By Darin Gray, Ed.D. and Stephanie Weber
The Internet has played a significant role in the democratization of STEM learning. However, there is still much work to be done.
It can be challenging to find meaningful authentic lessons for STEM learning and hands-on project-based activities. Searching online for the topic “simple machines” will lead to pages and pages of results. Even when one finds a decent looking resource, many of them:
- Lack scaffolding and supporting materials
- Are confusing
- Can lead to misconceptions
- Only provide surface level learning
- Are more like directed crafting
- Have limited assessments
- Are not aligned to standards
To provide true and equitable access to STEM learning, our communities need access to learning resources that provide fun and engaging guided activities that are inspired and evaluated by STEM educators and STEM professionals. Research has shown that underrepresented minoritized (URM) students studying STEM face many challenges, including inadequate K12 STEM experiences, financial concerns, and hostile academic environments1,2. Teachers may unknowingly discourage URM students to study STEM due to unconscious biases. These factors, combined with the lack of opportunities and limited resources, drive many URM students away from majoring in STEM fields3,4. To help combat these negative influences, teachers and students need STEM activities that are engaging, low-cost, and standards-aligned.
Additionally, for STEM to be accessible by communities of URM students, the activities need to be:
- From a trusted source
- Detailed enough for project planning in terms of time, material, and space
- Range from quick projects to longer, more in-depth projects
Think of an elementary school student who sees a magnet motor on TikTok and is curious about creating one themselves. However, their school doesn’t have a STEM program. The student can go to TeachEngineering.org, find a project like Get Your Motor Running or Creating an Electromagnet and ask an adult to help them with it.
Imagine a parent hears the story of an astronaut of color’s adventure on the International Space Station. The parent thinks, “how can I get my kid interested in that?” The parent can search for a rocket activity and find activities like Pop Rockets or Action- Reaction Rockets to engage their kid.
Consider Girls Scout troop leaders from communities that don’t have many STEM opportunities. A troop leader could use Teach Engineering to help their scouts earn engineering badges by designing a better bandage or prototyping their own snazzy sneakers.
A high school teacher is asked to lead the effort to improve their school’s science scores. The first task is to increase students’ interest and excitement in STEM. The teacher is able to use Teach Engineering to find engaging NGSS aligned lessons, activities and resources like Protective Fashion! Beach Edition and Designing Prototypes to Save Coral Reefs that they and their fellow teachers can use to inspire their students and connect to the academic content.
No matter the role, Teach Engineering helps students, parents, and formal and informal educators put the “E” in STEM.
“Teach Engineering’s greatest strength lies in its ability to support [educators] at all levels, from novice to expert. Thanks to Teach Engineering, many of my STEM students have gone on to work as engineers in various fields, and I am confident that this program will continue to inspire and support future generations of engineers. Together, let us continue to revolutionize STEM education and change the world, one student at a time.”
Go to TeachEngineering.org to search more than 1900 free K-12 STEM activities, lessons, and design challenges that can be downloaded and used immediately. Click on the popular topics pages to learn about engineering design and design thinking, or sign up for the Teach Engineering newsletter to find out when the next free workshop will be held.
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