You often hear professional athletes reminisce on how they got their start—one of their parents handed them a ball at 7, they played on their first team at 13, and the rest is history. Every origin story starts with exposure, and STEM education is no different. When you guide your child towards foundational STEM experiences, they will discover interests filled with life-long passion, experimentation, and learning.
1. The STEM initiation
For kids ages 7-9, STEM education is all about fostering a natural curiosity for learning. If your child loves taking things apart and putting them back together, finishing puzzles, or reading stories about other worlds, those are all signs they'll love STEM! STEM will bolster those curiosities while helping build skills like problem-solving, organization, creativity, and more. Even at this age, it’s never too early to build!
2. The vital foundation
For kids ages 10-12, STEM education is all about exploration. It’s about trying different topics, developing skills, and finding a passion. Middle school students crave engagement, stimulation, and challenges. STEM learning is the perfect avenue because it incorporates hands-on learning, real-world application, and the space for teachable moments through trial and error. At this stage in adolescence, exposure to STEM education is the foundation your child needs to spark the understanding that their dreams are possible!
3. The deeper exploration
For teens ages 13-17, going off to college becomes more and more of a reality. Whether your child’s been exploring STEM since first grade or is just now developing a curiosity for it, this is the age to dig in. As your child dives deeper, they’ll be able to solidify a transformative skillset and craft an eye-catching narrative for college apps. Resumes with STEM programs standout not only because of STEM skills, but because of the essential soft skills including communication, collaboration, perseverance, and critical thinking.
4. The major declaration
Because the STEM industry is projected to grow 10.8% by 2032 (that’s 5x faster than non-STEM industries!), kids and teens will have plenty of majors to choose from when it’s time for college. More good news? A study by Georgetown University found that STEM degrees are among the top ranks of return on investment for college tuition. No matter where your child currently is in their journey, making an investment in STEM education now means a bigger ROI for the future!
5. The dream occupation
According to the Department of Labor, more than 65 percent of today’s students will grow up having careers that do not exist yet. That means there truly is no limit to what you child's future can bring! Exposing them to STEM at this age will capture their imagination, spark innovation, and foster a love for learning that’ll empower them to land their future dream job!