S.T.E.M. - Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics - is much more than just the content.
STEM is a way of thinking.
It's an intentional integration of the content in such a way to make it something more than just facts and nuggets of knowledge; more than the sum of the pieces.
Using the processes of scientific method and engineering design,
STEM education is driven by
questions and problems (not answers and solutions),
failures and do-overs (not rehearsed or cook-book style labs),
critical (not criticizing) communication,
and continual evaluation (not summative assessment)
with others (not in isolation).
STEM is messy.
STEM celebrates mistakes.
Good STEM instruction becomes an infusion of understanding through experiences that includes and requires
creativity,
communication,
collaboration,
critical thinking,
diversity,
art and,
PLAY!
so much more than just the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics that gets marketed as STEM.
In STEM education, we tend toward science-dominant, engineering-dominant instruction, or tech-dominant.
Thatʼs 100% natural and appropriate based on comfort levels and strengths of the teachers.
However, with true STEM instruction, I feel that it is important to endeavor toward a harmonious balance.
After all, Engineering is applied Science:
without the Science, the Engineering lacks foundation
and without Engineering, Science lacks intent.
Technology brings it all conveniently and beautifully into our lives.
And Math - Math is the tool, the language, the glue that indicates and allows for improvement and innovation.
So, with little steps as you do or practice your own STEM, continue to challenge yourself with
“Why?” for Science,
"How?" for Technology,
“So what?” for Engineering, and
"Might there be a better way?" with Math.
- embracing all is a process which require many iterations for success!
Often a contested discussion in STEM education involves technology.
Fact: we live and work and teach in a world that requires gadget savvy and fluency.
Myth: technology is bright-shiny machines and robots.
So as people struggle to infuse technology into their STEM life, remember that Leonardo da Vinci was and is a brilliant technologist and that the paperclip was groundbreaking tech.
Technology is the tools of Science, Engineering, and Math:
Tech is any delightful and accessible stuff that brings STEM into hands and minds.
Tech can be rulers, rubber bands, cotton balls, wires, ramps, ....
whatever you have that makes science, engineering and math happen.
Not just the newest and latest gizmo.
Finally, STEM is for EVERYONE! Because STEM is a mindset - a lens through which connections are made and phenomena are experienced and understood - all perspectives are essential to doing real STEM. Every effort should be made to have all STEM opportunities accessible to all - free from privilege and intentionally accommodating to any with restrictions. This belief is central to my passion and my choice to teach STEM to all elementary students in a public school.
To me,
STEM itself is fascinating and awe-inspiring.
The skills and processes of STEM are essential to being a good human.
ALL kids, all people deserve STEM.
Kristina Stem
[Written in 2016 (preAi). Still true today! (KStem 8/25/2026)]