STEAM subjects can really help to prepare children to be able to tackle environmental issues in their future. But sometimes, these lessons can fail to capture the imaginations of young people. For this month's guest blog, Rachel Hall, Managing Director of online educational resource Busy Things, to give 3 ways to get children interested in STEAM learning.
We all love a nature documentary. And, after David Attenborough’s Blue Planet II showed the
shocking impact humans have on the environment, we’ve become even more invested in how we
can change our behaviour to tackle environmental issues. But it’s more than just changing our
behaviour now. We also need to provide a hopeful world for following generations.
The key to a more eco-friendly future is teaching children at an early age all about the world we live
in to inspire them to make a difference. Science, technology, engineering, arts and maths (STEAM) can all
equip our children with the vital skills they need to tackle climate change. But, how can we
encourage them to take an interest? Below, I’ll be outlining some of the ways we can teach STEAM at
home.
Use fun educational tools
A big reason why children can quickly lose interest in STEAM lessons is because there isn't enough to
stimulate their imagination. Copying out sums at home or in the classroom can get boring, especially
for very small children. But new technologies mean apps and games are being developed to add a
fun twist to their usual learning. You can download these straight to your laptop, phone or tablet
and teach your children about many things, from coding and fractions to animals and the
environment.
Using these games can really help to capture their attention and often children don’t even realise
they’re learning! Plus, if you can pique their interest in these STEAM subjects early on, they’ll be more
prepared to tackle environmental issues later in life.
Get them outdoors
Children love to get messy and another way to get them more engaged with STEAM subjects is by
taking their learning outside. The more time they spend outdoors, the more connected they’ll be to
nature, which means they’ll be more likely to think about how they can save it. Plus, the natural
world has so many uses in education.
Encourage them to investigate different ecosystems and habitats around the garden. You could even
build birdhouses and bug hotels with them to entice more insects and animals to your outdoor
space. This is a great time to teach them about how each element of nature works together and how
important it is that we take steps to protect it.
Did you know there is a free Outdoor Adventure book for subscribers to OKIDO? OKIDO is the children's educational magazine with a fun, STEAM topic to explore every month. Find out more here.
Relate STEAM to daily life
Sometimes, children can fail to pick up STEAM subjects because they just don’t see how they can
relate to their everyday life. And, if they don’t understand the importance of these topics, they’re
less likely to carry them on further into their education.
Linking their STEAM lessons back to the environment can help them to develop a sense of empathy
along with each topic. But we also need to show them the real-world applications of each subject to
show them how they can work to make a difference.
Talk about the things they’ve learned at school while you’re going about your usual activities, like
cooking and shopping. So, you could talk about why you avoid produce with plastic packaging, or
why you buy locally. If you can relate their STEAM lessons back to the environment and something
that they’re familiar with, they’re more likely to become interested in tackling environmental issues
in the future. For more inspiration, check out or environmentally friendly OKIDO activity guide.
Teaching our children STEAM subjects can give them the skills they’ll need to be able deal with
environmental issues later in life. But with these topics being an unpopular choice among young
ones, these tips can help them become more engaged with science, technology, engineering, arts and
maths.
OKIDO is the children's educational magazine that explores a fun, new STEAM topic every month. Find out more here.
