How to raise STEM-savvy students

Portrait of teenage girl and boy smiling and playing in the vegetable garden.

Opportunities to engage with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) can be found all around—but how do parents encourage kids to embrace them? And why is STEM-learning so important?

“From creating a garden to making slime, kids can engage in hands-on learning at any time,” says Alaine Ibarreche, manager of school and youth programs at Birch Aquarium. “STEM activities can be anything from conducting a short experiment, observing nature or participating in a group program at your local museum. It’s all about getting kids comfortable and excited to learn.”

STEM activities build critical thinking, problem solving and collaboration skills. STEM-savvy students often possess greater resilience, curiosity, confidence and a lifelong love of learning. They are more likely to thrive at school be more prepared for our innovation-driven world.

“Parents can inspire a love of STEM by sharing with kids that STEM is already a cool part of everyday life,” explains Andrew Wilde, marketing brand manager at Fleet Science Center. “At home, activities like conducting kitchen experiments, building with LEGOs, or examining rocks and other items from the natural world spark curiosity.” Here are more fun ways to raise a STEM-savvy student.

EXPLORE OCEAN LIFE. We’re fortunate that San Diego provides easy access to plenty of sand, sea and marine life. Explore our coastline at local beaches, tidepool at Sunset Cliffs or Swami’s Beach, visit Birch Aquarium’s exhibits and habitats, take a whale watching cruise, go snorkeling or become a junior lifeguard. The world is your oyster!

Discover all of San Diego County’s junior lifeguard programs at www.sandiegofamily.com/resources/summer-camps-and-programs/junior-lifeguard-programs.

ATTEND STEM CAMPS. Engaging STEM summer camps and programs abound! Explore countless science exhibits at Fleet Science Center, learn about marine science at Birch Aquarium, experience SEACAMP on Mission Bay, learn to code at Ember Coding Lab, or design video games with iD Tech Camps at San Diego State University or UC San Diego.

GET MESSY AT HOME. A little dirt never hurt. Observe science in action by planting a garden and watching seeds begin to sprout. Picky eater tip: When you grow vegetables, kids are more likely to eat them!

Perform easy, inexpensive experiments together. Make slime, build a miniature volcano and launch bottle rockets. Discover tons of home-based fun at www.sandiegofamily.com/for-the-kids/family-science.

Front view of building kit for group of three multiracial kids creating toys, having positive emotions and joy, african girl smiling and looking at camera. Close up of friends working on project.

JOIN A ROBOTICS CLUB. “One of the best ways to spark a child's interest in STEM is by getting them involved in a FIRST robotics team,” says Rebecca Berggren, marketing and partnership strategist for FIRST California Robotics. “Whether they start with FIRST LEGO League (PreK–8th), FIRST Tech Challenge (grades 7–12) or FIRST Robotics Competition (grade 9–12), these hands-on programs provide an exciting, team-based environment where kids explore engineering, coding and problem-solving.”

While younger kids gather for LEGO-based challenges, high school students design and manufacture robots weighing over 100 pounds for large-scale competitions. Learn more at https://cafirst.org/frc/sandiego.

BOND WITH ANIMALS. From cute and furry to big and bold, animals are fascinating. Discover exotic species from around the world at San Diego Zoo and Zoo Safari Park or visit a local farm. Encourage additional learning about favorite animals with research at the library. Find a list of San Diego County farms at www.sandiegofamily.com/things-to-do/out-about/find-farm-animals-san-diego-with-kids.

VISIT A SCIENCE MUSEUM. Balboa Park has incredible museums: Fleet Science Center, San Diego Natural History Museum, San Diego Model Railroad Museum, San Diego Air & Space Museum and more. Consider family programs, summer camps and afterschool enrichment to enhance experiences. Interactive STEM learning is also available at San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum (Escondido) and The New Children’s Museum (downtown SD).

TAKE A HIKE. There’s much to discover in the great outdoors. While walking, point out trees, clouds, plants, birds, animal tracks, interesting rocks and insects. Discuss science concepts like the water cycle or how humans impact the environment—and be sure to leave no trace (no evidence that you were there).

If your family prefers walks around the city, over unique bridges and waterfront paths, read “San Diego Urban Hiking with Kids” at www.sandiegofamily.com/things-to-do/out-about/kid-friendly-city-urban-hikes-san-diego.

INTERACT WITH STEM MEDIA. On sick or rainy days, skip the cartoons and stream a science or nature-themed documentary instead. We love the Disneynature series—especially African Cats. Reading age-appropriate books is another great way to engage with STEM. For a fun, fictional take on science facts, read The Magic School Bus series. Find an awesome list of STEM books at www.sandiegofamily.com/for-the-kids/book-multimedia-reviews/stem-books-and-products.

BECOME A CITIZEN SCIENTIST. Citizen science offers opportunities for volunteers (including kids) to collect and contribute to real-life research. For instance, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology asks backyard bird enthusiasts for observations on the world’s 10,000 bird species at www.birds.cornell.edu/home/participatory-science-be-part-of-something-bigger. The National Wildlife Federation trains volunteers to track local frog species and monarch butterflies at www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Understanding-Conservation/Citizen-Science.

SUPPORT GIRLS IN STEM. Girls in grades 6–10 can attend the Expanding Your Horizons Network, an annual science, math and engineering conference at University of San Diego in March. Learn more at www.eyhsandiego.org.

“STEM activities are all about exercising your creativity and critical thinking skills,” says Ibarreche. “When it comes to learning, practicing these skills early in life allows kids to grow up with the confidence and drive to solve problems independently and collaboratively.”

Happy mixed Asian girl friends making homemade slime toy, sensory art and craft, fun homeschool chemistry project