How to Choose a Homeschool STEM Curriculum for Your Child
Homeschooling is a common way for children to receive an education, and it's up to the parents to develop a curriculum following state guidelines. Integrating a STEM curriculum for your child can be overwhelming, but if you have the right information, you can ensure you choose the right activities for their level. This guide will walk homeschool families through the information they should consider to complete their child's STEM curriculum.
What Are the Benefits of STEM Education?
Incorporating a STEM curriculum in your homeschooling lessons can empower students to learn about science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. STEM helps children learn real-world problem-solving skills by analyzing and managing information to solve complex problems creatively. STEM helps children through critical thinking skills with hands-on projects and activities that can help them develop and become successful adults within their chosen careers.
With the growing demand for talented individuals in STEM fields, nurturing your kiddos' innate scientific curiosity could help them develop a passion while setting them up for a secure future.
How Does Your Child Prefer to Learn?
Before you develop your child's homeschooling curriculum and determine STEM activities, you need to get an understanding of how they prefer to learn. Ensuring you are teaching them in a preferred learning style can help them develop confidence and motivation and be more successful in their studies.
What Are Age-Appropriate STEM Topics?
STEM is a fundamental way of educating your children at any age level and grade. You want your child to get the most out of their STEM curriculum, so you want to be sure to choose the suitable STEM topics for their age. A successful STEM curriculum requires you to build on the foundation as they get older and the more they learn.
For kindergarteners through grade two, you want to focus on simple machines, shapes, and easy science topics for engineering, science, and math. Kits such as the Launcher Maker Kit or the Guitar Maker Kit are perfect for kids of all ages.
When your children reach grades 3 through 5, you can begin introducing more complex machines and foundational skills for engineering and introduce arts and technology. Help your kids learn about complex ecosystems and biomes by building a Terrarium Maker Kit.
Once they reach grades 6 through 8, you can introduce advanced science, engineering, technology, and arts through design, understanding electronics, and energy, and even dive into web-based apps.
When high school students in grades 9 through 12 are ready, they can begin advanced robotics, coding, and graphic design. Every STEM topic should be tailored and customized to your child's learning style and preferences to help them get ready for their chosen college or careers.
What Type of Teacher Are You?
Homeschooling is unique to every family and their needs. Approaching homeschooling with a better understanding of the type of teacher you are can help you best decide your curriculum. Your teaching style can be essential to how your child absorbs his or her homeschool curriculum.
We encourage you to seek on resources online and within the homeschool community to help build on your current teaching methods.
What Resources Do You Need?
The resources you need for developing a STEM homeschooling curriculum can vary depending on how your kids prefer to learn and their grade level. Many resources are available to help ensure your children are learning STEM with the right activities and projects. For any STEM curriculum, you will need at least a computer and an internet connection to research the endless resources available. Many STEM activities involve inexpensive materials and hands-on activities. You can purchase STEM kits, such as the many available through Parametric Studios, to prepare fun and engaging activities.
Conclusion
It can be daunting when you're first preparing your STEM homeschooling curriculum, especially when comparing it to public school standards. Thankfully, many resources are available to help you organize activities and lesson plans that can enrich and engage your children at any grade level. Once you begin, you'll be able to develop plans that will naturally grow and become an integral and fun part of everyday lessons.
