4 STEM activities that make your kids sharper

Does your child wonder how balloons fly or how boats float? Is he always full of questions that you have a hard time answering? Introduce him to STEM learning activities and see it doing wonders for him.

STEM is the acronym for an interdisciplinary group of learning that involves science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It is an experiential learning pedagogy that involves application of integrated knowledge, information, skills and creativity for better problem solving; and has evidently become prevalent among K-12 students.

STEM education goes beyond the school curriculum and prepares youngsters to face challenges in the real world. The best part about STEM education is that it allows the student to convert their classroom learning into practical and authentic experiences. Here are 4 STEM activities for your child that will not only foster curiosity but also add to their holistic development.

Building a balancing scale
This is a scientific experiment involving a plastic hanger, a few cups and a string. Here is a step-by-step guide for your child to conduct this STEM activity:

Cut the string into two pieces of 2 feet length each.
Use a single-hole punch to make holes in each cup and attach the strings to them.
Attach the hanger to the wall using a cup hook and use it for hanging small clothes or towels.
Tie the string to each side of the cup and let it sit in the notch of the hanger. The string should support the cup like a handle of a bucket.
Repeat the same process with the second cup.
Make the hanger steady the hanger and make sure that the cups are hanging at the same level.
After levelling, use a tape to secure the string in the hanger’s notches.
Now you and your child can gently put coins inside the cups. The scale will tip towards the cup having more coins.

Counting with pipe-cleaners
This home-made math experiment helps students who often get confused or have a hard time counting numbers. With just pipe cleaners and beads you can help your child learn how to count while showing how numbers increase in size. Here are the steps for the experiment:

Take small pieces of papers and simply label each pipe cleaner with a number.
Place the pipe cleaners in order from the smallest to the largest
String on the correct number of beads while counting aloud.

Experimenting with oil and water
This experiment connects your kid directly to real-life environmental issues like the impact of oil spillage. Here are the steps for her to follow:

Simply mix oil and water into a large container and add few feathers to it.
Try and remove the oil from the water and feather with the help of spoons or sponges.

Creating cloud in a jar
Does your child often wonder what clouds are and how they are formed? This STEM activity will help her understand the concept of cloud formation clearly. Here’s a step-by-step guide for the experiment:

Simply pour a cup of boiling water into a glass jar
Quickly spray some aerosol hairspray into it, and close the lid onto it.