Schools across the country are adding more science, technology, engineering, and math lessons to their curriculum. This is because of the rapidly growing STEM workforce that is increasing awareness around the importance of improving students’ STEM literacy. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released that between 2020 and 2030, there will be more than 1,000,000 new STEM jobs that need to be filled. This growth is 3 percent faster than non-STEM occupations.
Charter schools are publicly funded and tuition-free education options for K-12 students. They do not follow the same rules and regulations as public or private schools. One unique aspect of charter schools is they have greater flexibility for educators when building curriculum plans for their students. STEM Sports® curricula is found in Charter schools across the country who are focused on STEM education and cross-curricular lesson plans.
In this article, you will learn about the benefits of STEM curricula, funding available to Charter schools, and STEM Sports® Charter school aligned curricula offerings.
Why Charter Schools Are Finding Success with STEM Curriculum
Charter schools are often seen as more autonomous than other schools. This flexibility allows them to emphasize certain curriculum areas for their entire school or certain grade bands. Many charter schools are adding in additional STEM curriculum to increase student understanding, interest and retention in these subjects.
This is often done outside of the stereotypical classroom environment. For example, a school can offer a coding course for students where they spend time devoted to working through code in a computer lab. Or, students go outside and do group activities that use sports to work through various science, technology, engineering, or math lessons. This variety creates more opportunities for students to find their passions in STEM, increasing the probability of students choosing to take STEM courses throughout their education.
Funding for STEM Curriculum
During and following the pandemic, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act was passed to help schools recover and continue running safely and effectively. This included Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (EANS) funding and Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding.
As a Charter school, it may be difficult to see where your school is eligible for funding and assistance. ESSER funding applies to some Charter schools who are categorized as local education agencies (LEA) or are under another LEA.
This is dependent on previous funding, status, and other factors. If you are interested in learning if your school and your LEA are eligible for ESSER funding, read more here.
STEM Curriculum for Charter Schools by STEM Sports®
STEM Sports® is an education company that provides supplemental STEM curriculum to K-8 students. Using sports as a facilitator, students interact and immerse themselves in a variety of science, technology, engineering, and math lessons. This hands-on approach to STEM learning allows educators to engage students with varying interests and provide real-world examples that answer questions around why what students are learning is important.
Founder and Executive Director of STEM.org, Andrew Raupp, reviewed the STEM Sports® curricula and said, “STEM Sports® uses sports for real-world application, strengthens 21st Century skills, and integrates the Engineering Design Process with its curriculum. This STEM.org Accredited™ Educational Experience accomplishment will serve as an inspiration to others who aspire to be the best and reaffirms your ability to captivate those who value STEM in their communities.”
Currently offering ten different sports, STEM Sports® is continuing to expand and improve curricula to promote student success. Each curriculum aligns with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), Common Core State Standards (CCSS), and National Standards for K-12 Physical Education. This is a great option for Charter schools who are looking to add a STEM curriculum for the coming school year to enhance their current lesson plan.
More STEM Curriculum Information
Looking for more information on STEM curriculum for schools? Check out our guides on the 9 hidden benefits of STEM curriculum, Why Teach STEM: The Importance of STEM Education, The Benefits of Cross-Curricular Education, and 4 Ways Parents Can Support STEM Learning.