What Most STEM Programs Miss (And How We Can Fix It)

Let's face it, it can be overwhelming and stressful to find an effective STEM program.

Most people I talk to are concerned about not being part of the fanciest program - that they will be shortchanging their children in some way.

Here's the thing….that couldn't be farther from the truth.

Here is one thing I have noticed:

1. The amount of programs has grown exponentially, and

2. There is a lot of junk out there.

And honestly, it's understandable why STEM has exploded in popularity over the last decade. More and more people are taking the homeschool route and we find teachers are constantly searching for something more engaging.

Attention spans are at their lowest ever after all!

There is really only ONE thing any STEM lesson should do.

It is not about learning a certain topic or technology (at least not at this stage).

It is not to memorize tables or facts.

It is to inspire.

To create innovative thinkers who look at everything with curiosity and creativity.

That should be the focus.

Kids might not ever pursue a science or engineering career, but will always benefit from this type of solution finding regardless of what they end up doing.

The truth is these lessons can't possibly prepare kids for what ahead.

The world is changing too fast now.

We're trying to prepare kids for jobs that don’t even exist, because we have no way of even knowing what might be possible in 5 or 10 years.

But while many programs boast coding camps, robotics clubs, and 3D printing labs, something critical often gets left behind.

Let’s talk about what some STEM programs are missing—and why it matters more than ever.

1. The Story Behind the Science

STEM without storytelling is like a rocket without fuel—it might look cool, but it doesn’t go far.

Many programs dive straight into technical skills without helping kids care about the problem they’re solving. A lemon can produce electricity, cool, why does that matter?

But curiosity is sparked by context. When kids are invited into a story—a mystery to solve, a world to explore, a character to save—they become emotionally invested. Suddenly, designing a pulley system isn’t just an exercise—it’s the key to escaping a booby-trapped tomb.

👉 Fix: Use narrative-driven challenges to frame your lessons. Turn STEM activities into quests with characters, stakes, and surprises.

2. Creative Confidence Over Technical Perfection

Too often, STEM is taught like math drills: rigid, exact, intimidating. But real-world innovation is messy. Inventors fail. Engineers iterate. Scientists guess.

If programs focus only on right answers and polished projects, they send the message that perfection matters more than play. That’s a recipe for fear, not innovation. I found this to be true when going through my daughters physics homework. It was purely based on memorizing, which will never be effective unless put into practice.

👉 Fix: Celebrate wild ideas, partial successes, and “failures” as part of the process. Let kids experiment without always aiming for a grade or final product. Or let them invent a nonsense invention that might never work.

3. Integration, Not Isolation

STEM shouldn’t sit in a silo. The best programs weave science into art, math into history, and technology into everyday life. Why? Because that’s how it works in the real world.

When kids see that a story needs sound design (physics), or a game needs balanced mechanics (math + logic), the lines between subjects blur—and learning becomes more meaningful.

👉 Fix: Look for interdisciplinary opportunities. Pair STEM with storytelling, design, and even physical movement. The more crossovers, the better.

4. Real-World Relevance

STEM gets exciting when kids see how it shows up in their world: the way bridges hold weight, how smart homes function, or what goes into making a stoplight turn green. But many programs stick with abstract concepts that feel disconnected from real life. The key is to connect timeless engineering principles, sprinkled with new technology, interlaced with applications they can connect with.

👉 Fix: Ground lessons in everyday scenarios and local problems. Let kids design solutions for their neighborhoods, homes, problems out in the world, or pets. Real problems create real motivation.

Final Thought: Build Wonder, Not Just Widgets

STEM education isn’t just about building robots or solving equations—it’s about unlocking wonder, resilience, and imagination.

When we focus only on the tools and not the why, we miss the magic.

But when we build programs that tell stories, welcome mistakes, connect disciplines, ground learning in reality, and invite every child to the table—we create more than future engineers. We grow curious, capable, and compassionate problem-solvers.