How to Promote STEM Education in School?

Indian education system has realized the potential of STEM in technological and scientific developments. Efforts are also being made to implement STEM education across schools and promote a culture of practical learning and creative thinking. However, there’s a long way to go to increase the popularity of STEM among teachers and students.

While it is clear now that STEM education in school is compulsory for the evolution of skilled workforce to compete at the global level, its practical implementation is still under scrutiny. Besides initiatives like Atal Tinkering Lab, it is crucial to pay attention to other factors that can lead to popularity of STEM.

Let’s look at a few:

Creating a support channel for teachers

Whatever students learn in their classroom, teachers have a great impact on that. Teachers are their first guides and play a significant role in the kind of learning they receive. In this light, it is right to say that teachers’ knowledge and skills affect students’ work and their learning outcomes. Therefore, skilled teachers are first and foremost requirement in creating a STEM learning environment.

Effective teacher preparation can help here:

1. Providing practical learning to teachers
2. Enabling teaching candidates to get involved into the content of their area
3. Focusing on developing their knowledge and capacity
4. Providing them STEM training
5. Allowing them sufficient time to get engaged in teacher development program
6. Providing them skill enhancement programs on regular basis
7. Learning climate

Proper learning environment is essential when it comes to delivering education. Considering the nature of STEM subjects, it is important that the schools provide the kind of environment that facilitates project based learning. Scientific and technology based learning requires state of the art tools and equipment.

Strategic partnerships

Partnerships with institutions to provide support for teachers and students can positively influence the demand for STEM. Curriculum partnerships, collaborations to train teachers or establish STEM labs within school premises can help. These associations and partnerships can enhance the outcome of education system.

Reference Link :

http://stembridgelabs.com/blog/how-to-promote-stem-education-in-school/