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  • Writer's pictureDavid Jack

11 STEM Programs for Kids that Will Encourage a Love for Learning

Updated: Oct 12, 2022


Several different STEM programs for kids are offered by schools, while others are offered by community organizations or private companies.

These programs are specifically designed to introduce young students to basic concepts in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). They often use a hands-on approach to learning, which can help make these concepts more understandable and enjoyable for young students. Many offer prizes for individual and team challenges within the programs. Some of the most popular STEM programs for elementary school students include Science Olympiad, FIRST Lego League, and The Big Bang Theory STEM Program. Please note: some programs in this article are no longer accepting participants. Please contact each one individually for current information.

The following programs all offer different ways for students to learn about and engage with STEM concepts.


THE BIG BANG THEORY

The Big Bang Theory STEM program is an initiative by the American television sitcom The Big Bang Theory to promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. It was launched in 2014 with a $4 million grant from the National Science Foundation and in association with UCLA. Since its launch, the program has supported over 200 STEM programs across the United States. In 2016, the program expanded its reach to include Canada and Mexico.

The program's goal is to increase interest in STEM fields among young people, and to encourage them to pursue careers in these areas. The program does this by funding STEM education programs, and by partnering with organizations that provide STEM resources and opportunities.

stem program for kids

THE AMAZING RACE

The Big Bang Theory STEM Program has partnered with The Amazing Race to create a STEM-focused edition of the popular reality television show. The Amazing Race: Science Edition will feature challenges that require contestants to use science, technology, engineering, and math skills to complete tasks. The winner of the race received a $1 million prize, which will be used to fund STEM education programs in their community.

MYTHBUSTERS JR.

The Mythbusters Jr. STEM Challenge is a competition for kids aged 8-13 that uses the same format as the popular television show Mythbusters. In each episode, a team of two kids will attempt to debunk a popular myth using science, technology, engineering, and math.

The winning team could receive a $10,000 prize, which will be used to fund STEM education programs in their community.


Some other STEM programs for kids :


3M YOUNG SCIENTIST

The Big Bang Theory STEM Program is also a proud sponsor of the 3M Young Scientist Challenge. The challenge is open to students in grades 5-8 who are interested in science.

To enter, students must submit a one-minute video explaining their idea for a science project. A panel of judges will select ten finalists, who will each receive a $25,000 grant to fund their project.

The grand prize winner will receive an additional $50,000 grant, and the opportunity to work with a 3M scientist on their project..


CODE BREAKER

The Code Breaker STEM Program is an initiative to promote STEM education. It was launched in 2014 with a $4 million grant from the National Science Foundation.

Since its launch, the program has supported over 200 STEM programs across the United States. In 2016, the program expanded its reach to include Canada and Mexico.

This program teaches students how to code using Scratch, an online programming language. The program's goal is to increase interest in STEM fields among young people and to encourage them to pursue careers in these areas. The program does this by funding STEM education programs, and by partnering with organizations that provide STEM resources and opportunities.


LEGO

The Lego League STEAM Program is a great way for kids to learn more about math, science, and engineering.

Stem program for kids - 2

The program is designed to help kids aged 9-16 understand these concepts through hands-on learning.

The program offers a variety of resources, including a website, curriculum, and kits. The kits contain everything needed to build a LEGO robot, which can be used to complete challenges.

The program also offers competitions, which give kids the opportunity to showcase their skills. The competition includes three parts: the Robot Game, the Core Values Challenge, and the Project Challenge.

The Robot Game is a timed event in which teams of up to ten kids must use their LEGO robots to complete a set of tasks. The Core Values Challenge is a team event in which kids must work together to solve a problem. The Project Challenge is an individual event in which kids must develop a solution to a real-world problem.


NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

The National Geographic Kids STEM Program is a great way for kids to learn about the world around them. This program is for kids aged 3-12 and is designed to encourage kids to take an interest in math and technology. It does this by providing them with a variety of activities and games that are both educational and fun. The program also offers a number of books and other resources that can help kids learn more about the world around them. These skills are important for success in school and in life. The National Geographic Kids STEM Program is a great way for kids to get started on the path to a successful future.


THE SPACE RACE

The Space Race STEM Program is a great way for kids to learn about math, science, and geography. Through this program, they will be able to understand the basics of space travel and its impact on the world. The program will also teach them about the different types of space vehicles, how they are launched, and what their mission is. In addition, they will be able to learn about the different planets in our solar system and their unique features. This is an excellent way for kids to learn about the world around them and how it all fits together.


THE JUNIOR ARCHEOLOGIST

The Junior Archaeologist STEM Program is perfect for kids who love history and want to learn more about archaeology. They will be able to participate in digs and learn about ancient cultures. They will also be able to use the latest technology to help them in their studies. This is a great way for kids to learn about our world and its history.


JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT

The Junior Achievement Program is another excellent STEM program that helps kids learn about business, economics, and entrepreneurship. This program will teach them essential skills that they will need in the real world. They will also be able to learn about financial literacy and how to manage money. This is a great way for kids to learn about the world of business and how they can be successful in it.


SCIENCE OLYMPIAD

The Science Olympiad Program is a popular worldwide competitive event where elementary and middle school students team up to compete in various science-related events. The program's goal is to inspire and motivate kids to pursue careers in science,

technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Science Olympiad Program offers many different events for kids to participate in, such as the Egg Drop Challenge, where teams have to design a contraption that will protect an egg from breaking when dropped from a certain height; the Bottle Rocket Challenge, where teams have to design and build a bottle rocket that will travel the farthest distance; and the Crime Busters Challenge, where teams have to solve a crime using forensics.


BONUS: A SUPER-FUN STEM SCHOOL ASSEMBLY

We encourage all readers to explore the possibilities of bringing SchoolAssemblies Brands' STEM school assembly program entitled, BOT! The Secret World of Robots, to your school. This STEM assembly is a proven winner and excites and encourages students' interest and participation in STEM Learning.


CONCLUSION

The article discusses MANY different STEM programs for kids. All of these programs are excellent ways for kids to learn about the world around them and how they can be successful in it. There are many other great STEM programs out there that kids can participate in. By getting involved in these programs, they will be able to learn about a variety of topics and gain valuable skills that they can use in their future. STEM education is important for kids of all ages, so be sure to encourage your child to participate in one of these programs. Who knows, they might just end up being the next great scientist or engineer!


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