What is STEM?



           STEM is learning through investigation, experimentation and fun.

STEM combines some of my favourite things. Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths and the best bit? There is not a text book in sight! You may also see STEM named STEAM where ART is included. Personally, I prefer STEM purely because I love gardening, plants and it suggests growth, however, I still put Art into the mix and one of my all time favourite activities is art inspired by times tables – what better way to learn them?



I first started a STEM club back in 2007 with the brilliant Ian Murphy (now a Deputy Head Teacher at Heron Hill Primary School in Kendal) when we were teachers together at Britannia Village Primary School in East London. With a small group of 9 & 10 year olds we had the most fun testing out different theories, experimenting with different materials and expanding our knowledge. Some of my favourite activities were:
Fun at one of our messy
play & science birthday
parties
- creating the strongest bridge out of paper where we ended up finding that rolled paper and triangles made some of the strongest structures, which led to the question of why that is.
-understanding how hydraulics work and creating our own – this was one where I definitely learned as much as the children
-measuring the height of Canary Wharf from our playground. What amazed me with this was not the range of different measuring methods or the fact that we were incorporating Pythagoras theorem but the accuracy of the results (thanks to a quick google check!)

How does the heart work?
A Stethoscope started our heart themed
class this week. 
Some of the best STEM activities start from a question. What is the ultimate design for a paper airplane? How can we send a secret message? Is it possible to accurately bounce a marble into a jar? What happens if we mix …..(insert your own kitchen ingredients)? The only problem is that these questions often lead to more questions, more exploration and investigation…. Sorry, did I say problem? I meant to say the best bit! Lou Holtz (a former American football player, coach, and analyst) wisely said “I never learn anything talking. I only learn things when I ask questions.”


STEM activities are definitely something you can do at home though there are also many other ways to investigate. At the Honeycomb Hub the STEM Club is on a Tuesday afternoon, 2pm for 5-8 year olds and 3pm for 9-12 year olds, P50 a session. They are run by a Primary Teacher who specialises in maths and science and has over 10 years teaching experience. STEM is also present in the ‘loose parts and messy play’ sessions for under 5’s on a Wednesday morning, 10am-12pm.

From a Robotics class at Bricks 4 Kidz
However, another great STEM class in Gaborone is Bricks 4 Kidz who use Lego (one of my favourite toys, watch this space for a Lego blog post coming soon!) to cover a range of skills in their classes. They are very passionate about STEM for all ages and would love to work with parents to introduce STEM from pre-school ages. Check their website (http://www.bricks4kidz.co.bw) to check current availability and locations.










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