STEM Activities for Adults
If you want your kids to be lifelong learners, why not model that behavior for them? Doing adult science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) activities in tandem with what your child is learning or the best STEM toys on the market is a special bonding opportunity–and a demonstration of how classroom knowledge can be applied in the real world.
An added benefit of participating in STEM activities as an adult is that you can gain a competitive edge in the workplace by learning new ways of thinking and problem-solving. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics also estimates that the number of STEM jobs will grow more than 10% by 2031 and pay about double what many other professions do. This is why team-building STEM activities and STEM activities for high schoolers are so important!
Adults Learn Differently
Adults have fully formed brains with ingrained thought processes based on years of experience. New information needs to build on existing skills and knowledge.
Project-based STEM activities are designed just that way. With the right resources and instruction, STEM activities help adults create new neural connections and brain pathways. Adult learners can leverage existing skills to solve real-world problems and drive innovation.
Put Your Knowledge to Tangible Use
If you have children, doing STEM activities is a way to practice what you preach and mentor your children working on their own STEM activities.
Learn how to code, build a website, or create an app. At the same time, your kindergartener could learn about sequencing, conditionals, functions, variables, and other coding principles with the Kids’ First Coding and Robotics program from Home Science Tools.
If you enjoy sailing, put your STEM skills to the test by learning marine navigation and how to take care of a boat while at sea. Have your third-grader complete the Weather Experiment Kit from Home Science Tools to track weather patterns and ask for their opinion about the weather and wind patterns where you want to sail.
At home, start an interior renovation project. Build a shelving unit for an oversized closet, install a brick patio in the backyard, or retile a bathroom. Most people with basic STEM skills can complete these do-it-yourself projects. Your middle schooler may have something to contribute to your home renovation while working through our Structural Engineering Bridges and Skyscrapers experiments.
If you are confident in your skill level, try installing solar panels at home. You will use STEM skills to determine loads, assemble the components, and design the project. Your child will want to chip in after exploring the Home Science Tools’ Solar Power Study Kit.
Stay Engaged as an Adult with STEM Activities
STEM activities not only prepare young people for the future–they can help adults stay relevant in their professions. In addition to expanding your knowledge base, STEM activities will hone adult analytical and critical thinking skills by offering new perspectives and ways of problem-solving. Even later in life, engaging in active learning contributes to better mental health and may help slow or reduce cognitive decline that can happen with age.
