How to nurture a passion for STEM
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STEM has become one of the more popular academic phrases of recent memory. But it’s far more than a beloved buzzword, as the concepts are expanding the way the next generation approaches these engaging academic subjects. An acronym for “science, technology, engineering, and maths”, it’s helping give rise to the cool side of logical, analytical thinking.
With so many programs working towards educating students from all walks of life, now’s the perfect time to dive into your passions for STEM. So, how can you further shape your interest in science, tech, engineering, or math?
School and community clubs
Have you ever had that moment where you went into a long rant about your favorite hobby and watched as your conversation partner’s eyes glazed over and you just knew they weren’t nearly as excited about it as you were? We’ve all been there and that’s exactly why clubs exist!
Working together with a group of people with similar interests is a great way to develop your skills and interests. You’ll find yourself surrounded by a community of people who are interested in and passionate about the things you are. And that’s when your favorite subject can really be explored!
Further reading:
Robotics and computer programming club This is a fun club that takes place in Torbay. Offering students the opportunity to grasp basic (and a few more complex) computer science skills before graduating high school.
Girls who Code Did you know that fewer than 1 in 5 computer science graduates are women? This is a sobering reality when considering that tech jobs are among the fastest growing in the world. Computer science skills will be important for the next generations. That’s why Girls Who Code was founded with a single mission: to close the gender gap in technology. With a community of more than 90,000, GWC is helping educate and empower women, successfully closing the gap in tech.
Full STEAM ahead Read about how our New York campus is incorporating science, tech, engineering, and math into their curriculum in and outside of the classroom.
Online courses
While school clubs offer a great space for students to connect with each other, some students prefer self-paced study. If you’re looking for resources outside of the classroom or community, there are plenty of resources online. Online courses have gained such popularity, many universities and affiliated members offer courses put together by some of the most brilliant minds in their field.
Further reading:
Teach Yourself Computer Science If you’re looking to get ahead of the curve studying computer science, this is a great resource. Started by Bradfield School of Computer Science instructors Ozan Onay and Myles Byrne, this site offers straightforward answers. They clearly guide you on which subjects to learn and offer realistic resources to study them.
edX Started by MIT and Harvard University in 2012, edX is working to change the way we approach education. You can enjoy resources from top-level universities and allow that to provide you with some insights on what you might need to study to get into your desired industry. You can take self-paced classes in engineering, maths, and sciences, along with a few that teach principles of computer science.
Phone and tablet apps
We all know the endless scroll that comes with having a mobile device. You open your phone to quickly check a text and before you know it, you’ve hopped in and out of two or three apps and 15 minutes have gone by. But next time this happens, you have the chance to study some STEM!
There are loads of helpful apps out there to give you the opportunity to enhance your skills and expand your knowledge on a given subject. Some gamify learning, helping you master basic principles while playing a game and others offer short, but memorable lessons on a subject like coding or the periodic table.
Further reading:
SoloLearn The SoloLearn app is a great way to learn more about coding anywhere you go. The goal is to eventually learn to create your own code from your phone or mobile device. You can teach yourself C++, Ruby, Javascript, HTML and other key programming languages you’re interested in. Best of all, the programs are self-paced and the apps are completely free.
Khan Academy Founded by MIT and Harvard graduate, Salman Kahn, Khan Academy is a well-known non-profit organization that offers several free online tools for students all over the world with the simple mission to accelerate learning for students of all ages.
Attend enrichment activities
Finally, if you want to nurture your passions for STEM, simply turn the world into your classroom. If you think you might want to study engineering at University of Oxford or computer science at MIT, what better place to go than the source? Read below about some of the thrilling expeditions and adventures EF Academy students get to experience firsthand.
Further reading:
Quantum physics at the University of Oxford Read about how students at our Oxford campus are learning more about physics with trips to University of Oxford.
Science and Engineering at Southampton University Learn more about how engineering and science students have the chance to gain firsthand knowledge about their fields of study at one of the leading universities in the UK.
Computer science students compete in MIT Hackathon Enjoy a thrilling recap of how computer science students put their skills to the test by stopping by MIT’s world-famous Hackathon.