STEM in our middle schools
Recent conversations about education funding in New Hampshire highlight how schools prepare students for the future, especially when it comes to STEM education. STEM is important because it helps students build real skills like problem-solving, teamwork and critical thinking. However, not all students have the same access to these opportunities, especially in middle school where it matters most.
Some schools offer programs like robotics, coding and hands-on science labs, while others only have basic classes because they don’t have enough funding or resources. This creates an unfair gap between students. In my experience, students are more interested and motivated when they get to actually do things instead of just memorizing information.
According to research by Christensen, Knezek and Tyler-Wood (2015), students in STEM programs are more engaged and feel more confident in their abilities. Without these kinds of experiences, some students may lose interest or feel like STEM just isn’t for them.
Schools should focus on improving funding, training teachers, and creating more hands-on learning opportunities so all students get the same chance to succeed. STEM shouldn’t be something only certain schools can offer, it should be a normal part of every student’s education.