STEM schools used to be places with a few more math and science classes. In our modern world, STEM schools are far more challenging. STEM schools allow students to thoughtfully engage in real-life challenges that will set them up for fantastic career opportunities. But what is a STEM school?
Many STEM schools focus on particular job clusters and connect students with future employers or internships. Others take advantage of local colleges and help students to earn credits before even graduating from high school. If you’re wondering what a STEM or STEAM school is, we’re here to help. Let’s break down the basics of a STEM school below.
STEM Schools
As the name implies, STEM schools are dedicated schools that focus on STEM education (science, technology, engineering, and math). These are highly collaborative project-based schools where kids will work together in a very hands-on way to solve real problems. STEM schools help students to learn key concepts like problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking. Teachers don’t tell students about a concept. They let them explore that concept in a very hands-on way. While any regular school can teach your child math and science, STEM schools dive deep into these subjects and take a completely different approach to prepare students for STEM careers and tech jobs.
Why Choose a STEM School?
If your child has an interest in science, building things, or prove to be hands-on learners, choosing a STEM school could be in your best interest. Additionally, it leads to great opportunities. Over the past decade, jobs in STEM-related fields have grown three times as fast as non-STEM jobs. STEM schools help kids to learn the skills necessary to succeed in jobs in the STEM field. Additionally, many STEM high schools work with local employers in the industry to directly connect students with potential job openings or internships.
Final Thoughts
Many families already have STEM toys and STEM subscription boxes at home, but often, for many children, this is not enough. Any student interested in STEM could greatly benefit from attending a dedicated STEM school. With a more hands-on and involved curriculum approach, many students love that they always feel engaged in what they’re learning. With that said, there are many types of STEM school programs to choose from and costs to keep in mind. Our advice is to speak with your student directly about whether or not they would be interested in this type of learning experience.
