Do you have a kid who just needs to know how everything works? A teen who takes apart their cell phone to see how it functions, a kid who inspects every bug and blade of grass they come across, a tween who spends their evening gazing through a telescope at the solar system? If so, then congratulations: you have a curious mind in your midst!
If your kid shows a passionate interest for science, technology, engineering and math, you owe it to them to ensure they have proper, hands-on resources. Providing your kid with additional learning opportunities can help them get ahead, pursue their passion and satisfy their curiosity. Beyond the classroom, here are four fantastic ways you can continue your kid's STEM education.
Summer Camps
The summer science camp, to a STEM-minded kid, is the event of the year. Not only do they get to play with likeminded kids, but they're also introduced to a variety of hands-on learning experiences. Talk to your kid to find out what area of STEM they are most interested in and then search for camps accordingly.
Nowadays, you can find camps for everything from botany to computer programming. Or choose a general science camp, which encompasses a wide range of science-related activities.
Online Courses
If your kid just can't get enough of science and math, or they want to work ahead of their current curriculum, enrol them in an online course. Online learning can be a fantastic way for your kid to work through their favourite subjects, ahead of their peers, at their own pace. They can explore the cosmos, study the earth, tinker with chemistry and tackle large questions of physics all from the comfort of their own home.
To start, find an online high school inspected by the Ministry of Education and authorized to grant credits.
Science Centre Passes
For younger STEM lovers, there's no better place than the local science centre. Teeming with fun activities, from planetarium viewings to robotics stations and live chemistry demonstrations, these centres are exploratory, exciting and elucidating.
Of course, due to the ongoing nature of lockdown measures, it's tough to tell when science centres will open as before. But once they do, treat your young STEM enthusiast to a pass.
Nature Walks
In addition to summer camps, online courses and trips to the science centre, here's something simple you can do: take a nature walk with your kid. There's science everywhere in nature. And many of human's crowning engineering feats have been borrowed from biology. You can even bring along a plant identification app if you want to tie technology into your nature walk.
Nature walks are a great way to combine learning with a little fresh air. Pair them with online science and math courses to get a full, beyond-the-classroom learning experience.
If your kid shows an interest in STEM, supplement their learning with enriching activities and online education. Give them all the tools they need to explore, grow and create - to become the person they want to be.
