1. A Parent’s Guide to STEM
Science Technology Engineering and Math

2. What is STEM?
STEM is a stimulating approach to teaching that engages children’s creativity and encourages their curiosity.
STEM education was developed by classroom teachers collaborating with university professors of engineering and mathematics.

3. Why incorporate STEM into our curriculum?
STEM is fun and educational!
The STEM approach taps into what children like to do most—play, wonder, and be active.
The “habits of mind” developed by STEM education can be applied to math skills and real world problem solving.
The Common Core includes 8 standards for “mathematical practices” because math is more than content knowledge.

4. Mathematical Practices for Grade 1 From NYS Common Core
Make sense of a problems and persevere in solving them.
Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
Construct arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
Model with mathematics.
Use appropriate tools strategically.
Attend to precision.
Look for and make use of structure.
Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

5. STEM and Engineering
Engineering puts scientific knowledge to practical uses and provides opportunities to apply math skills in real world situations.
Stem process is modeled after the same cycle used in the engineering field:
Plan
Design
Check/Test
Share

6. How do our children benefit from STEM?
Children practice reasoning about complex problems.
Our students become better at analyzing multiple solutions.
They learn to communicate their ideas and results.
Even first graders can begin to develop perseverance and stamina because they learn that failure is common and a part of the process.

7. How Parents Can Help Encourage curiosity and questioning.
View science an technology TV and videos with your child.
Make your home a STEM-friendly place.
Find STEM-related recreational activities such as a trip to a science museum.

8. STEM’s Importance
STEM is about solving real-world problems. The world is going to need more and more graduates with the skills to “identify problems, visualize solutions, design prototypes, and find solutions.” Your children could be among these graduates who will help change the world for the better. Teachers and parents need to work Together to achieve this goal.