How do we develop STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) withour Early Years at Udon Thani International School?
Why is STEM important in the Early Years?
We live in a globalised world and challenges such as Covid-19 and climate change highlight the importance of an educated and prepared STEM workforce to help solve problems now and in the future. STEM (refers to the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) is important within the Early Years as young learners are naturally curious. As such their learning, growth, creativity and curiosity can be developed to develop their abilities in STEM through play and exploration. This can provide learners the key skills they need to be successful in primary school.
How do we develop STEM within our Early Years at Udon Thani International School?
At Udon Thani International School (UDIS) our programmes provide the ideal foundation to prepare STEM learners for the future. At UDIS we develop STEM through:
Fostering curiosity
Our young learners are naturally curious and through our International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes we encourage learners to ask questions, explore and engage in hands-on activities. This builds a solid foundation for critical thinking and problem solving skills within our learners that is essential for STEM.
Developing problem-solving skills
WIthin our Early Years we provide our learners with challenges that require children to experiment, make predictions, and find solutions. This nurtures their ability to think logically and analytically which helps develop their abilities for STEM.
Encouraging creativity
Our programmes provide children the chance to experiment and come up with innovative solutions. This develops our learners’ STEM abilities by helping them learn how to think outside the box and how to approach problems from different perspectives.
Building resilience
STEM requires learners who can persist and be resilient. Within our Early Years our learners learn that failure is part of the learning process and that perseverance can lead to success.
Promoting collaboration
Many STEM activities are collaborative, requiring children to work together, share ideas, and communicate effectively which are developed as part of our use of IB programmes. These help our learners develop important social skills and the ability to work as part of a team.
Enhancing mathematical understanding
Our IB programmes paired with the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides learners the grounding in mathematics they will need to be successful with STEM. Our learners recognise how to identify patterns, understand numbers and apply mathematical concepts to real-world situations.
Preparing for future careers
Our use of the IB programmes encourage our students to become lifelong learners. This is important as technology continues to advance and STEM related careers are becoming more important. Developing learners who are flexible, adaptable and who have a love for learning helps prepare them to face this ever changing world.
UDIS, as an IB school, provides learning that aligns perfectly well with developing students who can be successful within STEM. Our use of the IB programmes encourage students to be inquisitive, open-minded, and reflective, which are all essential qualities for successful STEM learners.
Contact us now to find out more information about how we can help you achieve your goals for your children at UDIS.
