Recommended for Elementary School Students! What is STEAM Education? A Summary of Materials and Experience Spots for Home Use [Beginner Friendly]

You may have heard the term "STEAM education," but many people wonder what it actually involves or where to start.

In this article, we will explain everything in a way that is easy for beginners to understand, from the basics of STEAM education to recommended materials for elementary school students, learning methods you can do at home, and spots where you can have hands-on experiences.

This content is also perfect for those who want to start something at home or want to use it for independent research projects.

What is STEAM Education? How Does It Help Children Grow?

STEAM education is an educational approach that comprehensively covers five fields: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. It has been gaining attention in recent years as a way to foster skills necessary for the future, such as inquisitiveness, creativity, and logical thinking.

In elementary schools, STEAM elements are naturally incorporated through subjects like science, art, and programming, but it is also easy to start at home with a little ingenuity.

Below, we will introduce the characteristics of each field and how to get started at home in an easy-to-understand way.

An Easy-to-Understand Explanation of the 5 Fields of STEAM Education

■Science
Develop the ability to scientifically observe and experiment with phenomena in your daily life. For example, by seeking answers to questions like "Why is the sky blue?" through experiments and observations,
curiosity and a spirit of inquiry toward nature are nurtured.■

Technology
Through programming and digital tools, enhance your understanding of technology and operational skills. Through experiences like moving a robot with a simple program,
logical thinking and trial-and-error skills are fostered.■

Engineering Emphasize the experience of
solving everyday problems through your own ingenuity. For example, through activities like building a bridge using LEGO, creativity, understanding of structures, and spatial awareness
are enhanced.■Arts

Through various expressions such as painting, music, and theater,
creativity and self-expression are cultivated. For example, by freely creating works using clay or paints, you can experience the joy of giving shape to your imagination
.■Mathematics

Deepen your understanding of numbers, shapes, and laws, which are the foundation of logical thinking and problem-solving skills
. By learning math concepts in a fun way through puzzles and games, it can also lead to overcoming a dislike for the subject.

3 Steps to Start STEAM Education at Home

When starting STEAM education at home, it is smooth to keep the following 3 points in mind.

1. Choose materials that match their interests
First, start with a field that matches your child's "likes" or "strengths." If they like crafts, choose Arts-related materials; if they like games, choose Technology-related ones, and select materials that can be engaged with without pressure.

2. Create a pace that can be sustained even for short periods
Even 30 minutes a day is fine. Continuing at a comfortable pace leads to learning retention. One action a day, or even just on weekends, is sufficiently effective.

3. Learn happily through play
STEAM education is based on the premise of "learning while playing." By incorporating elements that children can get absorbed in, such as game-like activities, crafts, and experiments, learning habits will naturally develop.

Benefits of Incorporating STEAM Education at Home

By incorporating a STEAM perspective into home learning, the following skills are fostered.

• Creativity and expressive power

• Problem-solving skills

• Logical thinking skills

• Independence in learning

These skills will be a great strength regardless of what career path is chosen in the future. Especially for children living in the coming era where IT and AI continue to evolve, STEAM education will become a solid foundation for the future.

STEAM materials for home use | Recommendations by field

What is important when practicing STEAM education through home learning is to create an environment where children feel, "This is fun!".

Beyond the content and difficulty level of the materials, perspectives such as whether it can be done together with a parent or guardian and whether the child can proceed independently are also important.

Here, we introduce representative materials that can be used at home for each of the five fields that make up STEAM: {Science / Technology / Engineering / Arts / Mathematics}.

*Service details, prices, etc., listed are subject to change. Please check the official website for the latest information.

Science | STEAM materials for home use to foster inquiry through experiments and observation

✦ Authentic materials with experiment kits "Science | STEAM materials for home use to foster inquiry through experiments and observation

✦ Authentic materials with experiment kits "Gakken no Kagaku" [Book + Kit / One-time purchase]

The revived "Gakken no Kagaku" is a book series that comes with theme-based experiment kits. It is designed to help children learn scientific principles while working with their hands at home, and it is highly compatible with science classes.

With diverse themes in each issue, such as astronomical telescopes, air cannons, and crystal making, it is also packed with story-based reading materials and illustrations. It can also be used for parent-child independent research projects, and its availability at bookstores and on Amazon is another appealing point.

✦ Cultivate scientific thinking while playing with the "KUMON TOY (Kumon Publishing) STEAM Series" [Kit sales / Purchase one theme at a time]

Kumon's home science kits themed around familiar phenomena such as "air," "water," and "light." Designed for parents and children to work on together, you can easily purchase them one theme at a time.

The instruction manuals are easy to understand with many illustrations, making them easy to use as an introduction to science. With content that can be completed in 10-30 minutes, they are also suitable for a little weekend learning or as a way to spark an interest in science.

Technology & Engineering | Home-based STEAM materials to foster understanding of mechanisms and creativity

✦ Learn practically through games with "Digitane" [Monthly subscription / Online]

Online learning materials that allow children to learn the basics of programming and IT while having fun by utilizing popular games such as Minecraft and Roblox. Through building and creating mechanisms, they can naturally develop logical thinking and creativity.

In addition to Scratch and JavaScript courses, it also offers typing practice, project sharing, and contests. It is also appealing that it supports students from 1st grade of elementary school to junior high school and can be learned entirely at home.

✦ Develop Inquiry and Creativity with "Miraigoto Lab" [Video x Assignments / Online]

An online STEAM learning resource that uses Scratch and Minecraft to foster the ability to think and give shape to ideas. It uses a format where students work on assignments while watching videos, emphasizing the process of inquiry → presentation → reflection.

You can experience classroom-style learning at home, and hybrid learning with partner classrooms is also possible. Parents can also check progress, and the curriculum is designed to foster a wide range of skills from logical thinking to presentation skills.

✦ Assemble and control it yourself: "KOOV (Sony)" [Kit + App]

Assemble robots with colorful blocks, and use a dedicated app to program them. Through intuitive operation, you can experience "assembly to control", fostering engineering thinking and creativity.

Designed for middle elementary school students and up, a wide range of kits are available, from beginner to advanced levels. It offers high flexibility and is especially recommended for children who love making things.

✦ Experience the basics of engineering through robot construction: "ArtecRobo" [Kit + App]

Assemble robots with colorful blocks, and use a dedicated app to program them. Through intuitive operation, you can experience "assembly to control", fostering engineering thinking and creativity.

Designed for middle elementary school grades and up, a wide range of kits are available, from beginner to advanced levels. With a high degree of freedom, it is especially recommended for children who love making things.

Arts | STEAM learning materials for the home that foster free thinking and expressive power

✦Comprehensive learning material that stimulates creativity: "WonderBox" [Monthly subscription / App + Physical items]

A comprehensive learning material that combines shape games, puzzles, art, and more. Through the experience of kits and apps delivered every month, it fosters the ability to face "questions with no single correct answer" and nurtures inspiration.

Packed with features to draw out shape sense, spatial awareness, and free thinking, it is fun even for lower elementary school students. The fact that it can be shared among siblings is also a highlight.

✦ App for creating your own games and picture books: "Springin'" [Free / App]

By just drawing pictures, you can create games and picture books with this intuitive creative app. Even without programming knowledge, you can add attributes like movement and sound to your drawings to complete them as works.

The operation is simple and designed to be enjoyed with an artistic sensibility. Completed works can be shared on the app, and you can also interact with other works. It is a learning material that fosters creativity and expressive power while also developing the ability to try and correct.

✦ Fusion of Color and Science: "Crayola STEAM Kit" [Sold Individually / Offline]

These are workshop materials that combine elements of art and science, allowing children to experience reactions of colors, light, and liquids through crafts and drawing.

You can purchase them one theme at a time, and they include content that children will be absorbed in, such as "color-changing slime" and "light-powered art".

It is easy for children who feel uncomfortable with science to engage with, and understanding is deepened by working through it with a parent or guardian. It is also great for creating creative time for parents and children.

Mathematics | Home-based STEAM learning materials to foster logical thinking and mathematical sense

✦ AI-powered math learning tool "RISU Math" [Dedicated tablet + AI learning]

Using a dedicated tablet, AI presents optimal problems based on math learning history. It is designed to allow for individual progress according to areas of struggle or strength.

In addition to tackling content ahead of the textbook, there is a robust support system that provides explanatory videos by university student tutors. With short 10-15 minute daily study sessions, children can gain a sense of accomplishment while deepening their learning step by step.

✦ App to develop thinking skills in 10 minutes a day "Think!Think!" [Free to monthly subscription]

Used in over 150 countries worldwide. An educational app that allows you to train logical thinking, spatial awareness, and geometric sense through game-like play.

The time limit for each question draws out concentration and fosters "thinking power" while having fun. The visually rich problems created by a professional team are packed with features to capture children's interest. The 10-minute daily play limit also makes it easy to continue without strain.

Science and Technology Experience Facilities | STEAM Spots You Can Experience Outdoors

To gain a deeper understanding of STEAM education, hands-on experiences where you can "see, touch, and feel" are essential. Here, we introduce experience-based facilities themed around science and technology.

The dynamic exhibits and workshops using the latest technology that you cannot get through home study will greatly stimulate children's curiosity. They are also recommended for weekend outings or as a starting point for independent research projects.

[1] Science Museum: A Science Theme Park Where You Can Learn While Experiencing [Tokyo, Kitanomaru Park]

Located in Kitanomaru Park, Tokyo, this is a facility with permanent exhibits where you can learn science through experience. The museum has a 6-floor structure, allowing you to encounter diverse themes such as "energy," "robots," "architecture," and "communications."

The exhibits are characterized by mechanisms that allow you to understand by touching and moving them while playing, rather than just "looking." A wide range of age groups, from preschoolers to elementary school students, can enjoy them.

In addition, craft events and special exhibitions are held regularly, making it recommended for finding ideas for independent research. It is located in the city center and has excellent access.

[2] A Future Learning Space Where Art Meets Science: "AkeruE" [Tokyo, Ariake]

This is an experiential museum operated by Panasonic with the theme of the fusion of art and science. It is packed with exhibits that stimulate a child's desire to "create and try things out".

Creation using 3D printers and laser cutters, installations where you can learn the mechanisms of light and sound, and other experiences centered on "seeing, touching, and creating" are the highlights. It is a space where you can learn while having fun using your senses.

The interior is open and has an atmosphere where parents and children can immerse themselves in creation. In the free creation corner, there is age-appropriate support, so it is safe and secure. Target Age: Elementary school students to adults (some areas have usage restrictions for preschoolers)

[3] A Learning Hub to Feel Closer to Space: "JAXA Space Education Center" [Nationwide / Online Materials Available]

JAXA operates a nationwide hub for promoting space-themed STEAM education. It offers a wide range of educational materials and learning programs that incorporate elements of science, technology, inquiry, and expression.

They provide PDF materials and videos for home use, as well as events and workshops across the country. At the Tsukuba Space Center, you can also enjoy facility tours and collaborative exhibits with Space Brothers.

The "JAXA Space Education Program", which collaborates with schools, is also expanding, making it a recommended entry point for fostering a genuine interest in science and engineering.

Summary

STEAM education is a wonderful learning method for expanding your child's future possibilities. Please take advantage of the materials and spots introduced in this article to start STEAM education with your child.

By choosing materials tailored to your child's interests and learning while having fun, learning will become a part of daily life, and creativity and a spirit of inquiry will naturally develop. Please make use of this information for your home learning.