Tag Archives: STEM

Coding Education, Education, Skills

STEM and Creativity: How They Go Hand in Hand

When we think of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), we often envision formulas, calculations, and technical concepts. However, there’s a common misconception that STEM is devoid of creativity. In this blog post, we’re here to debunk that myth and explore the rich interplay between STEM and creativity.

STEM and Creativity
STEM and Creativity

1. Creativity within the field:

STEM fields thrive on creativity just as much as they rely on data and equations. From designing innovative solutions to complex problems to imagining the next groundbreaking video game, creativity is the driving force that pushes STEM forward.

2. Solving Real-World Challenges:

Creativity in STEM is about identifying unique approaches to solving real-world challenges. Think of engineers designing sustainable buildings, scientists developing life-saving medical technologies, and programmers crafting a code. Each of these endeavors requires creative thinking to develop efficient and effective solutions.

3. Exploring New Frontiers:

Curiosity and imagination are the cornerstones of scientific discovery. Scientists and researchers often push the boundaries of knowledge by asking daring questions and proposing novel hypotheses. Indeed, this creative process leads to breakthroughs that transform our understanding of the world.

4. Innovation Through Collaboration:

Collaboration between individuals from diverse backgrounds fuels innovation. The exchange of ideas from various perspectives encourages creative problem-solving. STEM projects often involve teamwork, where each member contributes their unique insights to achieve a common goal.

5. Art of Design in Engineering:

Engineering is a prime example of creativity within STEM. For instance, engineers not only solve problems but also design products, systems, and structures that are functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing. Balancing these factors overall requires a high degree of creativity.

6. Coding as a Creative Language:

Also, coding, often associated with logic, is also a creative process. Writing code involves constructing intricate sequences of commands to bring ideas to life. Like composing music or writing a story, certainly coding is a language of creativity.

7. STEM Education’s Creative Approach:

Finally, educators emphasize creative problem-solving in STEM education. Also, students are encouraged to explore multiple solutions, think critically, and express their ideas through projects and presentations. This approach nurtures not only their analytical skills but also their imaginative capacities.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, STEM and creativity are not mutually exclusive; rather, they are intertwined in a dance of innovation and discovery. The essence of creativity lies in thinking beyond conventional boundaries, and STEM fields offer a canvas for such imaginative thinking. We believe that embracing creativity in STEM education, we foster a generation of individuals who can tackle complex challenges, shape the future, and truly transform the world. 

Lastly, we invite you to explore our game design, coding and engineering classes for kids at https://www.coderevkids.com/onlineclasses.php

Education, Parenting

Parent’s Guide: Nurturing Your Child’s Curiosity in STEM

As a parent, you hold the key to unlocking a world of curiosity and exploration in STEM for your child. When it comes to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), your support can make all the difference in igniting a lifelong passion for these subjects. In this blog post, we’ll explore how you can play an active role in nurturing your child’s interest in STEM and empowering them to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

Nurture Your Child's Curiosity in STEM
Nurture Your Child’s Curiosity in STEM

1. Embrace Curiosity in STEM Together:

Encourage your child’s natural curiosity in STEM by engaging in their questions. When they ask about how things work or why the sky is blue, take the time to explore the answers together. Curiosity is the foundation of STEM learning and by showing your own enthusiasm for discovery, obviously, you create a positive environment that encourages them to ask more questions.

2. Foster Hands-On Exploration:

Additionally , you can provide your child with opportunities for hands-on exploration. Simple science experiments at home, building projects with everyday materials, and even cooking together can spark their interest in STEM concepts. These activities allow them to see science and math in action, making the subjects more relatable and engaging.

3. Encourage Critical Thinking:

Challenge your child’s problem-solving skills through puzzles, games, and brain teasers. Critical thinking is at the core of STEM subjects. Consequently, by regularly engaging in activities that require logical reasoning and analysis, you’re preparing them for the challenges they’ll encounter in STEM learning.

4. Expose Them to STEM in Everyday Life:

Point out STEM elements in everyday situations. From the technology in the games they play to the design of buildings, show them how STEM is all around us. This helps them understand that STEM is not limited to a classroom—it’s a part of their world.

5. Celebrate Mistakes and Learning:

Create an environment where making mistakes is part of the learning process. When something doesn’t go as planned, help your child understand that failure is an opportunity to learn and improve. This growth mindset is crucial in STEM, where experimentation and iteration are key components.

6. Explore STEM Resources Together:

Utilize books, documentaries, online resources, video games like Minecraft and even visits to science centers or museums. These experiences can introduce your child to new STEM topics and expand their horizons.

7. Support Their Passions:

Pay attention to what specifically sparks your child’s interest within STEM. Whether it’s robotics, space exploration, coding, or something else, support their passions by providing related resources, kits, or classes. (Check our robotics, game design and engineering classes here)

Conclusion:

In conclusion, as a parent, you’re a guiding force in shaping your child’s outlook on learning. By fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and a positive attitude toward challenges, you’re setting the stage for a lifelong love of STEM. Remember, you don’t need to be an expert; your enthusiasm and involvement are what truly matter. We’ll walk with you and your child the journey of STEM discovery together, and watch your child’s skills flourish. 

Education, Parenting, Skills

STEM skills for the future

STEM-based education teaches children more than math or science concepts, it puts an emphasis on preparing children for the future. The skills that STEM education gives to students extend beyond these fields. In fact, STEM helps children develop valuable skills that enable them to be successful in any industry or field they choose. But what are those valuable skills and how can they use them for a better future?

Before stepping into the skills derived from a STEM-based education, we should understand what STEM really means. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The term STEM has become recurrent in school’s curriculum, education policies and skills needed for employment.

STEM skills for the future

STEM is a method of education where these subjects are taught together and not individually. It shows the bridges between these valuable subjects by putting students at the core of the experience. STEM focuses on hands-on experiences, making children active learners instead of passive listeners.

Skills Derived from STEM-based education

The focus on hands-on learning that STEM education encompasses, added to real-world applications, helps children to develop fundamental skills for their future. These so-called 21st-century skills include media and technology literacy, initiative, flexibility, productivity and communication. Perhaps even more importantly, STEM-associated skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, curiosity, decision making, and acceptance of failure are inherent to this learning style.

Regardless of the interests, passions, or future career paths considered by children, these skills are preparing them to be successful and innovative wherever they go. 

Problem-solving

One of the skills that really makes the difference in any life situation your child could face is problem-solving. One can think of all of life as a series of problems of different complexities, in addition to the problem-solving nature of school, university, or in careers: society requires more problem-solving skills than it ever has before. STEM develops problem-solving skills like no other subject because it encourages kids to experiment, make mistakes and learn from their own experiences to find or create solutions.

Creativity

The ability to think creatively and change standards are the basis of innovation. Creativity isn’t as simple as it sounds, but it is not a skill you are simply born with either; you can train creativity. Learning how to think outside of the box can change the way you approach different situations on a daily basis. STEM-based education teaches how to look at a problem from a different perspective while fostering creativity.

Flexibility

In a world where advances in technology, inventions and knowledge change by the day, flexibility is definitively a much-needed skill. Since technology and science change so quickly, flexibility is also integral in success in STEM-related education since they’re always updating themselves. The ability to be flexible will prove incredibly valuable to keep updated in the ever-changing environment around us. Last, learning to adapt quickly will help your student to adapt to a fast-paced career and job market. 

In addition to these life-changing skills, there are also solid numbers related to the increase in STEM-related job opportunities as shown below.

Projections of  STEM-related occupations:

  • According to PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) 75% of fast-growing occupations require STEM skills.
  • Employment in STEM occupations grew by 10.5% or 817,260 jobs, between May 2009 and May 2015. Compared with 5.2% net growth in non-STEM occupations.
  • Computer occupation is showing the highest number of STEM jobs because of the consistent progression in the digital sector. 
  • As a result of the increasing participation of consumers and businesses in the digital economy, computer-related occupations are expected to grow exponentially in the next 10 years. 
  • STEM workers command much higher wages and are also less likely to experience joblessness than their non-STEM counterparts.

-U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Jan, 2021

(Here you can dive even deeper into the stats surrounding STEM-related occupations)

The data above is solid: needs in the job market are changing. That’s why we place so much emphasis on the importance of learning to code from a young age. Preparing children today to become the innovators, inventors, designers and coders of tomorrow begins with a STEM-based education. From schools, camps, and after-school programs we can create hands-on and real-world experiences to prepare our children for a lifetime of success. 

Let us know how you feel about STEM in the comments and if you’re interested in another blogpost about how you can start exploring STEM skills from home!

Education

Is STEM as Important as the Hype Suggests?

Most parents at this point have heard of STEM but not everyone was taught what it means. It stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It’s being promoted as of the utmost importance in part because occupations in STEM fields are growing at about 17% while other occupations are growing at less than 10%.

It’s not a stretch to see that people who work in math, tech, engineering, and science have important roles in the world – and they make more than people in other roles, too. STEM education doesn’t just give kids information either, it actually teaches them to think critically, increases their ability to understand science, and helps to create innovators.

The unfortunate truth is that students in the United States are falling behind other countries in STEM and other fields. That’s one of the reasons that CodeREV Kids created our unique programs to not just give kids STEM skills but to make the learning process fun.

You may be surprised by who can benefit most from STEM

At CodeREV Kids, we have kids of virtually every age and background at our summer camps, after-school classes, and all our programs. However, studies have shown that there are a few demographics who benefit even more than others from learning STEM fields.

Some studies show that there is a serious bridge between the genders and different ethnic groups in schools and the workplace, and this is certainly true in scientific fields. That’s why there have been initiatives all over the country that have helped to increase the roles of minorities and women in these fields.

In order for this to continue, we believe that kids need to get involved as early as possible. The truth is that the ideas that women or minorities don’t belong in these fields is something that children learn. We encourage parents to get their children involved before they ever hear that STEM fields are no place for women or minorities.

Come to CodeREV Kids for all your STEM needs

At CodeREV Kids, we know how important it is for kids to learn STEM from an early age, but we also know that kids aren’t going to learn if they aren’t having fun. We’ve managed to create some programs that are fun, informative, and motivating to kids. We teach them critical thinking skills, teamwork, and a lot more. Reach out to us today for more information on the variety of programs we have available.

Education

Is STEM Really Helping Kids Succeed in the Classroom?

There’s a lot of talk about hands-on STEM projects in classrooms and how they help kids, but do they really? At CodeREV Kids we’ve seen plenty of evidence that they do but we know that not everyone is convinced. Let’s cover some of the basics of STEM based learning and perhaps even those who are skeptical will have a better understanding.

Why a focus on STEM now?

Many parents wonder why all of a sudden they’re seeing a huge focus on STEM. The truth is that the U.S. Department of Labor statistics are a big part in why educational facilities are encouraging kids to get involved in STEM projects at an early age – because there are going to be an estimated 1.4 million new jobs in information technology by the time our kids are ready to start out in a career.

Not only are there are a lot of jobs in STEM fields, but these are jobs that pay higher than other jobs do. In fact, according to the most recent statistics, the most in-demand jobs in STEM fields include technology and engineering.

Jobs aren’t the only reason that parents are turning toward STEM though. STEM projects in schools can help kids prepare for the future in a number of ways, including giving kids the skills needed to tell the difference between a fact and an opinion.

Learning in a project-based atmosphere

Think about how you learn best. Is it by reading something in a book or by getting hands-on experience with it? If you’re like most people, you know that you learn best when you’re able to try something out for yourself. Do you think children are any different? Of course not. STEM topics are perfect for hands-on learning through robotics, Minecraft games, and much more.

Are you interested in getting your kids involved?

If you’re interested in getting your kids involved in coding, one of the most interesting STEM-based projects for kids, then CodeREV Kids welcomes the opportunity to work with you. We have classes after school throughout the year, camps available during school breaks, and we even offer programs at individual schools. If you have questions about your child’s options, or you want more information on why they should get involved, feel free to reach out to us. Our passion is helping your kids discover and build their own passion for technology.

 

Skills

Can You Guess What the Best Paying Jobs in the Country Are?

Many people are likely not surprised that many of the best paying jobs in the United States are those held by doctors. According to a recent article in Business Insider, The Highest Paying Jobs in America, people in the medical field make up about half of the top 25 best paying jobs, with anesthesiologists topping the list as the best paid. But what about the others? Some were surprising to us at CodeREV Kids, but some weren’t surprising at all.

Some jobs surprised us

Would you have guessed that pilots are one of the top 25 best-paid professionals in the United States? Or that marketing managers were? Of course, CEOs are on the list, but they’re not nearly as high as we would have expected. Another big surprise was the six-figure salary of the average Physician Assistant. They must complete about 2 ½ years of post-graduate schooling, but that’s a lot less than doctors, and they can make more than some doctors, depending on the specialty of the doctor.

There was one entry on the list that didn’t surprise us at all

The least surprising job on this list came in at Number 20: Computer and Information Systems Managers. According to the article, their mean annual salary was $132,570. The article also said that there were more than 315,000 people currently working with this job title. That’s pretty impressive – and may make some worry if that’s a bubble that’s about to burst. Quite the contrary.

According to the article, the projected job growth in this industry is a whopping 15% between the time of the survey and 2020. At CodeREV Kids, this isn’t surprising. In fact, we know that there are going to be millions of jobs in the computer industry that aren’t going to get filled for no reason other than that there won’t be enough qualified people to take them.

Getting kids involved early is a great way to prepare them for a future career

At CodeREV Kids, we offer a host of classes that can get kids involved in coding, problem-solving, and the latest technological innovations. Whether they go on to be computer and information systems managers or something else entirely, it’s hard to argue against the fact that technology is here to stay and will be relevant to virtually any job they may want. Contact us today for more info on our many class offerings.

Coding Education

Who Really Benefits from STEM?

There’s a lot of talk about STEM education in schools these days, and the ways it will benefit students, but some parents have started to ask: Who does it really benefit? At CodeREV Kids, we believe strongly in STEM education for all kids, especially those curious about the ways technology works or those who already love playing video games, but we’re also interested in the deeper aspects of who really benefits when these programs are implemented.

A focus on STEM education can help break down barriers

If you look at the current professionals in the STEM fields, it’s easy to see there there’s a serious lack of diversity. This refers both to gender diversity and ethnic diversity. One of the great things about getting STEM classes in front of kids at an early age, is that it can change then. It can break through gender roles. It can break barriers of income, education, and ethnicity.

We live in a global world

It would be hard to argue that the world is not becoming more global. The economy is global in many respects, and finding new people for STEM careers is important if we want our economy to grow. Every single decision we make uses some aspect of STEM, but too often it’s not taught this way. CodeREV Kids and other organizations around the country are trying to change that.

The entire country benefits from STEM classes

The answer to the question is pretty simple: Everyone in the U.S. benefits if our kids are taught the principles of STEM. If overall STEM education isn’t prioritized in this country, then we can easily continue our fall from world rankings in science, math, and other essential subjects. This could prevent us from keeping our global position.

STEM education helps spark an interest in STEM careers in children as young as 3. While schools are more and more frequently offering some type of STEM, coding, or robotics classes, it’s important to not put the entire burden on them. Remember that schools across the country are often underfunded and understaffed. Many teachers aren’t much more familiar than you are with certain aspects of technology.

That’s where programs like CodeREV Kids comes in. We are here to help boost confidence, encourage problem solving, and teach critical thinking skills. To learn more about what we can offer your child, contact us today!

Education

What is STEM and Why is it So Important to Kids?

A recent study by the U.S. Department of commerce shows that occupations involving STEM are growing at 17%. Other occupations? They’re growing at less than 10%. People who have a degree in a STEM field have a higher income than those who are involved in other careers. In fact, science, technology, engineering, and math workers are not only currently playing an essential role in sustaining the U.S. economy, but they will remain a critical component well into the future.

STEM education creates more than you may think

Many parents are surprised to learn that STEM education does a lot more than they think. In fact, it can boost science literacy, create kids who think critically, and enable an entire generation to be more than workers but to be innovators. Innovation is a necessary part of a continually growing economy. It’s clear from stats and observation that most future jobs will require at least a basic understanding of science and math.

What exactly is STEM?

STEM is an acronym that stands in for “science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It’s an essential part of everything we do every day. Science is all around us, technology is quickly expanding into every aspect of daily life, engineering is the basic foundation for roads, bridges, and taking on environmental concerns, and mathematics is used in every job and in every activity we do.

When students are exposed to STEM and given the chance to really explore concepts related to STEM, they’re more likely to take a deep interest and may end up pursuing a job in STEM. Programs like those CodeREV Kids offers gives them a chance to get involved in a hands-on way that can unleash a passion for learning you didn’t know was there. We strive to make math and science not just subjects to memorize, but important concepts that are fun and interesting.

Why is STEM so important?

The National Science Foundation is on record stating that in the 21st century, science and technology have become more important than ever before. As the world becomes more globalized, and the economy focuses more on knowledge than labor, kids will need STEM skills to succeed. Remember that STEM classes can help kids be more creative, to be better problem solvers, and to learn how to engage in the world around them instead of simply memorizing facts.

Coding Education

You May Be Surprised by the Ways Coding Can Help Your Children Excel

If you’re like many parents, you may think of coding as a technical skill. While it certainly is a technical skill, it’s also a lot more. It helps kids interact with the digital world in a different way and encourages them to become makers instead of doers. Studies have shown that coding improves computational thinking skills, which can give incredible advantages you may not have thought.

Coding is a great way for your children to practice math in the real world

People used to say that if a person is interested in programming then they should get good at math. Now it looks like the opposite may be true. Parents and educators alike agree that when kids learn how to code, their math skills are naturally improved – and they claim that math is more fun. Indeed, it certainly ends that age-old question kids typically have of math: When are we even going to use this?

Coding can help improve writing skills

Above all else, coding is creative. It allows children to combine their love of technology with a (sometimes) newfound love of art. Kids can tell interactive stories, they can create their own storytelling parties, and they can learn new skills that will improve their writing – all while having the time of their lives.

If you want to boost creativity then coding is a great place to start

There’s plenty of research out there that creativity isn’t just something we’re born with – it’s a skill that can be taught and that can be developed. When kids learn coding, they cultivate three qualities that can all improve creativity:

  1. Whole-brain thinking
  2. A desire to become a creator
  3. The mindset of an experimenter

Confidence is important and coding can help increase it

Don’t get stuck thinking that the only reason you’d want your kid to learn how to code is because you want them to grow up and become a programmer. While it’s true that it may open up doors in the future – in a variety of fields – it’s also true that psychologists agree that the way to boost confidence in kids is to boost independence and problem-solving. Coding can do all that and more.

Are you ready to learn more? CodeREV Kids is here to teach your kids the fundamentals of this exciting, invigorating, and creative field.

Coding Education

Summer STEM Programs Are Helping Kids All Over the Country

There are many ways to get kids excited about STEM programs and a lot of cool programs all over the country that are doing just that. The Kane County Chronicle featured an article titled STEM program at Elburn library helps children learn this summer that details one program.

Chris Walker writes, “Although it’s the middle of summer, some kids haven’t stopped learning. Emily Owen, a fifth grade teacher at Blackberry Creek Elementary School, is leading a science, technology, engineering and mathematics – STEM – program for second- to fifth-graders at Town & Country Public Library in Elburn.

It’s the first time the program has been offered at the library and, with 21 participants, it has been deemed a huge success. It will run through the end of July. “It’s been really well received,” Owen said. “If we were in the classroom there probably would be a little more planning and stuff because we would have more time, but with just an hour [per week], we’re a little bit more on the play and problem-solving focus. … It’s worked out very well.”

Lily Lake resident Abby Drommerhausen has both of her kids, Emma, 7, and Joshua, 5, in the program. Drommerhausen said she has been pleased. “One of my girlfriends has kids in the program so she’s the one who told me about it,” she said. “My kids just love it. My daughter isn’t into princesses – she’d rather do puzzles – and this has been a perfect fit for her.”

Like many parents with school-age children in the area, Drommerhausen knows keeping a kid’s mind challenged throughout the summer months can be difficult. “It gets to a point where reading and doing stuff with Mom gets a little boring for them,” Drommerhausen said of her kids. “This is something that’s great for the kids, plus not all the kids are social, so this kind of forces them to be social.”

One of the major advantages of a STEM-based program is that teachings often can be incorporated into many others thing in life, which is something Owen advocates. “There’s a lot of critical thinking and engineering-type things that go into STEM,” Owen said. “These are the kinds of things that are going to be huge no matter where you end up in life. Being able to diagnose a problem, then come up with an idea and design a solution, is going to go a long way toward helping them regardless of what they do.”

Of course, at CodeREV Kids we believe that STEM skills are essential for your kids. Not only do they build creativity but these are problem-solving kids that can serve them for the rest of their lives. Check out our spring classes or take a moment to learn more about why coding is so important.