We know elementary school is a critical time for students’ career interests. By the end of fifth grade, some students have already decided to pursue a career in STEM, while others have concluded such a career is “unthinkable” (DeWitt, 2011). The good news is that teaching about professions at the elementary level can affect this trajectory: students with greater knowledge of STEM careers are more likely to aspire to careers in those fields. (Blotnicky, 2018).

Happy MASS STEM Week! Today, Monday October 17th marks the beginning of the annual MASS STEM Week, a coordinated effort to boost the interest, awareness, and ability for all learners to envision themselves in STEM education and future careers. This year’s theme is “See Yourself in STEM,” with a particular focus on the power of mentoring.

As elementary educators, you know the importance of being prepared, especially as you prepare to teach STEM. To help you get ready for the coming school year, we’ve gathered our top quick tips for teachers returning to the classroom.

Are you ready to keep your kids engaged with STEM learning and fun this summer? Our flexible OST curricula is specifically designed to meet the needs of out-of-school time educators and their students. Check out this list of our top picks for summer STEM learning.