Benefits of STEM for Special Education Students

Table of Contents

Key Benefits of STEM for Special Education Students
Adapting STEM for Special Education Classrooms
Long-Term Benefits of STEM for Special Education

Creating curriculum maps focused around the distinct needs of your children and students is key to their current and future success. Tailoring curricula and the teaching approach is especially important when choosing curricula for special education students who have unique needs. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) lessons are a natural and effective integration into any special education classroom curriculum. With its hands-on learning approach, natural connection to real-world situations, and ability to customize lessons to students, STEM learning is the perfect way to get special education students engaged and excited about learning.

This article will explore the many benefits of implementing STEM lessons with special education students – touching on benefits in and out of the classroom.

Key Benefits of STEM for Special Education Students

Here is a list of the key benefits of STEM for special education students:

Building Independence and Confidence: STEM lessons promote independent thought and problem solving. This opportunity to solve complex problems gives students the confidence they need to tackle future classroom and real world challenges.
Encouraging Collaboration and Social Skills: STEM projects can easily be turned into group lessons that encourage students to work collaboratively to get to a shared solution. This practice of working together translates into students’ personal and professional lives, where communication and collaboration are key to healthy, long-term relationships.
Developing Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking Skills: STEM lessons naturally prompt students to think critically and problem-solve until they find the best, correct solution. These are skills that will suit students as they enter the workforce, regardless of if they pursue STEM or non-STEM careers.
Promoting Engagement Through Technology: Technology literacy is now a requirement for many jobs and most students are excited about the use of technology in the classroom, which educators can use to their advantage. Through the use of computer programs, apps, VR experiences, and other technology, educators can keep special education students interested in their STEM lessons.
Preparing Students for Real-World Success: STEM curricula teaches students key hard and soft skills that can be applied to everyday life.

Adapting STEM for Special Education Classrooms

Implementing STEM with special education students for the first time can be daunting, leaving educators with various unanswered questions and worries around the lesson going smoothly. However, there is no need to worry! STEM learning is meant to enhance the curricula in special education classrooms and with a mindset focused on growth, rather than perfection; thus, it can be used as a way to get students engaged in learning and excited about their future.

Below are tips for implementing STEM learning with special education students:

Use Assistive Technology: Leverage assistive technology, such as adaptive learning devices, special needs focused learning applications, and speech to text tools.
Break Tasks into Manageable Steps: Breaking STEM lessons up into smaller, more manageable activities can help students to focus their efforts and stay engaged.
Celebrate Progress: Celebrate small victories and focus on students gaining confidence and comfortability in STEM subjects.
Foster a Safe Space for Experimentation: Create an environment where students feel confident taking risks, failing, and trying again.

Long-Term Benefits of STEM for Special Education

STEM learning helps to prepare special education students for lifelong success in their education, personal lives, and careers. Through frequent and meaningful implementation of STEM in the classroom, educators can help improve special education students’ STEM literacy, promoting their continued involvement in STEM learning opportunities.

If you are an educator looking for an easy to implement, effective way to implement STEM with your special education and special needs students, explore the STEM Special Teams Players curriculum. This curriculum is a fun and engaging way for students to learn and comprehend STEM using a variety of sports. Each lesson is aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), Common Core State Standards (CCSS) – Math, and National K-12 Physical Education standards. With special needs students in mind, this curriculum’s adaptive approach allows students to exercise their minds and bodies for a successful and positive learning experience.

Lauren Chiangpradit