The whole point of education for children of varying ages is to prepare them for real-life situations where their knowledge may come in handy, and one area that highlights this theme very well is that of science and technology. Science and tech speak to many of the things around us in our daily lives, and these are also skilled areas where many careers are built - and they play a major role in any school curriculum.
At Summit Academy, our public charter school curriculum for students in South Jordan, Sandy, Riverton and nearby areas is based on the Utah State Core Curriculum, and includes important sections for not only science, but also mathematics and language arts. Here are some of the key reasons why science and tech programs are vital for education, plus some of the distinct parts of these subjects that should be covered.
Science and Tech Are All Around Us
As we alluded to above, science and technology are interwoven into the fabric of our daily lives. From the moment you wake up in the morning, to when you finally go to bed at night - it’s all about understanding how things work - and that’s why these two subjects need to be taught properly in school.
In today's world, students not only need to understand the basics behind how things work, but also how they interact with one another. Technology is constantly changing and evolving, so it's important for students to have a broad understanding of the main principles of science and tech - as well as an appreciation for their importance in our lives.
Career Prep
Another major reason why science and technology are important in education is that they can lead to meaningful careers. This is especially true when it comes to STEM-related (science, tech, engineering, math) jobs - as these positions will be in high demand for years to come.
For instance, if a student wants to pursue a career in the software engineering field, it's important for them to have an understanding of coding languages, algorithms and data structures. All of these concepts can be taught through science and tech classes - further preparing students for future success.
Helping Build Foundational Skills
In addition, by teaching concepts within science and technology areas, foundational skills can be developed in other areas such as problem-solving, critical thinking and communication. These are all useful life skills that aren’t just important for furthering a child's education, but also in helping them get ahead in their careers later on down the road.
As an example, in science and tech classes, students can work on collaborative projects where they are tasked with finding a solution to a certain problem. This is a great way for them to practice these skills in a safe, educational setting - giving them the confidence and experience that will help them succeed when they enter the “real-world”.
Helping Students Understand the Role of Data
While this is a concept that will also be covered within mathematics classes, science and tech classes can help students understand the importance of data in their lives. Data is everywhere these days - and it’s being used to power a number of key decisions.
By learning about data analysis and the role that data plays within our lives, students will be better prepared for making important choices for themselves - whether it’s selecting the right college or choosing a career path.
How Science and Tech Are Incorporated Into the Classroom
It may seem simple enough to just say "we should teach science and tech," but in reality, teachers have to be properly trained and equipped in order to do this effectively.
At Summit Academy, we take the time to make sure our staff understand the basics of science and tech so that they can better educate their students. This is done through incorporating hands-on projects in the classroom, as well as providing teacher mentorship from experienced professionals in the field.
We also focus on teaching science and tech concepts through a variety of different approaches such as inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, and problem-solving activities. This ensures that students are able to grasp the concepts more quickly - while having fun at the same time.
It’s clear that science and tech are important in education for multiple reasons. From preparing students for future careers to helping them develop life skills, these two subjects can play a vital role in any child's education - and the staff at Summit Academy is here to make sure this happens.
To learn more about this or any of our charter school programs in South Jordan, Sandy, Riverton or nearby areas, speak to our staff today!