Tips for Teaching STEM to Elementary Students

There are many approaches when facilitating STEM curriculum. Each of the following methods has its own benefits, and just because you choose one approach in the beginning, does not mean you cannot switch and use another based on student engagement and retention. These methods are commonly used by educators and administrators:

• Project-based learning is the process of allowing students to engage in real-world, hands-on examples that connect to their academics. This allows students to take control of their education and has been linked to a higher, more equitable level of understanding of the curriculum.

• Problem-based learning gives students an open-ended question to work through. Either in groups or individually, students use previous knowledge, classroom resources, and problem solving skills to create their final hypothesis.

• Inquiry-based learning starts by giving students time to create their own questions, thoughts, and scenarios about the curriculum. Then, they work through the assignment, refining these original thoughts as their comprehension grows. This goes against traditional education practices where teachers start by presenting students with all the facts. In this learning method, teachers sit back as a resource and allow students to think critically about what they are learning.
• Cross curricular learning combines multiple academic disciplines into one lesson. For example, combining science and literature or math and sports. This infused approach to education increases students’ ability to connect what they are learning to the real world, helping them to develop their 21st century skills (e.g. critical thinking, collaboration, communication).