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How to raise a STEM-savvy student

As award-winning physicist Stephen Hawking once said, “However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at.” Opportunities to engage with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) can be found all around—but how do we encourage kids to embrace them? And why is STEMlearning 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 and 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, simple 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 oceanic life. 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 in one spot at www.sandiegofamily.com/resources/ summer-camps-and-programs/juniorlifeguard-programs.

Attend STEM camps. It’s time to think about spring and summer camps—engaging STEM programs abound! Explore countless science concepts 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 homebased fun at www.sandiegofamily.com/ for-the-kids/family-science.

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 (grades 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. To glimpse this action first-hand, check out the San Diego Regionals on March 20–23. Note: Admission is free, but spectator seating is limited. More info at www.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-diegowith-kids.

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).

Prefer walks in the city? Read our article, “San Diego Urban Hiking with Kids” at www.sandiegofamily.com/ things-to-do/out-about/kid-friendly-cityurban-hikes-san-diego to experience unique bridges and architecture and waterfront paths..

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).

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 more STEM books at www.sandiegofamily.com/for-the-kids/ book-multimedia-reviews/stem-booksand-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-ofsomething-bigger. The National Wildlife Federation trains volunteers to track local frog species and monarch butterflies at www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/ Wildlife-Guide/UnderstandingConservation/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 on March 22. 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.” v

Lisa Pawlak is an award-winning contributing writer who lives in Encinitas with her family.