STEM Education: How to Spark Your Kid's Interest in Creative Innovation by Jessica Acree

“As engineers, we were going to be in a position to change the world – not just study it.” – Henry Petroski, American engineer

According to the U.S. Department of Education, "it’s more important than ever for our youth to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to solve tough problems, gather and evaluate evidence, and make sense of information." That's where the acronym STEM comes in: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

More and more schools are catering to a STEM education, giving young minds a chance to really dive into these subjects while making hands-on learning part of the curriculum to really get their mental gears moving. Sparking an interest early could be the key to future success! There are ways you can fuel your child's thirst for innovation, too! Check out these ideas:

• Look up Engineering for Kids programs in your community.
• Check out a local robotics competition – many schools have teams.
• Enroll in a monthly subscription like STEM Discovery Boxes or StemBox.
• Type "STEM projects" into Pinterest and take your pick! So many fun ideas for all ages.

What STEM activities have your kids enjoyed experimenting with?