Build a Robust STEM / STEAM Education Program

Teaching tomorrow’s innovators depends on curriculum, collaboration and access to the right technologies

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education has become a national priority, and with the addition of Arts to the equation (STEAM), knowing when to invest in which technologies as you build out your STEM / STEAM education program can be challenging.

Ultimately, this depends on the learning objectives and desired outcomes of your program.

Learn more about the variety of technologies available for K-12, university and college STEM/STEAM programs ranging from 3D printing to robotics.

Provide the skills and hands-on experience in 3D printing technology that students will need for future careers in additive manufacturing, engineering and design.

As you consider the options for your classroom or lab, think about factors such as material options, easy of use, reliability, facilities requirements and costs over time.

3D measurement optical technologies have become more precise, simple to use and portable than ever before, making 3D scanners a perfect addition to STEM programming. 3D scanning helps students visualize objects and learn how three-dimensional design is made possible through reverse engineering.

With applications in science and engineering, natural sciences and archaeology, applied sciences, research and art and design, the possibilities in the classroom are endless.

Integrating laser systems into K-12, trade and vocational, college and university education can help illustrate complex design and engineering principles to students at all levels.

Selecting the right laser system for your program comes down to the materials you plan to cut, easy of use of the machine, costs over time and safety.

Most STEM/STEAM programs are not looking to train workforce-ready machinists, which makes a significant difference in the types of CNC machines that will make sense for your lab or machine shop.

More often than not, large format routers are idea for a variety of activities for technology education, drafting, woodworking and art. It’s also important to consider the software and safety features that make a machine better suited for student use.

CAD design software is the linchpin that holds together all hardware from 3D printers to CNC machines to laser systems. While these modern technologies will evolve over time, the design process is a steadfast skill students must master to operate any machine or technology today and in the future.

Establish a STEM/STEAM program that allows students to design, test and iterate their designs all within the same industry-standard software they will encounter in the workforce.

Robotics is a fun way to get students excited about STEM and to engage them in complex, strategic problem-solving.

Whether you teach at a K-12, university or vocational institution, explore a variety of robotics kits and packages that introduce students to concepts and skills that are needed for understanding the intelligent, highly interactive information-based technology of the future.

Renewable energy education represents a new exploratory pathway to excite students about the science behind chemistry, physics, life sciences, and earth and environmental science.

It’s also an engaging way to cover your Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) scope and sequence. Learn more about a variety of STEM science kits, which include robust curriculum, available for K-12 and university classrooms.