STEM is short for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. STEM activities are designed to teach Montessori elementary school children important concepts and abilities that help them become more successful members of their 21st-century communities. STEM activities are vital in encouraging today’s youth to engage in and pursue higher skills and education necessary in the modern world.
STEM and the Montessori Method
Because Montessori is a hands-on form of education, it is perfectly suited for STEM subject material. In fact, Maria Montessori recognized the importance of STEM activities and took them into account while developing the Montessori Method. The world has progressed a lot since Maria Montessori’s time, but the ideas behind Montessori learning are as prudent and beneficial as ever. Here are 3 examples of how Montessori-inspired learning is fun and engaging.
- Sciences
Science subjects are ideal for hands-on activities in Montessori elementary school. From astronomy to wildlife, science helps children grasp the complexities of the natural world. Butterfly habitats, experiments with states of matter using ice, and discovering the magical properties of magnets are all fun activities that teach the principles of science.
- Jellybean Engineering
With jellybeans and toothpicks, elementary students can explore the science of atoms, or tackle architectural design and structural stability. This simple activity allows children to build in 3 dimensions, helping them develop math, critical thinking, and engineering skills that will be useful in later studies as well as providing practical experience that will last a lifetime.
- Math in All Things
Math permeates the natural world. When children learn how important math is at an early age and develop the critical thinking skills to apply math in problem-solving exercises, arithmetic quickly becomes second nature. From measuring and cutting foods to building a birdhouse or other project, math keeps the dish delicious and joints square, and children are often fascinated to realize that their brains are using complex math without them even thinking about it, simply to perform tasks such as walking or throwing a ball.
Montessori elementary schools have always made STEM subjects an important part of the curriculum. They can be easily incorporated into a hands-on environment, and provide children with a wealth of learning opportunities above and beyond the actual project at hand. Preparing for life in the 21st century is going to demand that children understand and embrace science, technology, engineering, and math, and Montessori schools foster the love of learning children need to develop into successful adults.
Happenings in Education 