What is STEM Education?
The combination of science, technology, engineering, and maths is known as STEM education (Yata et al., 2020). It has recently been revised to STEAM which includes the domain of arts as well for the expansion of the application of STEM education. In the opinion of the U.S Department of Education, currently, the world is ever dynamic, complex, and constantly changing. Hence, STEM education would help the youth to be prepared to apply knowledge and learned skills to solve problems, make the most sense out of gathered information, and consider the evidence before making decisions. Children who receive STEM education in their early years can have a positive impact on their academics (Herodotou, 2018). Early exposure to the concepts of maths supported the minds of the children to understand the complex nature of engineering concepts. It also focuses on Strengthening Language Skills, and the combination of STEM with other subjects offers even a richer and wider context based on the subjects. Imparting STEM education can enhance the quality of cognition in the early years of childhood. The growth of the brain occurs mostly at the stage of infancy and promotes significant learning. STEM is a holistic and integrated pedagogy that can be responsible for positive outcomes (Falloon et al., 2020)
The children cannot take up all the courses, it can only be concluded from the courses that students have pursued to anticipate their performance (Tomkin et al., 2018). In universities, grades are considered to be an important factor in identifying the ability or persistence of children in STEM. A study by Tomkin & West (2022) focused on understanding the reason behind the student’s lower academic grades in STEM courses than in their other courses. It has been derived from the study that the grading in STEM courses, departments, and programs is significantly stricter than grading in non-STEM courses. Researchers and Policymakers focused on bringing diversity to post-secondary science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (Vooren et al., 2022). STEM education caters to the curious mind of children inculcating creativity, innovation, and skills of problem-solving. It also promotes the memory retention ability in children. In a study administered by Wan (2020), it has been derived that the activities involved in STEM learning are beneficial for children as they will help pave the path for the future prosperity of the children. Campbell et al., (2018) analyzed the importance of STEM practices in the preliminary years of children that are conveyed by play-based pedagogies. It has been found in the study that STEM experiences increased the confidence in the capability to learn STEM for the children and early implementation triggers appreciation and value of STEM. STEM is arranged in both the indoor and outdoor settings during pre-school in a formal and informal setup. Educators implement approaches like the development of concept, inquiry, language development, and instigation of the child’s mind. Research proved that the activities of STEM can promote children in engaging more proactively in activities like learning, designing, inquiring, and reflecting processes. STEM is benefitting children aging 5-6 years for learning more about the science-related concepts (He et al., 2021). It also confirmed that preschool children developed a conceptual understanding of the topic “magnetism”. STEM provides an opportunity for the children to interact with their surroundings and social environment to facilitate observations and predictions within them. (Turk & Akcanca, 2021). STEM is structured and integrated as per the isolated pieces derived from real-life dynamics and concepts. However, it is important to design appropriate activities for promoting development that will support engaging children.
Benefits of STEM Education for Early Childhood Development
The subjects in STEM can be difficult to understand that is when STEM apps help children to have a clear understanding of the concepts of science, technology, engineering, and maths. The U.S Bureau of Labour Statistics states that by 2029 there will be an increase of 8% in employment opportunities in STEM occupations than non-STEM (Fry et al., 2021). STEM took the initiative of introducing children to different concepts through games and activities. Apps assist children in understanding the concepts rather than only learning about them (Grover et al., 2022). Children should be exposed to STEM at an early age for setting the building stone for higher learning. STEM apps advance the children to expand their scope, experiment, and problem-solving as a medium of success (Yalcin & Erden, 2021). STEM apps inaugurate a fun learning concept and also aid assistance with homework. Students must involve in activities that induce critical thinking within them to prepare for future college and work prospects. Students get the opportunity to learn about engineering, coding robots, simulations, analyzation of data in the app. STEM resources are important for children to generate an interest of innovation in children by teaching problem solving, critical thinking, and analytical skills (Dejarnett et al., 2018). Several apps are available on the platform of Apple and Android. Technological advancement in apps is a new way of influencing the mind of children in a more creative manner different than the traditional methods of teaching (Miller, 2018). Few apps are based on games while other apps use quizzes or videos as the source of teaching. STEM apps are created for children to have additional characteristics such as
- Prioritising fun
- Gamified
- Usage Friendly and simple to understand
There are apps that help children to explore a different field of education such an app like simple machines help children to recognize the concept of how machines work by experimenting on topics of physics. In the app, six machines are featured: levers, inclined planes, wedges, wheels and axles, pulleys, and screws. Children can explore each machine to learn the concepts of force, action and reactions, motion, energy conservation, and mechanical advantage. The availability of such apps has been a great tool to serve young minds about complex topics in an easier way.
The 5 apps that help in children’s understanding and learning of STEM concepts are
- STEMWerkz- The approach of the app is inquiry-based which motivates students to be curious to explore the concepts of science that help in broadening and deepening their knowledge. It is unlike rote learning and encourages critical thinking, exploration, hands-on learning, tenacity, adaptability, flexibility, and lifelong learning in children. The STEM activities in the app have the potential to improve learning skills like observing, stating, predicting, identifying, and predicting.
- Tappity: K-5 Science for kids-. The app makes it easier for children to involve in learning who do not enjoy reading activities and read through materials that are narrated. The app provides information to the parents and keeps them updated about the progress of the children hence the children’s progression could be monitored easily and cross-checked in case of any difficulty during the learning experience.
- Hopscotch Coding for kids- The app encourages the children to be independent leaders accessing different levels in solving code problems. Coding is one of the learning abilities that is required at current time. The app enables the children in understanding the concepts Programming helps in learning how to think, for enlightening the different parts of the brain.
- Smart Tales- In early childhood, play-based learning is an essential element in specifying the important characteristics of play. The reading activity in the app for at least about 20 minutes every day for the children enhances their vocabulary, ability to listen, and encourages them to perform better in school, empathy, and recognition of emotions.
- The Robot Factory by Tinybop- The app indulges in concepts of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It focuses on offering direct learning lessons based on the exploration of engineering designs. The app has the potential to encourage the student to involve in platforms of complex creations like Minecraft and algadoo by applying the same procedure of thinking designs they have learned throughout in the app. The open-ended play allows the student to produce robots which is a critical process and needs an immense amount of knowledge; however, the app can assist children of younger age in deriving vivid experiences
The government is focusing on the advancement of STEM resources for the early learning of children and offering support to educators by training them under the policy of the National Innovation and Science Agenda (Sheddield et al., 2018). The early Years Learning framework has been acknowledged by the Government to offer pedagogical approaches based on play and investigation. The main aim of the program is to encourage curiosity and involvement in the concepts of STEM, an extensive set of holistic resource materials, and enhance learning experiences through apps. The STEM apps promote the learning of children about the concepts of STEM through engaging and effective learning opportunities. The functions of the selected five apps STEMWerkz, Tappity, The Robot Factory by Tinybop, SmartTales, and Hopscotch are:
- STEMWerkz- It is an app that provides a fun learning environment to kids and an opportunity to learn about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The app is applied for the age group of 5 to 12 years set up to different levels of difficulty. The app influences the educational activities for children positively. It helps the client to be equipped with the right tools, skillsets, and mindsets. It uses digital interactive resources for fun, engaging, and meaningful learning. EYLF framework is outlined to stimulate communication, and conversations, and offer a common language for the learning of children. It is made accessible to everyone providing equal opportunities for enhancing the learning experience and quality of education to children from varied backgrounds. STEMWerkz can be assessed from the comfort of home and the scope of learning can be broadened from a very young age making the children capable to quest in the fast-pacing world. STEMWerkz Quests is where children can examine the concepts that are laid out in lesson formats inclusive of short interactive animated videos along with a summary and followed by a test.
- Tappity: K-5 Science for kids- An educational app assisting k- 5 kids in keeping them engaged in studies through interactive quizzes, games, videos, and storylines relevant to science topics. The app includes topics like space science, earth science, life science, and physical science. It comprises science trivia questions, a science journal, and experiments. The interactive videos keep the children engaged and attentive by making the learning materials more enjoyable.
- Hopscotch Coding for kids- The app is designed for the age group of 10-16 years. It helps teach coding to children in a drag and drops coding app- Hopscotch. It enables the students to conduct an experiment and write codes on their own in programs offered by the Hopscotch program language. Once the children have mastered it, they can produce their own stories of coding programs. The app offers quirky, colorful, and excellent graphics that resembled old school arcade. The app teaches kids the technicalities of coding for the purpose to create games, build things as per their imagination, convert drawings into animations, inspecting the projects curated by other kids, and deriving inspiration. According to the EYLF program, the lives of the children are considered by the sense of belonging, being, and becoming (Peers, 2018). The app helps in addressing the concerned feeling of children as per the EYLF framework. Programming helps in learning how to think and is effective in enlightening the different parts of the brain.
- Smart Tales- It includes an interactive session of animations and stories that educates children about STEM subjects for 3 years of age and above. The tales in the app comprise captivating stories that stimulate the different parts of the mind.
- The Robot Factory by Tinybop- The app is one of the prime digital toy factory provides an opportunity to build, test, and collect robots. The app is effective in providing hands-on experience in creating robots by using imagination and creativeness, and testing robots in mock digital situations to understand the survival of the built robots. the biological parts of the human body to elements of space. It offers learning that is deep and involves student engagement and emphasizes strengthening the connection between the planning cycle and vision and reinforcing the association between play-based learning and practicality.
Challenges in STEM Education and the Importance of Diversity
Conclusion
It can be concluded that STEM apps are effective in bringing additional learning opportunities for students in the current dynamic world. It is important for inculcating knowledge in the most refined way possible from an early age as it shapes the mindset and capabilities accordingly. STEM apps are promoted by the Government as well for promoting enriched educational facilities to the students. Children are benefitting from various apps that are available on the readily available software platform. STEM educational apps provide advanced progress to the children which can be implemented with the help of parents and educators. The STEM apps deal with different fields of education that enhance individual abilities from the nascent stage. The educational activities have transformed in the current era for the better development and advancement for future purposes.
References
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Fry, R., Kennedy, B., & Funk, C. (2021). STEM jobs see uneven progress in increasing gender, racial and ethnic diversity. Pew Research Center Science & Society. https://www.pewresearch.org/science/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2021/03/PS_2021.04.01_diversity-in-STEM_REPORT.pdf
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