Importance of STEM Education in Improving Student Learning

The world is continually changing as technology advances. Automation is taking over many jobs as well as creating new ones. Technology is also changing how we connect and interact with others, and student learning must keep pace as well.

What is STEM Education?

STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)- based education integrates these four areas into learning so that students gain the practical hands-on skills required to succeed in today's changing world. STEM is in every part of our lives - science is all around us, technology is gradually changing the way we do things, engineering manages the challenges of a changing environment and mathematics is part of our every activity and occupation.

International schools in Singapore are increasingly adopting STEM learning as an integral part of their curriculum from an early stage. Schools use age-appropriate and fun methods to teach the concepts of STEM. This helps develop the key skills of creativity, teamwork, problem-solving and independent thinking amongst others. 

Some international schools in Singapore have also added Arts (STEAM learning) to their programme.

 How can STEM improve student learning?

STEM education focuses on hands-on activities that prepare students to face and solve real-life problems. These activities improve the learning process by making it more exciting, engaging and hands-on, leading to superior learning outcomes.

Students don’t just learn science and mathematics concepts theoretically; they learn how to apply these to real-life situations. This lays the foundation for them to adapt and succeed in this ever-changing world.

Here’s how STEM education benefits the students:

Encourages the application of knowledge: Students learn skills that are useful in the real world. They are motivated to learn when they can apply their knowledge to new and different tasks. It inspires them to think logically.

Fires their imagination and creative thinking: STEM nurtures originality and leads to innovative ideas, entrepreneurship, as well as thinking of new ways to do things. Technologies like artificial intelligence or digital learning have all been created by people who thought out-of-the-box.

Urges them to ask questions: STEM’s enquiry-based and student-focused framework encourages curiosity in students. They research the concepts they study in school and learn to independently access and reproduce information.

Inculcates the ability to experiment and take calculated risks: Experimentation and risk-taking is an integral part of STEM activities. This ability helps students grow into individuals who are willing to keep trying out new ideas till they succeed.

Teaches problem-solving: STEM education nurtures critical thinking skills in students and teaches them to examine problems and find solutions to those problems.

Encourages teamwork and communication: Students with varying levels of ability work together in teams to record data, write reports, make presentations, etc. This ability to communicate, adapt and collaborate with others will help them thrive in a team-oriented environment.

Builds confidence: STEM education emphasizes failure as part of the learning process for students. This builds resilience and the confidence to try till they succeed.

Encourages the use of digital technology: Students learn the power of technology and innovation, and can easily embrace and adapt to new technologies. As the world increasingly becomes tech-centred, this will give them an edge.

STEM integrates the different disciplines and instils higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) in students. They learn to apply knowledge, skills, and values practically. This empowers them to solve problems and make decisions creatively, as well as prepares them to innovate.