STEM stands for “Science, Technology, Engineering and Math”. In education, STEM is a subject that includes mostly project-based learning where students work together to solve a problem. It’s more than just running a science lab, or doing calculations on a worksheet—it involves real-life application and critical thinking.
There is a basic order of tasks that guide professionals in the “real-world” through their problem-solving and design processes. In education, we often refer to it as the “Engineering (or STEM), Process”.
(Click here to download FREE STEM Engineering Process Posters from my TpT Store!)
The STEM Engineering Process
Engineering is a key component in STEM as it provides the framework for most STEM activities. The “STEM” process closely aligns to the steps an engineer would take when developing a solution for a problem.
The STEM Engineering process follows these basic steps:
- ASK – Define the problem
- IMAGINE – Brainstorm solutions
- PLAN – Consider how to best solve the problem
- CREATE – Construct your solution
- TEST – Determine how well your solution works
- IMPROVE – Make your solution better
The “improve” step is SO important! Sometimes the results of a project aren’t everything students were hoping for. They can get discouraged at this point, and close to giving up! As educators, we have the opportunity to help them look at what worked well and find ways to improve what didn’t. This can lead not only to a better solution but also to a more confident student!
Students need the skills to explore and examine, to build and design, and to think critically and make improvements. STEM, in education, is helping the next generation learn important skills that can be used to solve problems and make advancements in the real world.
The infographic poster below gives a basic overview of STEM. Please stop by my TpT store where you can download it for free! Simply click here!
Since you’ve browsed down this far, you might also be interested in in a few exciting STEM Resources 🙂
I’d love for you check-out these activities in my TpT Store, just click on the pictures below! Thanks!
STEM for the Whole Year!
