STEM teaching

S.T.E.M (Science – Technology – Engineering – Math) is new educational trend which integrates multidisciplinary knowledge and skills as one program for schools. My STEM teaching locates in two areas:T (Technology) and E (Engineering). Within these areas, robotics and programming are cross-cutting domains that underpin most other fields.

Teaching kids about robotics and programming is both difficult and easy. That’s because these fields require a large amount of multidisciplinary knowledge such as Mathematics, Physics, Mechanics, Materials … plus the ability of logical and abstract thinking. Yet because children’s brains have not yet developed these abilities, it is rather difficult to teach them with classic methods. The kids tend to be quickly discouraged and tired of complex concepts. That’s the hard side.

However, the easy side is:

Since characteristic of the kid’s brain is visual and event-oriented thinking, this is an outstanding advantage that helps them learn very quickly. Their way of learning is: “Observe, follow, remember”. This is a natural learning reflex, which allows them to access any knowledge or technique with ease, regardless of its complex structure. In other words, for children everything is easy, as long as there is an instructor. I take this characteristic to teach them how to code and explain how a program works, the way a program controls a machine. This is just like the “Play to learn – Learn to play” method. Every lesson has goals and achievements. Each goal is completed, each recorded achievement brings a great inspiration, stimulates creative minds and passion for the kids. In this energetic state, they learn more, perceive tech knowledge really deeply. I used this teaching method in STEM courses and projects and got my students to achieve over-expected results.