St Raphael's School Blog

STEM has gained importance in the education sector over the past few years. Educators understand the value of STEM and its positive impact on learning. However, as parents it can be hard to find a clear understanding of what STEM is, how it works in the classroom and how it impacts your child's development. We sat down with Numeracy and STEM Coach Deborah Hansen to unpack these questions and find out what as parents you need to know about STEM.

STEM explained

The four areas that make up STEM include Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. These areas of learning are integrated and prepare learners for the 21st century. STEM allows learners to become critical and creative problem solvers, innovators and inventors.

STEM in the classroom

STEM is about exploring the ethical, moral and historical implications of problems. In the classroom learners use innovation and experimentation to design solutions. They use a hands-on approach to design, plan and evaluate solutions. They use critical and creative thinking to solve algorithmic problems that further enhance their skills and knowledge.

“As a leader in STEM I have seen how the students develop their skills and become more confident to take risks and solve problems. They become more persistent, and each activity encourages and enhances their ability for the next problem. STEM allows us to help create the leaders, scientists, developers, analysists and problem solvers of the future.” Deborah Hansen, Numeracy and STEM Coach.

STEM for primary school age children

Integrating STEM from Reception allows learners to understand the choices they make around their thinking and questioning and gives them the framework to inquire, explore and evaluate. Children are naturally curious, and this curiosity can be encouraged and guided to develop creative and critical learners.

STEM fosters imagination and creativity

STEM’s transdisciplinary approach allows each of its aspects to bring a different lens to problem solving. This hands-on approach fosters ingenuity and creativity which leads to new ideas and further creative innovations. When learners are in a safe environment, they take more risks and collaborate to solve problems in diverse ways.

“Without risk taking and experimentation many of the world’s problems would never have been solved, so it is imperative to teach learners the importance of this from primary school age onwards.” Deborah Hansen, the Numeracy and STEM Coach.

This post was written in collaboration with St Raphael’s School Numeracy and STEM Coach Deborah Hansen. Deborah Hansen has over 15 years' experience teaching and leading in both Catholic and Independent Schools. Her specialties include Numeracy and Digital Technologies. Deborah has a passion for learning and inspiring children to inquire and engage in hands on learning experiences. Her aim is to support students to think critically and creatively and to develop their collaboration skills through carefully planned learning experiences that are designed to engage learners of all ages.

At St Raphael's School we develop the leaders of tomorrow through STEM education.