Now that school’s almost out, it’s time for some STEM fun!

STEM? Fun? What!?

I’m not kidding. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) can go hand in hand with fun—it doesn’t have to be boring. And I can tell you that from my own experience.

When I was young, I had to complete math exercises over the summer in order to get ahead in school. At the time, math was the antithesis of fun. I hated it. I even remembered my cousin used to help me cheat so that we had more time for play.

But somehow, I got myself liking math—and even a little coding—in ways that I wouldn’t have imagined. For instance, through playing Neopets, a virtual pet community where users can personalize their shops and create a guild through coding, I learned some basic HTML. From building an ice cream sundae with multiplications, I looked forward to studying for math after school.

Nowadays, there are even more ways for kids to get into STEM. Below are just a few ideas to try over the break:

1. Create your own science experiment

Whether it’s creating fireworks in a jar or making tissue paper fly with static electricity, kids can learn first-hand the laws of physics and chemistry through getting their hands wet and experimenting with household products. For activities such as these, parental supervision is highly recommended, especially when dealing with hazardous materials. For inspiration, have a look at sites such as Little Bins for Little Hands and Kidspot.

2. Play board games

Board games are not only great activities to engage with family and friends, it also stimulates the brain. Many board games encourage players to think in terms of logic and probability in order to make a strategic move. What better way to exercise those brains cells, while socializing at the same time, than to play a game of Quirkle or Code Monkey Island?

3. Read books

I was visiting Indigo the other day and I stumbled across an entire section of books devoted to STEM for kids. I couldn’t help myself from taking a few photos of this delightful new selection. These books look fun to read (and yes, I’m one of those people who does judge a book by its cover). But I did flip through them. The visuals and storyline of some of these books, such as Women in Science, Girl Code, and Ada, Twist Science definitely caught my attention. And based on the reviews on Goodreads, I’ve heard good things about them too.

4. Play video games

It’s possible to learn math and play video games at the same time. In fact, with games such as Prodigy, kids would want to rush home to do their “homework.” Prodigy is a free E-learning game, where players interact in a fantasy world solving math problems. As well, the game is specifically designed to improve children’s performance in school and is aligned with the school curriculum for Grades 1-8. The game also includes a reporting feature, so parents and teachers can track their children’s progress.

5. Explore the neighbourhood

With nicer and warmer weather, there’s no excuse not to leave the house. There are so many places, such as museums, aquariums, the Biosphère, and the Ontario Science Centre, to explore—where you learn about biodiversity, dinosaurs, the environment and more.

6. Attend a STEM conference

While most conferences are for adults, there are also ones where youth can attend. For instance, youth are encouraged to attend the upcoming Canadian Women in STEM Conference, featuring female role models in STEM. These prominent speakers will share their success stories—and, perhaps, even inspire your child’s future.

The event will take place on Sunday, July 15, 2017, in Toronto. Click here to learn more about the event.