National STEM/STEAM Day
National STEM/STEAM Day:
Observed every November 8th annually, the National STEM/STEAM Day is dedicated to encouraging kids to explore their interests in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and math through fun and engaging ways. This day helps students and educators to be aware of STEM/STEAM all around them and how it can impact their lives and the nation’s economy!
| Year | Date | Day | Where |
| 2020 | 8th November | Sunday | United States |
| 2021 | 8th November | Monday | United States |
| 2022 | 8th November | Tuesday | United States |
Twitter Hashtags:
#NationalSTEM/STEAMDay
#STEM/STEAMDay
Related: Other National Days Celebrated on November 8th:
National Parents As Teachers Day
National Harvey Wallbanger Day
Why National STEM/STEAM Day?
The National STEM/STEAM Day is solely focused to help kids and students to rekindle their passion for innovation in the fields of STEM/STEAM.
The concept has been promoted greatly since the 2000s where the studies showed that most of the U.S. students were not keen on having careers in the STEM discipline than other countries. The report also predicted that the country will not be able to compete in the global economy if the situation continues. After this realization, educators focus more on STEM/STEAM research, education, and education policy.
The study conducted in 2006 further revealed that the large number of students underperformed in STEM/STEAM disciplines and the country ranked lowest for scientific competency and knowledge.
Further research revealed the need for guided systems in schools. As many educators were not educated about the practical applications of STEM and lacked knowledge about careers in STEM. Thus many educators were not able to guide students in these fields.
All these findings encouraged the U.S. state governors to look for methods to achieve the goal of students graduating from high school with important STEM knowledge to succeed in their higher education and career. The National Governors Association gave grants to six states to work on helpful strategies.
The growth of STEM jobs in the U.S. also tripled the non STEM jobs during the first decade of the 21st century.
Yet employers struggle with demand for qualified STEM candidates. Even today racial and gender gaps are a challenge that needs to be considered!
How can we observe National STEM/STEAM Day?
- Simple science projects for kids
The best way to make kids and students embrace STEM/STEAM disciplines is to involve them in simple science projects that involve their everyday life and see how they catch up with fascination! With many easy projects available in stores and online it is easier than ever to develop their interests!
- Give them a glimpse of coding
With everything going digital, software professionals and coding skills are very much in demand. So give them a glimpse of coding with fun coding games and by telling them stories about how coding works as per their understanding.
- Let them explore Art and architecture
Civil engineering and Architecture have great career opportunities too. If your kid loves building stuff or designing the walls, introduce them to construction games and the knowledge that is needed for constructing beautiful buildings and architectural designs!
- Encourage problem-solving with STEM/STEAM skills
Encourage students to come up with solutions to solve some real-life problems they face and create a prototype for their solution. With these, you can slowly encourage them to enhance their knowledge!
- Read fun stories with technology and science involved
You can make STEM/STEAM fun and exciting, by reading science fiction stories and real-life invention stories to kindle their fire for innovation and career in STEM/STEAM disciplines! Click a picture with your kids and share on social media with hashtags #NationalSTEM/STEAMDay and #STEM/STEAMDay
Interesting facts about National STEM/STEAM Day:
Here are a few fun facts about STEM/STEAM education that surround the day!
- The number of STEM vacancies remains higher than the actual candidates
- The average pay for STEM jobs is 70% higher than the national pay average
- In U.S. 8 out of 10 employers were looking for employees with STEM education for important job roles
- The U.S. Bureau of Statistics predicts that 80% of the jobs in the upcoming years will require technical skills
- STEAM helps kids to think creatively, ask questions, be innovative, connect the dots and solve problems
- STEM jobs were predicted to increase in the U.S. by 16% between 2014 to 2023.
History of National STEM/STEAM Day:
Our research did not report any information on when exactly the National STEM/STEAM Day was initiated. The founder and the reasons for choosing November 8th for observing STEM/STEAM Day is unknown. No records of Presidential claims or congressional proceedings are found. It is only celebrated as an unofficial holiday!
