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Summer break is an exciting time for students full of good weather, time with friends and family, and an opportunity to explore things that interest them. During the school year, educators and students follow a somewhat strict curriculum map, outlining what lessons will be taught to align with the necessary state standards, such as Common Core State Standards (CCSS), Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and K-12 Physical Education Standards. The summer months provide students with the flexibility and freedom to lean into areas that interest them that were either briefly covered during the classroom curriculum or not at all.
For kids interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), summer programs and camps are a great way to improve STEM literacy over the summer months and fuel a passion for STEM as a whole, or specific areas of STEM. This article outlines the 8 benefits of summer STEM programs and camps, emphasizing why parents should proactively sign their students up for the upcoming summer!
Summer programs and camps are a great way for students to continue strengthening the academic skills they gained in the classroom. The benefit of summer education is it does not require students to stick to any specific timeline, allowing them to slow down, ask questions, and think critically about what they are learning.
These programs and camps are also an environment that promotes hands-on learning with real-world examples. Both of these learning experiences have been proven to increase student comprehension, engagement, and retention. So, students can head back into the academic year stronger and ready to tackle any new curriculum challenge.
STEM learning fosters creative and innovative thinking, which allows STEM professionals to continue creating groundbreaking advancements that better our society. Summer programs and camps can include a variety of activities that promote critical thinking, such as:
Summer camps and programs create a social environment where children can exercise their collaboration skills. The ability to work cohesively with team members is a key skill for success in the STEM workforce. Oftentimes, traditional classroom lesson plans favor individual work time, rather than group learning activities. Summer programs have the flexibility to give students time to work in groups, strengthening their communication and social skills, which will benefit them in their personal lives and future careers.
When students can connect what they have learned to a real-life situation or career, it has an impact on the way they view their education and how it plays into their future career path. Summer camps and programs can show students STEM jobs they can one day fill if they continue to improve their STEM literacy.
Another way STEM summer programs can help students prepare for future careers is one-on-one access to qualified, passionate STEM mentors. The educators and facilitators running these camps and programs have devoted their time and effort to giving students the academic and personal guidance they need to succeed in STEM education and STEM careers.
The summer slump is a term used to describe the loss of learned information from the school year by students over their summer break. While the summer slump happens across all subjects, it impacts STEM subjects most, mainly due to their technical nature. Having students engage in summer STEM activities is an effective way to combat the summer slump and ensure students enter the new school year with a strong grasp on last year’s core concepts, leaving them ready to take on the new curriculum!
It is no secret STEM subjects can be difficult. Students often find themselves dreading STEM lessons because they have a fear of failing or not grasping new concepts as quickly as their classmates. Summer learning opportunities create a flexible, approachable learning environment for students to get up to speed or get ahead in STEM subjects. This confidence boost and sense of personal accomplishment will lead to a more confident learner in the classroom, which will correlate to better overall performance.
Many summer STEM programs offer students access to new, advanced technology that may not be accessible at their school. Below is a list of potential technology tools students can interact with at summer camp, creating technological literacy.
Aside from the obvious educational benefits offered by enrolling students in summer enrichment programs, they are a fun, enjoyable environment for the students! They are around like-minded students with similar interests and passions, which makes it a great place to make new friends.
Summer STEM programs and camps are a great way to help your child get ahead for the coming school year. It is also the perfect environment for them to start exploring their passions and thinking about what career paths they may want to pursue. Even at the elementary level, it is not too early to start talking about potential careers!
If you are a parent looking for ways to keep your student academically engaged this summer, STEM programs, activities, and camps are an effective option.
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