STEAM programming is essential for our community. Experts have named the skills of critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication as the most important 21st century skills that kids need to master to feel confident and capable in our ever changing world. Our children deserve to flourish in a learning environment that promotes growth. STEAM is so much more than just fun science, technology, engineering, art and math activities. When STEAM is done right, it challenges kids to solve problems that have many answers. Children have to take their knowledge and apply it to new situations to solve complex questions.

STEAM is done best in a collaborative learning environment with others. By asking kids to not only look at their own work with a critical eye, but respectfully analyze and learn from others, they build both collaboration and communication skills. These skills are an important component to the 21st century learning skills. This is why we are so passionate about STEAM! At Dakota STEAM Learning, we create these opportunities for kids in our community to build on these skills amongst their peers. Collaboration and communication will help them as a learner, a teacher, and as a human being.

STEAM has such a profound impact on children. Through the STEAM experiences, children not only grow as learners but as people. Kids' self-esteem, self-image, and self-worth all flourish when they are shown all the possibilities of learning. They learn about growth mindset to solve hard problems and accomplish tasks that they never knew they were capable of. STEAM creates problem solvers by requiring constant reflection and adjustments to arrive at an action plan and solution. These skills impact every aspect of a child’s life. If they can learn to embrace these skills at a young age, they will be an unstoppable force in their future.