or any gender, age, race, background, or nationality are encouraged to go after the STEM track. It is a great way to build up STEM skills for all young learners across the globe. 
Studying STEM-related courses is open for everyone, especially for kids who are really into maths, sciences, and computers. Furthermore, students who wanted to take the careers mentioned above are warmly accepted to bring STEM education.

How to know if your child should pursue a STEM career?

Experts highly encourage parents to guide their children in STEM and computer sciences. However, as parents, you still need to determine if a STEM career best suits your child’s future. So, it is still your responsibility to know which learning track is the best for them. 
Check out the following questions to observe your child’s strengths and weaknesses. In this case, you would be able to know if they can take STEM careers or if you can do something to help them embody these skills.
Is your kid serious about their education? By answering this question, you would know if your child is a life-long learner. STEM educations demand a tremendous amount of time and effort in learning and discovering new studies. In this case, if you notice your child loves to learn and they are genuinely committed to education, then a STEM career is perfect for them. 
However, if your child is not learning or discovering, you can still help them get motivated to learn new things. You may start with unplugged STEM activities or games that would inspire them to learn more.
Is your child willing to take on new challenges? You also observe if your kid is willing to try to face challenges they did not encounter before. In a STEM career, people are always ready to take new things on their plate whilst making many trials and errors. It also requires them to consider struggles and learn to solve challenging problems. 
If your child likes to handle these situations, then they are highly suitable for STEM careers. But then, you can still help them practice these skills of resilience if you let them solve practical problems independently.
Is your kid interested in and fond of STEM activities? Of course, if your child loves to do sciences, technology, engineering, and maths, they would likely excel in a STEM career. Yet, if not, you can still make more interventions to help your child like these subjects.
For example, you may use incredible books, literature, tech toys, robotics, and other online resources to incorporate STEM learning into your child.
Through these questions, you may recognise your child’s strengths and help them hone their skills more. On the other hand, if they are not genuinely interested in STEM, you can still help them carry essential STEM skills. So, they can still get the right careers in the future.

How can your child start with STEM education? 

STEM programs start from early childhood, primary school, middle school, high school, college up to higher educations such as masters and doctorate. 
Your kids can improve their math-related skills as early as possible. They can begin studying in schools or institutions that offer STEM curricula. Other than that, they can find now academies, colleges, and universities that focus on STEM learning. 
There are also classes available online that accommodate students who are very much interested in STEM. These online courses provide learners with an excellent opportunity to learn more about the four major subjects. You may enrol your child in these kinds of learning methods to enjoy the convenience of your home.
Other than that, STEM and coding camps for kids are also available in Sydney, Australia. It includes incredible activities, highlighting computer sciences. Kids would love this one-day opportunity to learn new coding and STEM skills.
Besides these, there are also STEM-related schools that offer extracurricular activities for kids. One of them is Skill Samurai, a STEM education franchise from the United States that expands in Australia, and New Zealand. They are after-school coding and robotics classes perfect for kids aged 7 to 18. They are also introducing activities designed for future-ready STEM skills. 
So, you can sign up your child for programming classes for kids, robotics classes for kids, computer classes for kids, and even game development programs. 
Whether you are enrolling your child in any STEM-related programs, you must verify if these educational institutions are certified in teaching STEM. They should have accreditation from the STEM organisation. Skill Samurai, which presents coding classes for kids, belongs to the STEM education franchise. In this case, it guarantees you STEM-prepared lessons and activities.
Applying to these kinds of online or traditional extracurricular activities for your kids opens brighter chances for learning STEM efficiently. It guides their path on what to specialise. Also, these STEM programs prepare kids for college, industry certifications, and even careers and professions. 

What should you do now?

If you wish to enhance your child’s education in STEM-related fields, you may start by signing them up in coding classes for kids. It is the first step to preparing these young minds before entering the broad and complex sciences, technology, engineering, and maths. 
As you start today, you are preparing them for brighter STEM professions in the future.
Sign up here.