Seeing STEM from a child’s eyes

When my daughters were growing up, weekends and school holidays used to be the most precious time for me as that meant spending time with them. I especially love the moments when I got to show them some activities or games that their dad used to enjoy when he was a playful little boy and helping them see how science is relevant in day-to-day life.??

The world around us is surrounded by the thrilling wonders of science. As parents, I believe that it is up to us to encourage our children to step out of the digital world once in a while to get their hands dirty and explore the world around them while we explain the science behind each of these little joys and fill their minds with knowledge. This also helps to preserve their sense of wonder as they pursue big questions about the world, even if they are stuck at home due to the pandemic.

Today, we are seeing more young people value science and STEM subjects. Findings from this year’s 3M State of Science Index (SOSI) report echoed this sentiment. In the Asia Pacific region, 73% agree that young people are more engaged in science and science-related issues than ever before (vs. 69% globally).

To ensure that the appreciation of science remains high, we need to be intentional in fostering curiosity and encouraging our young ones to unleash their inner scientists. Here’s how I did it:

1.????Help them become nature explorers

The Mudbook Nature Play Framework suggested that children learn science by playing in nature long before they get to school classrooms and labs. Like all STEM disciplines, environmental science emerges in the early years and will build in complexity throughout a child’s life. Regardless of ability, young children are ready, willing, and able to engage in STEM activities.

I lived a simple life close to nature growing up. Drawing water from a well, using oil lamps for light, gathering firewood for cooking, catching fish from the river and growing our own fruits and vegetables was a norm for me. So, when I did study the theoretical concepts in school through biology, chemistry, and physics lessons, it was easier to understand because I could relate it to my personal experiences. This definitely helped spur my interest in science.

When I became a parent, I wanted to create a similar experience for my daughters. I remember once, I brought them to Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) and taught them to catch small fishes and shrimps the old fashion way. My favourite part about that day was seeing my daughters enjoying their time in nature as much as I did. But if you were to ask my second daughter what the most memorable part about that day was, she would have a totally different story to tell as she had her first experience with a leech between her toes. ?

2.????Experiment and learn together!

While technology is a great tool for learning science, we can all do with a break from the screen. Encourage your children to learn through experiments and get hands-on experience by using what they have around them.

Back before the internet era, my daughters and I used to conduct various experiments together such as using citric fruits as an electrolyte to conduct electricity, placing a cardboard on a glass of water and turning it upside down without the water spilling to demonstrate atmospheric pressure, using a magnet and compass to learn about magnetic field, and many more. We had so much fun learning together even when things didn’t go right the first time.

Thankfully, with the advancement of technology, we can now find various online resources such as the 3M Science at Home Experiments that help stimulate our child’s mind with scientific principles. These simple, at-home experiments conducted by 3M scientists use common household items and comes with step-by-step instructions in both text and video. Moreover, there are explanations to ensure that your children can grasp the concept on the experiment. Some of my personal favourites include Walking Water which teaches children about capillary action, Rainbow Bubble Snake which teaches children about gasses, and the Cotton Ball Launcher which teaches children about potential energy.

3.???Encourage with praise and support

I once read an article that said, praise can boost good feelings and increase motivation. It can inspire children to be more cooperative, persistent, and hard-working. If done right, praise can inspire them to keep working on challenging tasks.

As a student, I wasn’t really the type who was into cramming, memorizing and regurgitating information from the textbook. Instead, I performed better when I had the opportunity to apply what was taught. Once, my dad spent a substantial amount of time and effort trying to loosen a nut to fix my bicycle, but it would not budge. I suddenly recalled how my teacher in school taught us that metal expands when it’s heated. So, I went to grab a thermos filled with hot water from the kitchen and poured the water slowly onto the nut and we eventually managed to loosen it. I remember my heart swelling with pride as my dad praised me and how that experience increased my interest in learning and pursuing science.?

Even for my daughters, my wife and I always believed in supporting and developing their interest. We always encouraged them to participate in external activities and make it a point to cheer them on. When one of my daughters told us that she had the opportunity to represent her school to a WWF Eco-Conference in Cameron Highlands in 2014, we were excited for her and glad that she decided to pursue it. Even till today, she will still bring up the experience from time to time. I believe experiences like these would really leave a lasting impact on our children’s life. So, let’s continue to support them in pursuing areas such as STEM or even STEAM.

As the saying goes, a little encouragement goes a long way. Encouraging your child to learn and love science can be simple, fun, and a rewarding journey. By inspiring them to ignite their passion for science and learning, may we too not lose the wonder of the world around us.