The goal of any education system should be to teach, prepare, and help students be better citizens and discover a future career that best suits them. To do this, we must have a curriculum that is diverse in what it teaches. At STEM It Up Sports, we believe one of the best ways to prepare students for the future is to introduce coding into their curriculum.Â
Teaching kids to code goes beyond just preparing them for future job opportunities; it fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity. Teaching coding should be looked at in the same light as teaching music or art. What a student is learning may be very specific, but the lessons learned go far beyond the classroom.Â
Enhances Problem-Solving Skills:
At STEM It Up Sports, our coding courses help develop the process of solving problems through logical thinking and provide step-by-step instructions. As kids engage with coding challenges, they learn to break down complex problems into smaller, more manageable parts. This analytical approach helps in coding and lays the foundation for effective problem-solving in various aspects of life. Coding requires a structured and logical approach. Kids learn to think sequentially and understand cause-and-effect relationships as they write code. It also has real-life applications, aiding in better decision-making and strategic planning.
Encourages Creativity:
Coding empowers kids to create and bring their ideas to life. Students engage more of their design thinking skills to develop their projects and objectives, using engineering principles. These principles can foster a sense of accomplishment and fuel their imagination. Many lessons and courses at STEM It Up Sports emphasize this with our partnership with Sphero. Our robotics course allows students to be creative in their learning in a structured environment.Â
Importance of Teamwork:
Engaging in team activities can offer numerous benefits for children. Working in a team fosters essential social skills, teaching kids how to communicate effectively, share ideas, and collaborate with others. Through collaboration, children learn the importance of teamwork and how to navigate diverse perspectives, helping them develop empathy and tolerance. Moreover, working in a team promotes a sense of responsibility and accountability, as each team member contributes to the overall success of the group. We see this firsthand in the classroom and with the teams in our events. Each student learns that they have a responsibility to themselves and their teammates so that a goal can be reached. This collaborative experience not only prepares kids for future professional environments but also cultivates a supportive and cooperative mindset that can positively impact their personal and academic endeavors.
Prepares for the Digital Future:
The world is becoming increasingly digital, and technology is omnipresent. Learning to code prepares kids with the skills to navigate and thrive in a technology-driven society. Understanding the basics of coding opens up future career opportunities and provides a deeper understanding of the digital world they are growing into. STEM It Up Sports give students this opportunity to learn. Not only in our robotics classes but Esports Center as well. Where they can gain valuable experience on one of our 20 computers. Our workshops also have elements of coding in them like our Video Game Design Workshop.
Fosters Perseverance and Resilience:
Coding is not always smooth sailing. Kids encounter errors and bugs in their code, and finding solutions requires perseverance. Through coding, children learn that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process, and success often comes after overcoming challenges. This resilience is a valuable life skill that extends beyond coding. Also, working in teams has its challenges too. Learning to deal with different kinds of personalities and work ethics can challenge students' patience and adaptability in a work or classroom environment.
Not everyone may find coding appealing, but much like other extracurricular activities, we must provide the opportunity for students. Effectively acquiring this skill demands a student's complete engagement and the disinterest in coding often stems from a lack of awareness regarding its advantages. As we progress into a digital era, it becomes crucial to promote awareness of this potent skill and equip our students for the challenges it presents. STEM It Up Sports provides valuable resources that make coding an enjoyable and impactful learning experience for students of all ages in our community.
About Us:
STEM It Up Sports is an innovative collaboration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics performed as a sport to excite the first-time or experienced individual passionate about the world of computer science.Â
In partnership with Sphero, we have robotics courses at our STEAM Center and host competitions around the state for K-12 students. We provide a welcoming and engaging community that allows students to be who they are while learning and competing. We also provide Light Tech Sports Therapy for golden agers(ages 50 & up). This unique experience allows our older generation to exercise their brains in a brand new way. Studies reveal that introducing light technology to older adults may slow the progression of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Dementia.Â
Our Esports Center is another big part of what we do. Located at the Arlington-Mansfield YMCA, our amazing center is a place where youth can be part of a welcoming community. Broken down into three different age groups, this is an opportunity for kids to make friends, play video games, and participate in tournaments and other events.Â
We are now a Grow with Google partner which allows us to offer scholarships for Google Career Certificates for courses in IT support, cybersecurity, data analysis, advanced data analysis, digital marketing, and e-commerce. These scholarships are limited.
Visit stemitupsports.com for more information on all our programs. We hope your children can experience STEM as a new sport with us!
Sources:
Scherer, R., Siddiq, F., & Sánchez-Scherer, B. (2021). Some Evidence on the Cognitive Benefits of Learning to Code. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 559424. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.559424