When Math Meets Science: Integrating STEM in the Classroom

As teachers, we are often led by schedules. Everything has a specific time slot: math core time, science time, reading and writing time, and if you’re lucky, you have time set aside for intervention.

When I first began teaching, time management was hard, and if I’m being honest, I still struggle some days to fit it all in. Over time, however, I learned that learning doesn’t have to be divided. In the real world, we gain knowledge of the world around us through observation, questioning, and collaboration. 

The same can be done inside the classroom. Why not incorporate subjects together? The real learning happens when subjects overlap—when math supports science and science gives math a purpose. Integrating STEM in the classroom helps make patterns, problem solving, and justification engaging and purposeful.

Bringing STEM to Life: Our School’s STEAM Night and Stations

When I was a student teacher eight years ago, I volunteered at our school’s STEM Night. While I don’t remember much from all those years ago, I do remember that the event allowed families to experience learning together in a hands-on, exciting way.

I didn’t realize it then, but that night planted a seed in my heart as an educator. Years later, I brought the idea back to life and had the opportunity to plan and organize our school’s STEAM Night. I knew the stations needed to be fun for all ages—simple enough for prekindergarten students to enjoy the activities, but also engaging and challenging enough for older students to stay excited and involved. Adding the art component transformed STEM into STEAM by giving students opportunities to express creativity while applying math and science skills. Below are a few examples of the stations we created for families to enjoy.

• Ocean in a Bottle: Students explored density by observing how oil and water separate while practicing measurement skills to create their own ocean.
  
• Colors of the Wind Watercolor: Students learned how colors mix to create new shades and patterns.
• Sink or Float Investigation: Students predicted and tested objects to see if they sank or floated while learning how weight and different materials affect what happens in water.
• Spaghetti Towers: Students took on the role of engineers and learned about balance, strength, and measuring height.
  
• Geometry Art: Students created pictures using shapes and patterns, learning which shapes fit together as they designed their own images.
  
• Pixel Art: Students used the squares of grid paper to draw a picture, which helped them practice counting, patterns, and even multiplication.
• Duck Equation Building: Students practiced number recognition, addition, and subtraction when they caught a numbered rubber duck with a fishing net.

The night was a chance for students to shine as problem solvers and creators while building confidence as learners. It was such a rewarding moment in my teaching career to see it all come together.

Practical Ways Teachers Can Integrate STEM in the Classroom

You don’t need specialized materials or elaborate plans to integrate STEM into your classroom. Start small. Add measuring, equations, or anything with numbers to your science experiments. Help students build toward deeper conversations about why something works the way it does. Turn a math lesson into a design challenge if you’d like. Whether it’s designing, testing, revising, or reflecting, give students ownership and let them be in control. More importantly, don’t be afraid to get a little messy along the way.

Planning for the Future

Starting with these types of activities in grade school prepares students for jobs that don’t even exist yet. While we can’t predict what career they will pursue, we can help students build the skills they will always need: critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, adaptability, and problem solving.

Want to learn more about integrating STEM into your classroom? Check out our core mathematics program i-Ready Classroom Mathematics.
 
More Resources for You:
Improving Mathematical Understanding: Giving Every Student a Voice
Make Mathematics about Meaning—Not Mnemonics—to Boost Math Scores
A Deeper Approach to Math Practice Adds Up to Big Results