Many of the fastest-growing industries require talent trained in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). In fact, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long highlighted the importance of STEM education as necessary to maintain Singapore’s economic growth. That is something the Ministry of Education (MOE) looks to cultivate as it seeks to expose students to STEM-related applied learning and careers through the STEM ALP programme.
However, despite the overwhelming support for STEM education, the number of educators and students in Singapore taking advantage of these opportunities remains small. So how can educators establish an impactful STEM curriculum and drive students’ interest in STEM? Well, read on to learn how you can effectively build and nurture an equitable STEM programme in school.
Tip #1: Invest in STEM professional development for teachers
Having a teacher who is a role model, instructor, and mentor is essential in empowering students in their STEM education. Therefore, promoting STEM should begin by empowering more educators to integrate STEM seamlessly into the current curriculum. Once educators are equipped with relevant training and up-to-date knowledge about the approach, they can confidently introduce students to STEM and use the approach to enhance students’ learning.
At IDE Academy, we understand that the most effective STEM programmes should be integrated seamlessly into existing curricula, and applicable to the real world, rather than exist as concepts and skills taught in isolation. This is why our professional development courses strive to train educators to integrate STEM learning organically into the classroom and create opportunities for students to engage in real-world applications.
Tip #2: Embrace project-based learning
A study has discovered that students who experience project-based learning (PBL) perform better than those taught through conventional methods. This is because PBL provides students with the opportunities to engage deeply with the content, thereby increasing long-term retention.
Through PBL, educators can engage students in projects tied to real-world issues. This structure taps on students’ intrinsic motivation, as they discover that their actions and ideas can create a meaningful impact. With this, students would be motivated to ask questions and seek solutions to the problem, which improves their attitudes toward STEM education.
Tip #3: Foster a safe and supportive learning environment
Failure is the mother of success. In fact, researchers have found that failure can foster innovation at every level. For this to happen, students need a safe and supportive learning environment — one that encourages them to accept and learn from their mistakes rather than admit defeat.
This is especially emphasised in STEM education where failure is celebrated as a step towards innovation. When students view failure as part of the learning experience, they learn to persevere until they succeed and not to place a limit on their ability.
Tip #4: Collaborate with a STEM programme that is easy-to-implement and affordable
Integrating STEM into an existing curriculum can seem like a daunting task for any educator. You would want to ensure that STEM education is sustainable, affordable, and enjoyable.
Furthermore, those with little to no experience with STEM education will require a guiding hand to ensure a seamless implementation of the approach. Collaborating with a STEM programme can make introducing STEM education in your existing school programmes more practicable than starting from scratch.
At IDE Academy, our professional development courses do not require prior start-up, technical, or engineering skills. Our course is designed to guide educators in our proprietary STEMIE® 7-step framework, empowering them to take what they have learnt back to the classroom! You will acquire the tools and skills necessary to engage your students with our localized STEMIE® curriculum, while developing the spirit and mindset of entrepreneurship in your students.
We hope what we have shared has provided you with a better understanding of how to establish an impactful STEM curriculum in school. If you are interested to learn more about how IDE Academy can assist you with implementing an effective STEM programme, do not hesitate to contact us today! Our team will be glad to partner with you in this rewarding journey.
