The focus on STEAM education is incredibly important in building the next generation of innovators. Careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) are growing in need. Adding the Arts in the STEM equation to equal STEAM introduces a new level of creativity and perspective for problem solving – something we champion at Milliken to design meaningful innovations that ‘do good.’ In our own experience, melding diverse disciplines can result in creativity never before possible.
STEAM education can be imaginative and inspiring for our youth – and it can be honed outside of the traditional learning environment. With school now out of session, we encourage you to continue to inspire children with STEAM activities that blend summer fun with key science, technology, engineering, art, and math concepts.
We’ve curated a list of innovative summer STEAM activities to enjoy outside for endless creativity and family fun.
- S - Science
Bottle rockets are a classic summer activity - inspired by a chemical reaction and created only with a few materials. Kids can keep adjusting the materials using science until they get the perfect blast off. - T - Technology
Technology is not limited to indoor activities – or even its traditional high-tech evoking definition. The sun’s summer heat produces solar power that can create s’mores, all while saving energy. NASA has all the how-to details. - E - Engineering
The egg drop project: Dropping an egg from a second-floor height should almost always result in it cracking. Use household items, like excess yarn, to engineer a vessel to keep the egg from breaking. - A - Art
Ask your child to draw something that inspired them from a summer trip, or channel plein air artists and take them to the park to paint what they see. - M - Mathematics
Have an outdoor bake sale. From measuring cups to keeping track of time in the oven, baking is one way to keep summer math skills sharp, without the kids even knowing it!
Discover more ideas to get your family STEAM-inspired this summer here.
