What Is STEM Education? What Does It Offer?

STEM is a learning approach that treats science, technology, engineering and mathematics together. We explain what it offers and how it progresses from kindergarten to high school.

STEM is a concept asked about often lately. This approach, which spread from America to the world, allows a student to develop simultaneously in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Rather than making knowledge memorised, it teaches through experience by way of projects; in this way it builds the link between lessons and real life.

What Does STEM Mean?

STEM is an abbreviation formed from the initials of the words Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Science builds thinking and questioning about life and the universe; technology builds understanding products and using them efficiently; engineering builds problem solving and applying knowledge in real life; and mathematics builds analytical thinking and correcting errors. By treating these fields together, STEM makes comprehensive thinking possible.

The STEM Cycle

What Does It Offer?

STEM strengthens skills such as creativity, critical thinking, communication, cooperation and problem solving. Because students develop projects and products, they gain early on the knowledge and skills that will serve them throughout their careers; they become more enterprising and self-confident. Thinking about solutions to social and global problems also develops social awareness and sensitivity. In short, STEM nourishes most of the 21st-century skills all at once.

STEM from Kindergarten to High School

STEM can begin as early as kindergarten; in fact it is easier and more productive at a young age, because children are naturally curious and questioning. In primary school the fundamentals of interdisciplinary work are taught in a way suited to the level. In middle school the applications become harder and the student takes part in production-based projects. In high school, students work on complex problems; they can develop high-quality products and take part in national and international projects.

In brief

  • STEM treats four disciplines together in a project-based way.
  • It progresses through the cycle of ask, imagine, plan, make and share.
  • It is applied from kindergarten to high school, deepening according to level.

You can explore the advantages STEM offers children in this article, and how it is applied in our What Is STEM and How Is It Applied? article.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age does STEM begin?

It can begin as early as kindergarten; at a young age it is more productive thanks to a child's natural curiosity.

Are STEM and robotic coding the same thing?

No. Robotic coding is an application that uses the accumulated knowledge of the STEM fields, and it is well suited to being taught alongside STEM education.

Gökkuşağı Koleji · By asking, experimenting and creating.