"STEM" is an important educational topic sweeping through homes and schools across the world.  STEM is an acronym representing the huge push to teach and involve students in science, technology, engineering, and math. Due to struggling test scores and low enthusiasm in many schools, both parents and teachers are striving to find new and better ways to create greater interest in these critical learning topics. These classroom subjects give our children the keys to a booming future in one of these science-driven fields. Although there are many ways to help encourage a STEM education, robotics education programs are allowing children as young as 6 to learn valuable problem-solving STEM skills. 

The Benefits of Robotics Education 

Whether organized through a private program or founded within your child's school, learning robotic skills is a life-long investment.  These skills easily bleed into other STEM fields such as math and science and allow your child to grow a genuine interest in how the world works. Although these programs teach valuable skills and knowledge, children and teenagers easily become so caught up in the creativity and excitement, they don't even realize how much they are learning. Both parents and teachers will notice the strong benefits; many students experience dramatic grade improvements. 

Discovering a new passion

Some students are unconsciously scared of subjects such as math or science.  They may hear their friends complaining of hard tests or tricky concepts.  Robotics clubs and education help show students that, although challenging, math and engineering skills are not scary. By giving students a fun, creative way to express common math and science principles, these daunting classroom subjects become much more welcoming.  It's much easier to appreciate science when it's helping to power your robot!

Building Teamwork

Many robotic education programs use team clubs and challenges to help build camaraderie and promote excitement.  These clubs sometimes host "robot wars" or team problem-solving challenges.  Whether helping to create the perfect "battle bot" or working to find the answer to a tricky dilemma, your child will gain valuable team spirit.  By learning to work with fellow students, communication and social skills gain a powerful boost.

Coding and Technological Communication

Computer coding and other tech-savvy communication skills are the foundations of a valuable robotics education.  In a growing technologically advanced world, the skills your child learns at their robotics club give them a strong advantage in any computer-driven field.  Although coding seems like a strange, foreign language, many fun, state-of-the-art programs simplify this new language into manageable, practical lessons for any child regardless of age or experience.  

Increased Self-Confidence

By starting children in robotics programs at a young age, they will possess noticeable self-confidence in future math and science classes.  Rather than growing to dread new STEM-based classes, children involved with robotics often look forward to these new opportunities.  Some see these classes as extensions of their robotics clubs and activities.  Self-confidence gained in elementary and high school stays with your child their whole life.  This positive attitude will be a powerful stepping-stone into their college career. 

After-School Involvement

Although some students struggle to stay out of mischief during and after school hours, a robotics program gives your child a safe and enjoyable activity to keep their attention.  Staying active in a robotics club helps them feel productive while also keeping negative influences out of their sphere of contact.  A robotics club isn't meant to be "empty" time or meaningless. Although the activities are designed to be fun, subliminal educational messages are still being encouraged.  

Talk with your child and find out their current interest in STEM activities.  If they struggle with math and science, they may not feel very positive about these subjects.  This is understandable.  However, enrolling them in a school with a strong robotics program is key to helping them not only master STEM subjects but come to enjoy them as well.  

Discover more robotics tools with RobotLAB! 

Check our products page and on our learning platform Engage!K12 and discover more fun and engaging ways to learn with robots! 

Original article here: https://www.methodschools.org/blog/boosting-your-childs-stem-skills-with-robotics