STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEM is important because it pervades into every part of our lives. Science is everywhere in the world around us. Technology is continuously expanding into every aspect of our lives. Engineering is the basic designs of roads and bridges, but also tackles the challenges of changing global weather and aids in environmentally-friendly changes at home. Mathematics is in every occupation, every activity we do in our lives. By exposing students to STEM and giving them opportunities to explore STEM-related concepts, they will develop a passion for it and hopefully pursue a job in a STEM field. A curriculum that is STEM-based has real-life situations to help the student to learn. Programs like E-Kids STEM Virtual Labintegrates multiple classes, to provide opportunities to see how concepts relate to life to hopefully spark a passion for a future career in a STEM field. STEM activities provide hands-on and minds-on lessons to the student. Making math and science both fun and interesting, helps the student to do more than learning.

“In the 21st century, scientific and technological innovations have become increasingly important as we face the benefits and challenges of both globalization and a knowledge-based economy. To succeed in this new information-based and highly technological society, students need to develop their capabilities in STEM to levels much beyond than what was considered acceptable in the past.”

STEM education helps to bridge the ethnic and gender gaps, sometimes found in math and science fields. Initiatives have been taken to increase the role of women and minorities in STEM-related fields. STEM education breaks the traditional gender roles. In order to compete in a global economy, STEM education and careers must be a national priority. Every decision made uses the aspect of STEM, to understand the implications.

STEM education in school is important to spark an interest in pursuing a STEM career by students. However, teachers cannot carry the whole responsibility of STEM education. Parents also must encourage their children to pursue STEM activities and increase the awareness and interest at home, and in extracurricular activities, to realise the merits of STEM education.

Programs outside the school can help children to see that STEM is more than a class to finish. Having activities that show real-life implication of STEM can tug together the ideas presented in school and help, to show how they benefit our society and even our world. Children can see that what they learn now is pertinent to their future and the future of the whole world, thus creating an interest which is often lacking when learning new concepts that do not seem to carry real-world application.

The program offers:

• Energetic and age-appropriate interactive sessions from the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics fields
• Excitinghands-on activities that encourage kids to transform learning into doing
• Engaging virtual labs to accompanythe interactive sessions, giving kids the opportunity to use the concepts they were taught