Teaching science and doing STEM crafts and experiments to imbue a sense of appreciation for lifelong learning in young children. However, teachers themselves need to be extremely inspired in order to exude enthusiasm that’s infectious for young children.

Here are ways to inspire your early childhood educators in teaching STEM subjects and creating STEM crafts.

Do scientific field trips.

During these trips, teachers get opportunities to see wondrous examples of scientific concepts hiding in plain sight. These trips can give them places to draw inspiration from using examples in their immediate surroundings. Children can then learn of technical terms, concepts and ideas easily through empirical evidence abundant in their natural environment. Engaging in active science learning also helps young children foster their scientific inquiry and experimentation skills.

Invite local STEM professionals, scientists, and researchers.

The great thing about science is that processes and concepts are constantly being studied. Inviting STEM scientists and researchers to share new and interesting discoveries in their field can help teachers update their knowledge and also find new ways on how to incorporate it in their teaching to young children.

Watch the news.

Current weather and physical events that can be attributed to climate change are much more interesting and engaging to young children who experience it firsthand. Whether it’s a series of continuous long hot days, constant downpour weeklong rainy weekdays or spontaneous, devastating wildfires, these extreme weather events that have been occurring more frequently than expected or wanted are a great source of ideas for topics that can be discussed and experimented with through mimicking weather conditions that produce such events.

Display natural elements in the classroom.

Having a seashell, tree back, leaf display or even objects that can create perpetual motion can be a source of wonder and curiosity not only for the teacher but also for children. Having these reminders in the classroom help both the teacher and children think about the natural world that surrounds them.