November 8th is S.T.E.M./S.T.E.A.M. Day which inspires parents to get their children involved in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics fields. The idea originated from the Project Mc^2 brand, which highlights four fun and intelligent girls and their adventures as members of a spy organization called NOV8 (“innovate”). TechBirmingham and the Chick-Fil-A of Hoover Commons are pairing up on November 8th to offer an introduction into the world of S.T.E.M. along with a special dinner discount.
The idea behind S.T.E.M. is to get kids familiar with the world of code at a young age. Code is a language and the younger it is taught, the easier it is picked up over time. Teaching critical thinking techniques and digital engineering strategies not only helps them on the computer, it helps them in the classroom. Students that are involved in coding courses outside of school often have stronger grades and a better grasp of the concepts being taught at their level. Down the line, the U.S. department of labor believes that nearly all of the ten fastest growing occupations are S.T.E.M. careers. Learning to get involved in the this community at an early age could prove critical towards the future success of our community’s children.
S.T.E.M. Day stimulates organizations to host events that promote the S.T.E.M. fields to young children. Organizations are encouraged to throw events that steer children towards getting involved with the S.T.E.M. categories. For example, TechBirmingham and the Chick-Fil-A in Hoover Commons are teaming up to offer an interactive night of unplugged coding activities. Activities will include short five minute group activities that will allow kids to further their understanding of binary language, sort algorithms and learn how numbers can be used to demonstrate computer commands. Not only is this night a chance to allow children in the Birmingham and Hoover communities to get involved or introduced to S.T.E.M., they are also offering four count nugget kids meals for free from 5-7 pm with an adult meal purchase. Candy will also be provided for kids that participate in the activities. Tuesday night is a chance for parents to introduce or continue to drive their children to the coding world.
Other Birmingham organizations, such as Southern Research, use S.T.E.M. day to pull children from different school systems and bring them together via their interests/achievements in their favorite math and science fields. Students are shown research techniques, cancer treatment labs and daily routines of those involved in the engineering/mathematics divisions. The opportunity allows students to peek inside the lives of people with S.T.E.M. careers and hopefully will provide insight to their own lives and ambitions.
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