Crafting STEM Products That Go From Boring To Brilliant

Imagine an elephant and a rider. The rider represents our conscious, responsible mind, while the elephant symbolizes our automatic, emotional side—the part of us that’s driven by fun and whatever’s interesting at the moment. As you can imagine, it takes a lot of energy for the rider to force the elephant to do something it doesn’t want to do. For a short time, the rider might be able to steer the elephant, but eventually, the elephant wins. What should the rider do to direct the elephant against his natural inclinations? One way is to make the elephant curious and excited so that the rider doesn’t have to fight—it naturally goes along for the ride.

The above metaphor from Julie Dirksen’s book –  Design for How People Learn vividly illustrates the dynamics of effective learning. It highlights the techniques of storytelling, incorporating elements of surprise, intrigue, and mystery for engagement.

In the context of STEM education, Kelly Rizk exemplifies this approach by transforming how students engage with scientific subjects. Through her work at Slooh, she provides students with opportunities to interact directly with raw data and apply the scientific method, thus fostering a more immersive and inclusive STEM learning experience.

In a recent discussion with Kelly, she shared insights from her educational journey and how these experiences influence her approach to designing engaging and authentic STEM learning experiences. As we explore the current trends and challenges in STEM education, Kelly provides valuable perspectives on the importance of accessibility, representation, and the thoughtful use of technologies like AI to enhance STEM programs for all learners.

 

How to Evaluate and Adopt STEM Products

Effective STEM learning, much like any form of education, hinges on its relevance to students and their active engagement in the learning process. Central to this is the belief that people learn best through hands-on experiences. To ensure that STEM products meet these criteria, it is crucial to evaluate them based on how well they capture students’ interests and involve them in meaningful, practical learning experiences.

Consider Relevance, Engagement, and Motivation

When a product or curriculum connects with students’ lives and interests, it naturally motivates them to engage more deeply with the material. As Kelly Rizk points out, teachers and administrators need to ensure that a STEM product aligns with the required standards and provides an efficient path to meeting those goals. Time is a precious commodity in classrooms, so products should be intuitive and engaging from the outset. If the product captivates students and drives their interest, they will continue returning to it, ensuring long-term engagement and improved learning outcomes.

Emphasize Minds-On Learning

STEM education is often associated with “hands-on” learning, but Kelly emphasizes the importance of “minds-on” learning—an approach that focuses on mental engagement rather than just physical interaction. While hands-on learning focuses on physical interaction, minds-on learning extends to cognitive engagement, where students reflect on their learning journey. Both methods are valuable, but minds-on learning allows students to build deeper cognitive connections to the material that strengthens their understanding of complex topics.

This approach is crucial for long-term retention, as it encourages students to think critically, apply concepts, and engage in reflective learning practices. “Minds-on” learning ensures that students are not just passively absorbing information but are becoming active participants in their educational journey.

Encourage Curiosity and Inquiry-Based Learning

Students are naturally curious but they often need guidance to tap into that curiosity. Presenting them with a phenomenon to explore at the start of a unit, as many educators do, can sometimes lead to hesitation, with students unsure of what questions to ask. However, as more information is provided or gaps in their understanding are pointed out, students experience those “light bulb” moments—realizing there’s more to discover. This realization, rather than finding the immediate answer, sparks their curiosity and drives them to explore further.

 

Designing Effective STEM Products

Designing STEM products that students and teachers consistently return to requires a careful balance between engagement and accessibility. The challenge lies in creating a product that is not overly gamified or focused solely on fun, but one that integrates engaging elements without sacrificing the quality of learning content.

Balancing Analog and Digital Approaches

When designing effective STEM products, the background of the development team plays a critical role. Teams with a traditional educational publishing background may approach digital tools through an analog lens, simply transferring text or static materials to a screen without fully leveraging digital capabilities. In today’s learning environment, where efficiency and relevance are paramount, such an approach falls short. Students expect interactive, dynamic content that engages them, making it essential to rethink the role of digital tools rather than merely substituting them for analog methods.

Addressing Modern Information Processing Preferences

A common misconception in product design is that students “don’t or won’t read.” The issue is not about students’ willingness to read but rather how they process information. Learners today prioritize clarity and brevity, preferring content that delivers key points efficiently. If a product fails to align with this expectation, it risks disengagement. Products that still operate with a traditional, text-heavy design are likely to lose the attention of students, as they seek content that quickly conveys its value and relevance to their learning goals.

Balancing Fun with Instruction

While some companies with a software or gaming background may focus heavily on engagement through gamification, there’s a risk of overlooking instructional depth. While entertainment elements are important for capturing attention, they must be balanced with rigorous instructional design that promotes meaningful learning. STEM products should not only engage students but also facilitate deeper understanding, ensuring that learning outcomes are met.

Aligning STEM Instructions with NGSS: A Phenomena-Based Approach

Traditionally, science classes have followed a lecture-heavy format, culminating in a confirmatory lab at the end of a unit. However, in an NGSS-aligned (Next Generation Science Standards) classroom, the approach is fundamentally different. Instruction begins with a real-world phenomenon or problem, sparking curiosity and prompting students to notice and question what’s happening. This method engages students from the start, encouraging them to explore the “why” behind the phenomenon and actively work toward discovering the answer. By involving students in the investigative process, this approach fosters deeper engagement and drives meaningful learning.

 

The Mandate of Accessibility and Inclusion

Space exploration has always captivated the imagination of children across cultures and eras. This highlights the universal appeal and importance of this field. Every child, regardless of their background or interests, deserves the opportunity to explore and learn about space and our place in the universe. By making space-related learning accessible to all, we can inspire a new generation of learners and increase diversity in STEM fields. This ensures that every student has the opportunity to explore their curiosity and potential. Here are some ways to make STEM products more accessible:

Inclusive Storytelling

Inclusive storytelling is an essential aspect of creating engaging STEM products that resonate with a diverse student population. By incorporating stories from various cultures and regions, STEM products can connect students to scientific concepts through familiar and culturally relevant narratives. For instance, astronomy has long been rooted in human culture, with people from all over the world observing the skies and crafting stories about celestial phenomena. By sharing myths and stories from different cultures that reflect this shared human curiosity, STEM products can inspire students to explore science through the lens of their own experiences, fostering inclusivity and a deeper connection to the material.

Authentic Representation

Incorporating authentic representation in STEM products means ensuring that diverse perspectives are accurately and respectfully depicted. This involves having individuals from the represented cultures directly involved in content creation. For example, when teaching about astronomy or other scientific topics, it is important to allow people from various backgrounds to tell their own stories, rather than interpreting those experiences from an outsider’s viewpoint. This approach not only enriches the learning experience but also ensures that cultural narratives are portrayed in an authentic and meaningful way. This helps students from all backgrounds feel represented and engaged in their learning journey.

Universal Design

Universal design is key to making STEM products accessible to all learners, regardless of their abilities. This design philosophy aims to create products that work for a broad range of users. This means integrating accessibility features such as screen readers, adaptive interfaces, and customizable settings from the start. By thinking holistically about how different learners interact with STEM content, developers can create products that offer inclusive, high-quality educational experiences for all students, making learning more engaging and accessible across the board.

 

Navigating AI in STEM Education

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to redefine educational practices much like the calculator transformed mathematics instruction. As AI tools are integrated into classrooms, they promise to enhance both teaching and learning.

Benefits of AI:

-AI offers the potential to automate administrative tasks, thereby freeing up educators to focus on core teaching activities.

-It enhances personalized learning by creating customized learning paths and delivering immediate feedback.

-AI is advancing accessibility in education through tools like AI-driven readers and voiceovers, which assist students with various needs.

However, it is important to implement AI thoughtfully rather than adopting it merely as a trend.

Engage in Cultural Communication for Data Integrity and Equity in AI

The effectiveness of AI tools in education heavily depends on the quality and source of the data they utilize. Biases present in data can lead to skewed outcomes and adversely impact vulnerable student groups. To counteract these potential biases, it is important to implement AI tools developed with input from diverse perspectives. Engaging in cultural communication and involving various stakeholders in the creation and evaluation of AI tools can help address these biases. This approach ensures that AI systems are equitable and supportive of all students, rather than perpetuating existing disparities.

Prepare Students for an AI-Driven Future

AI is increasingly becoming a fixture in the educational landscape, influencing both teaching and learning processes. While there is concern that students, particularly older ones, might misuse AI tools, it is essential to address this by integrating AI education effectively. Embracing AI’s role is crucial as it prepares students for a future where AI will be ubiquitous in various fields. Educational initiatives, focusing on AI literacy, must be incorporated to equip students with the skills needed to use AI responsibly. These initiatives not only teach students about AI but also foster critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving skills, ensuring they are well-prepared for a technology-driven world.

 

Best Practices for Developing STEM Products

Edtech has the potential to empower students by placing them in the driver’s seat of STEM education. However, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for developing effective STEM products. Ultimately, success hinges on two key aspects:

Keeping the Focus on Students

When developing STEM products, it is important to maintain a clear focus on the needs and experiences of students. Don’t fall into the generational hierarchy trap that seems to catch every generation eventually. Statements beginning with “Kids today…” often reflect outdated perceptions and do not accurately capture the diverse realities of current students. To truly understand and meet student needs, product developers should engage directly with students, gaining insights from their passion, creativity, and perspectives. Staying connected with students ensures that products remain relevant and effective, rather than being shaped by generational biases.

Designing STEM Products for All Types of Learners

Success in STEM education does not solely depend on students becoming scientists; it is also about nurturing their ability to think critically, learn effectively, and contribute their unique talents to the world. STEM products should cater to a wide range of learning styles and interests, inspiring not only the traditionally inclined scientists but also the artistic, quiet, and imaginative students. By designing products that engage and inspire all types of learners, developers can create tools that foster a diverse array of skills and interests, enriching the educational experience for every student.

 

Conclusion

Today, with so much information available, being scientifically literate is critical, even for an average consumer. Cultivating scientific literacy is crucial, even for those who may not pursue a career in science. By keeping students at the center of product development, educators and developers can create tools that not only inspire future scientists but also equip all students with the skills needed to navigate and understand the world around them.