As the world of technology continues to evolve and more career opportunities become available, it is becoming increasingly critical to include STEM education in our schools. It’s not an unpopular want amongst school communities either. According to Code.org, 90% of parents want their children to learn computer science skills, yet only 60% of high schools offer this subject within their curriculum.
Thankfully, as the importance of computer science grows, so does its accessibility for schools. School principals can use their role in leadership to spearhead computer science initiatives for their students by using practical strategies that can bring coding and STEM tools into the classroom.
Scratch for Young Coders
One effective way to bring coding into the classroom is by introducing Scratch, a programming language that is visual and aimed at teaching young students how to code. Its drag-and-drop interface makes it easy for students to understand programming without trudging through complex text-based coding.
Scratch offers a variety of projects for students to start with, and their results cater to young students’ interests including games, interactive art, music, and animating stories.
Best of all, the Scratch platform is incredibly accessible as it is managed by the non-profit organization, the Scratch Foundation. That means it’s free for everyone!
Computational Thinking With Code.org
Code.org is another nonprofit that’s on a mission to bring coding skills to classrooms across the country, allowing it to be a free service.
The courses offered by Code.org are designed to target students at different grade levels. Not only are they structured for each age group, but their simplicity also allows them to be integrated into the classroom with minimal preparation from teachers.
These programs can encourage great progress in computer science skills, but it is also important to check in with students to determine how they are learning. Use reflection questions at the end of each lesson to help students showcase their understanding of coding logic. This is especially significant when done in group settings as students learn to collaborate with each other on coding projects.
STEM Learning With Robotics
Online coding programs aren’t the only way to gain skills in STEM. Kits like those from VEX Robotics and Sphero offer hands-on learning opportunities, including for aspects of STEM like coding.
Like digital coding platforms, VEX Robotics scales its kits so that they are tailored to each grade level starting in Pre-K through Kindergarten. The older the students get, the more advanced their students will be, with kits in grades 5 through 8 introducing Python and C++.
Sphero’s kits also cater to different age levels, and they come in class packs with mats to foster growth in coding literacy. Students can work together and learn skills such as pattern recognition and working with algorithms, all in the physical world.
Beyond coding skills, these hands-on experiences also provide an added layer of knowledge of electronics and mechanical engineering.
Although the Sphero kits can be pricey, they offer multiple funding resources to help get their kits into the classroom. Government funding could potentially be awarded to support kits, and Sphero offers a page with all the potential grants that schools could apply for and utilize.
By combining coding with practical, hands-on experiences, robotics kits not only enhance students’ STEM skills but also spark creativity, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of how technology works.
With tools like Scratch, Code.org, and robotics kits in the classroom, school principals can help students develop essential coding and STEM skills that prepare them for future careers. These engaging resources don’t just teach technical skills. They also encourage creativity and collaboration, which will further equip students to succeed in an increasingly digital world.
