National STEM Day 2020
STEM was first introduced in the 21st century to refer to curriculum and careers based around science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics – industries that have boomed with growth over the past few decades. STEM jobs are projected to grow 13% by 2027 while universities are only graduating about 30% of the required students to fill open STEM positions in the United States.
STEM is not only an important part of our economy, but it helps educate youth on how to develop critical thinking skills, promotes creativity, and encourages curiosity – skills required to be successful in problem solving. This holistic approach to learning helps students navigate and enlist the left and right sides of their brains concomitantly – skills they will need to be successful in future professional positions.
There is not yet a standard for the formal teaching of STEM in schools and only 20% of STEM college students believe their K-12 education prepared them appropriately for their college level courses. However, there are things that parents can do with their kids at home to practice STEM and start implementing critical thinking and problem solving into tasks early on in their education.
We’ve pulled together a list of resources for parents and their children to participate in – STEM related activities and project-based learning for the upcoming STEM day on November 8th. Check them out below.
STEM Activities
Create Your Own Assembly Line: Practice industrial engineering by designing an efficient manufacturing process for assembling a multitude of pens. Grades 3-8.
Water Pollution Clean Up: Learn how to build a water filter to remove pollution and provide clean, healthy water to the environment and people. Grades K-12.
Identifying Chemicals Through Color: Discover if something is an acid or a base by using some red cabbage from your fridge! Grades 4-12.
Bill Nye the Science Guy Activity Library: Watch Bill Nye as he walks through a variety of activities demonstrating Life Science, Chemistry, and Planetary Science.
NASA Kids Club: Learn all about NASA, and even experience what it’s like to go roving on Mars.
Girlstart’s DeSTEMber: 31 days of STEM activities that you can follow along at home. Each Sunday a material list is posted for the following week.
Foil Boats, Do They Float? How much weight can you get a foil boat to hold? Understand the concepts of buoyancy and density with this fun project. Grades K-6.
STEM Movie Night
Big Hero 6: Engineering innovations assist mankind in achieving unique and powerful goals. Sometimes, they can also have a negative impact on society and the environment. Through this movie, learn how to utilize skills that can help overcome major obstacles. Grades 2-12.
Hidden Figures: As technology acquires roles that people once held, the implications on the world are great. Discover more about the history of STEM in the 1950’s and 60’s, and how it has evolved over time. Grades 4-12.
The Lego Movie: As the builders in this movie construct new building solutions, real-life engineers are also going through the design process. This film sheds light on how to overcome common building problems and implement successful designs. Grades 1-12.
Interstellar: Journey into the world of science fiction with this film and explore scientific questions around what’s possible and impossible through the world of space travel. Grades 6-12.
STEM Books
Women in Sciences: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky, Grades 5-12.
Electric Ben: The Amazing Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin by Robert Byrd, Grades 3-7.
How Machines Work: Zoo Break! by David Macaulay, Grades 2-7.
Peg + Cat: The Pizza Problem by Jennifer Oxley and Billy Aronson, Grades Pre-K-1.
We’d love to see what you participate in for STEM Day! Tag us in your photos on Instagram @Affiliated_Engineers.
