Summer break often sparks a question for families: how can we keep children engaged and learning while school is out? For many kids, exploring science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) can be a fun and enriching way to do just that. Yet recent federal cuts to education and research funding have made access to formal STEM programs like robotics camps or advanced math classes less available for many children. This shift places more responsibility on families and caregivers to nurture curiosity and problem-solving skills at home.
Drawing on research and real-world examples, here are four practical and playful ways parents and caregivers can support children’s STEM learning during the summer—fostering confidence, creativity, and critical thinking.
1. Identify Real Problems to Solve
One of the best ways to engage children in STEM is through problem-solving that matters in their daily lives. Encourage kids to look around their home or neighborhood for “problems” that can inspire inventions or improvements. This could mean brainstorming ideas, sketching designs, building prototypes, testing solutions, and sharing results.
For example, a family once noticed their soap dispenser’s straw didn’t reach the bottom, leaving soap unused. Together, they engineered an upside-down soap dispenser to fix this. This process teaches kids the engineering design cycle while using everyday materials like cardboard, cotton balls, and paper.
When children create projects such as a paper marble roller coaster, they naturally explore concepts like height and speed—learning about variables, kinetic and potential energy—while gaining firsthand experience as engineers. Families supporting this creative experimentation help kids apply math and science in meaningful ways beyond the classroom.
2. Spark Curiosity Through Exploration
Learning driven by genuine curiosity is often the most impactful. Many children dive deep into STEM topics when something catches their interest unexpectedly. For instance, a homeschooled child once became fascinated by ladybugs after hundreds appeared in their house. This curiosity led them to research and compare ladybugs with Asian beetles, sparking spontaneous, joyful learning.
Encouraging these “serendipitous science” moments lets children follow their interests organically and discover STEM concepts in everyday life. Parents can join in the exploration, making learning a shared adventure.
3. Facilitate Thinking by Embracing Uncertainty
Encouraging children to think critically means sometimes letting them wrestle with questions without immediately providing answers. A technique called “playful uncertainty” involves caregivers responding to questions with curiosity rather than solutions.
If a child asks how to measure the distance between two cities on a map, instead of answering, you might say, “I don’t know. What do you think?” This invites children to share ideas, experiment, and develop reasoning skills. Guiding them gently after they express their thoughts helps build problem-solving confidence.
4. Bring STEM Into Everyday Life
STEM learning isn’t confined to labs or classrooms—it happens in kitchens, grocery stores, and family conversations. Turning ordinary moments into STEM discussions strengthens children’s real-world skills.
For example, adjusting a recipe to serve more guests can lead to math practice with multiplication and division. Listening to financial decisions within the family can cultivate early financial literacy, an essential but often overlooked STEM-related skill.
Children who grow up engaged in these practical STEM experiences often develop a strong foundation for future learning and independence.
Why These Approaches Matter
Research shows that when families talk about STEM and engage in hands-on STEM activities, children develop stronger identities as learners and gain skills that support later success—even if they don’t pursue STEM careers. These informal learning moments complement and enhance what children experience in school.
With federal funding challenges limiting access to formal STEM programs, families play an increasingly vital role. Creative, supportive, and curiosity-driven STEM learning at home empowers children to explore, experiment, and build resilience while having fun.
Amber M. Simpson is Associate Professor of Mathematics Education at Binghamton University, SUNY. This article originally appeared in The Conversation.
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