Guidelines and Resources for STEM Teachers, at Any Stage of their Career

Teachers who plan courses in STEM-related fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) often find that keeping students engaged may require an array of methods and that traditional approaches are not always the most effective. This is because engagement with STEM subjects requires intellectual curiosity, problem-solving, and independent thinking. 

Plus, STEM studies are constantly evolving, so simply presenting information, and asking that it be repeated not only tends to be boring for students; it also is not a great way to help them master topics in a STEM field. 

If you’re looking for ways to keep your students more connected and motivated in STEM fields, Modulo shares the following insight..

What school subjects would be categorized as STEM?

Common STEM subjects that are studied in school science classes include biology, chemistry, and physics. Some students may also study tech-related STEM subjects such as computer science and programming. The engineering component of STEM might not be touched on much prior to higher education, but when it is, the focus could be on any or all of its four main types: chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical. And of course, most students will be studying several math fields, including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. Another math-related STEM field some students may study is statistics.

STEM subjects should be integrated with one another, in the classroom.

STEM topics tend often to interconnect with one another, both in theory and in real-life application. So, teachers should approach them by way of this interconnection. This will serve several goals. In the first place, students will acquire additional layers of learning and have a more complete and multidimensional view of STEM studies. Secondly, this will help keep them more engaged and inquisitive. 

Lastly, teaching STEM studies in an integrated manner will better prepare students for both career success and general flourishing in the real-life world where science and tech are so influential for our culture, lifestyle, work, and more.

Using the engineering design process (EDP) to integrate studies.

This is the method working engineers use for articulating problems and finding solutions. It can be a great teaching tool because it involves integrating different aspects of STEM and gives students the opportunity to apply what they are learning. This process is like the scientific method, except that it is based more on designing and building, rather than observing and experimenting. The steps of the process are as follows:

• Define the problem.

• Research how similar problems were solved.

• Specify your requirements.

• Brainstorm possible solutions.

• Choose the most likely solution,

• Develop a plan for implementing it.

• Create a prototype.

• Test the prototype.

• Redesign if necessary.

• Communicate or publicize your results.

How to use projects to help students in their STEM field.

Once the students have learned about the EDP, help them put it into practice by working on a project that will allow them to implement it. Some ideas for fun and educational STEM learning projects include designing an app, creating a model of a bridge or building, building a catapult, or even making a robot.

How you can equip yourself to teach STEM more effectively.

One way to learn more about STEM fields and how to teach them would be to communicate and collaborate with other teachers in similar fields. See if you can find teachers or experts who specialize in areas of STEM and find out what teaching methods they use, as well as what new innovations students should be aware of. 

Some teachers may decide to return to school, either to bolster their understanding of STEM studies or because they’ve decided to specialize themselves. If you’re worried about how to fit in your own studies when you’re already teaching full-time, keep in mind that pursuing an online teaching and education degree will allow you to structure your schedule to meet your own personal and work-related needs.

Benefits of a STEM-related education.

Even if your students are not planning on a career in a STEM field, The Edvocate notes that studying these subjects is beneficial because of the skills they impart. Students who are trained in STEM tend to be good at critical and independent thinking. They also probably are good at teamwork and collaboration. STEM studies also encourage problem-solving skills, digital literacy, and even creative self-reflection.

What are some of the best practices for teaching STEM to students?

MiddleWeb suggests that teachers who want to be great STEM instructors should keep the following guidelines in mind: 

• First, transfer control of the learning process to the students, even if this means everything takes longer and more mistakes will happen. 

• Next, encourage curiosity. Help the students learn how to ask the right questions, and get answers, too. Keep the learning processes as hands-on and in real life as possible. Set up opportunities for teamwork and collaboration. 

• Finally, accept that failure can be part of the process, and encourage students to view instances of failure as opportunities for learning.

Some helpful tools for newbie STEM teachers.

There are plenty of great free or low-cost resources out there that teachers can draw on to help them as they teach STEM subjects. Educational websites such as Edutopia, STEM Teaching Tools, and the Website of the American Society for Engineering Education have lots of excellent and helpful material. Also check out the STEM page at PBS, National Geographic Learning, and the NSA Digital Learning Network. 

Consider using fun activities-based learning resources, too. Study electricity and conductivity, and even design your own video game controller, with a circuit board like Makey Makey. Or get a 3D modeling program like Tinkercad. Or practice your coding by programming a robot like the Root.

Whether you are new to teaching STEM, or a seasoned expert, it never hurts to try some new pedagogical techniques, and find alternative ways to engage your students, especially since these fields are constantly growing and changing. Teaching your students STEM subjects via collaborative projects will help prepare them well for future learning, for their careers, and even with the challenges that arise in day-to-day life.

Image via Pixabay

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