Many of the problems we face in our world today will not be solved by today’s adults, but by the students in our classrooms. Whether it is inventing a better way to distribute clean water, repopulate endangered species, or traveling and colonizing Mars; our students will be the ones leading the way. We don’t have to wait though to help them along their paths, we can inspire them now to change the world. Below you will find 5 ways you can use STEM experiences to inspire your students to begin changing the world now and not waiting till later.
Find and Engage Students Around their Passions
- Our students are excited and passionate about things happening in the real world. Whether it is helping hurricane-devastated areas, providing support to local homeless shelters, or becoming shark week activists; connecting their passion to a project-based learning unit or providing the opportunity for students to become advocates can help develop STEM skills for the future. Check out the video below to learn about Sean Lesniak and how he became a Finbassador for Shark Week.
Develop an Innovation as part of the 3M Young Scientist Challenge
- Students, grades 5-8, are invited to create a video describing a new, innovating solution that could solve an everyday problem. Finalists are chosen for their passion for science, a spirit of innovation and ingenuity, and effective communication skills.
- Teachers can dig into lessons on how innovations are changing the world.Students can learn about this year’s finalists and see how student-developed local solutions can have global impacts! Click here to view Young Scientist Lab resources.
- Watch the finals on October 17th at 3pm EST – Your students can see people who are their peers sharing ideas to make the world a better place. If these kids can do it, why not your students? Click here to register for the LIVE event!
Take part in the Socktober Challenge
- There are numerous simple ways to make a local impact through service learning. Socktober asks students to collect (or sell and collect) socks for local shelters as we approach winter months. Kid President does a great job explaining the impact of Socktober…
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We Help Two puts a new twist on this by making Socktober Glocal! Students can sell socks that raise money for a child in a 3rd world country to receive a prosthetic leg! For every pair of socks sold, a pair is donated to a local shelter as well! STEM Glocal impacts! Click here to learn more about students making a Glocal impact with We Help Two.
Solve the Grand Challenges for Engineering
- The National Association of Engineering developed 14 game-changing goals that will make the earth a better place for all humans. These challenges will be solved by our students, so why not start now? Stop asking our kids what they want to be; start asking them what problem they want to solve.
- Discovery Education STEM Camp (FREE) allows students to explore three of these challenges: water, energy, and urban infrastructure and can be used as a summer camp or an after-school club. Click here to access free STEM Camp resources.
Bring the World to Your Students with Virtual Field Trips
- We know real life inspires students to act and when you can’t bring students to the real-world, we have to bring the real-world to them! Virtual Field trips are a great way to engage and inspire students. Join Polar Bear International scientists and Discovery Education this October in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada for the annual polar bear migration. Students can connect live to field scientists! Register here for the Virtual Field Trip on October 26th, 2017.
- Polar Bear International has a vast range of resources to guide students, teachers, families, schools, and communities in getting involved. Two-thirds of the polar bear population could be wiped out this century and we each could make a difference. Click here to get involved with this movement with Polar Bear International.
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