Why interactive and hands-on experience beat classroom academics alone…..
When Kids are invited to participate with learning ideas life-long learning grows. Encourage your kids to learn STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) skills by taking them out of the classroom and into the natural wilds and wonders of the museum!
Parents and educators often ask STEM teachers what they can do to stimulate students’ interest and exploration in the Science, Engineering, and Technology fields which appear to be the skills jobs of the future will most need. I tell them the most important feature of a passion to study science is personal unanswered questions, or insights into the way the world works. These questions spark a person’s “need to know” into a passion which transcends normal inquiries and may carry the person to extend and deepen their study in several ways. One way that helps students develop and internalize open-ended questions and follow through with study in a scientific, measureable, and observable way is a first-hand experience with an environment or concept. The “ahh-ha” moment might happen in many different ways, including during a field trip or vacation that includes highly educational and interactive venues! The next opportunity to travel with young people, or when taking a day off work consider an educational venue! Have fun while promoting and modeling your interest in STEAM subjects.
Visit the Exploritorium an interactive exhibit featuring the intersection of Science, Art, and human perception.
Experience first-hand science and football intersecting in the San Francisco 49ers Museum STEM in Football challenge.
In Los Angeles don’t miss the STEM coding and programming introduction to computer animation techniques at the California Science Center.
Now through April 16, 2017 take a look inside the film making industry and the math and engineering behind entertainment.
While near Long Beach Harbor visit the incredible exhibits of natural science exploration at the Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach. The Aquarium designs specific UDL tours for students with disabilities. While on the bay at Long Beach go on a whale watch (in the winter), and visit the historic RMS Queen Mary ship tours for developing STEAM exhibits.
Traveling further up the California coast, where we visit viewing areas of geology, marine biology, and wildlife habit along the way, is a wonderful resource for understanding the uses of and our relationship to the oceans, at Monterey Bay Aquarium, where you can interactive with educational exhibit in person or remotely! This invites involving students to experience hands-on science in all new and virtual ways, experiencing both in person and on mobile devices.
If you find yourself further north in Portland, Oregon take time to visit the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. Where you can take an interactive tour of science and engineering concepts that play a role in our technology-based culture. Plus you can visit a Planetarium and learn about the exploration of space.