Q&A
Welcome! If you’re looking to sign up your kids for a STEAMinis workshop and want some extra information, look no further! We have complied a list of common questions for parents
What is STEAM?
STEAM is short for science, technology, engineering, art, and math. You have heard about STEM–which is just science, technology, engineering, and math– but not about STEAM.
Here at STEAMinis, we decided that we wanted to teach kids to love STEAM, not just STEM, because we believe that being creative and artistic is an important skill that kids need to learn and utilize.
Why is STEAM important?
Nowadays, STEAM is everywhere; in the mobile devices that can be found everywhere, in the cars that we drive, and in everyday articles, such as, a microwave, and a fridge. STEAM holds the keys to the future of our planet, for it’s how we will stop climate change, how we will continue to better healthcare, and how we will make a technologically developed world.
As a consequence, it’s essential for kids nowadays to learn about STEAM. STEAM is also important because it can help to make your children’s future bright. STEM jobs are expected to grow significantly, and right now, science & engineering careers earn more than double the income of the median job in the United States. If we want to prepare kids for future opportunities, learning and development of STEAM skills is vital.
Why STEAMinis?
STEAMinis’s goal is to spark a love and passion for STEAM by introducing kids to the amazing concept of STEAM at a young age. Although there are a lot of other programs online that aim to do this, many of these other programs require a paid subscription for the material, so it’s not accessible for everyone who so desires it. Secondly, these programs are not interactive programs, so the kids are given the information or materials to learn without anyone to guide them through it.
STEAMinis aims to fix both of these issues by having materials be available for anyone and by making interactive workshops. STEAMinis is also special because everything is available in English and Spanish. By having everything in both languages, more kids will have access to STEAMinis.
Lastly, STEAMinis is a program for kids by kids, which means that the kids will be learning from other kids, albeit kids that are high school aged.
What’s special about “for kids, by kids?”
By having interactive workshops between kids, STEAMinis hopes that children don’t feel like the workshops are a mandatory class similar to school. In doing so, kids will develop their own love for STEAM without being forced to learn. The kids will think of the workshops as a space where they can be free to learn with their peers and create a relationship with their counselors.
After all, it’s easier to get along with someone closer in age!
Where does STEAMinis get their material?
STEAMinis has recieved support from other organizations who have generously shared their learning materials and adapted the material to work for the interactive workshops.
Who will be leading STEAMini workshops?
The workshops are led by high school students who know about STEAM and are also interested in sharing their love and interest in these subjects.
Additionally, some workshops will also have special guests, which include scientists, researchers, and other high caliber professionals, that will come share with the kids what they specialize in.
What is comprised in a STEAMinis workshop?
STEAMinis workshops are offered through Zoom or Google Meet. Once you have registered for a workshop, STEAMinis will send you a confirmation email with a link for joining the Zoom or Meet.
All workshops begin with introductions of the participants, followed by a demonstration or experiment and a discussion with the kids.
After the workshop, the kids will receive an email with the description of the experiment/activity so that they can replicate it at home if they so desire.
How many kids will participate in a workshop?
The maximum number of kids per group will be 12. This is to guarantee that the counselors of each workshop can interact and respond questions of all the kids.
What do I need to participate in a workshop?
All you need to participate in a workshop is an electronic device with internet access(preferably a computer, but any device works!) to sign into the zoom/meet and a positive attitude!
A Wi-Fi connection tends to be stronger and more stable than a data connection.