Elementary STEM Education
Hands-on Engineering for preK - 8th Grade
Kid Spark Education is a nonprofit provider of engineering-based STEM education programs
Our mission is to help every child prepare for work and life in the twenty-first century. We create STEM education solutions, share them with schools across the country, and support teachers as they mentor the next generation of professionals and leaders.
Like you, we know that when STEM education starts early, children gain fluency that’s just as important in the twenty-first century as learning to read. We give educators the tools to start STEM early and to continue building STEM fluency throughout elementary and middle school, especially for children who face urgent gaps in opportunity.
Kid Spark starts in Pre-K or Kinder
Fun and simple to teach, even robotics and computer science
How the Program Works:
Curriculum - STEM Labs - Professional Learning
Comprehensive
Curriculum
Mobile STEM
Labs
Professional
Learning
Elementary School Curriculum (Pre-K - 5)
Foundational Fluencies
Educators mentor students to develop foundational capacities prerequisite to all STEM learning, like spatial reasoning, problem-solving, and symbolization.
STEM Fundamentals
Students begin exploring applied mathematics, mechanical engineering, and robotics. They gain confidence in their ability to use technology to design solutions to problems.
Middle School Curriculum (6 - 8)
Applications in Design & Engineering
Students explore challenging STEM concepts from their everyday world, authoring with technology to solve problems and create new solutions.
Systems of Technology
Students use multiple technologies to create system solutions, including mechanical and structural engineering, computer-aided design and 3D printing, programmable robotics and computer science.
We chose engineering to introduce STEM to students and their schools:
Kid Spark's easy-to-use curriculum and engineering materials can be taught in any classroom, by any teacher. Even the youngest students love engaging in Kid Spark engineering, and the program teaches the practices and cross-cutting concepts used for all scientific learning. The program meets the needs of students, teachers, and schools. This especially true for schools adopting their first school-wide STEM program:
- Fun and engaging for students and teachers
- Standards-aligned, develops the core fluencies that lead to STEM Identity and Technology Fluency
- Project and inquiry-based science education
- Affordable, reusable, and easily managed materials
Kid Spark STEM Education Curriculum Resources include:
Teacher lesson plans • STEM Curriculum packets • Student workbooks • Instructional videos • Digital 3D parts library • Drag & drop coding software • Text-based coding software
STEM Identity: Seeing one's self as capable of learning and understanding science, technology, engineering, and math.
Technology Fluency: The confidence and skills to creatively author with technology to solve real-world problems and design new solutions.
Why we manufacture our own student design and engineering system. . .
A single system from Kinder to Engineer.
Kid Spark's materials were designed for the classroom. The entire curriculum can be taught using the same two labs year after year, across grade levels and topics. STEM Resources are organized and unintimidating; the large scale elements allow for collaborative learning. The robust and easy to use system supports student learning in all grades. This approach to STEM materials is both ideal for student learning and invention, and remarkably low cost and easy to maintain.
Kid Spark Design and Engineering Materials Teach:
Mechanical Engineering • Physics • Applied Mathematics • Computer Science • Robotics • Computer Aided Design and 3D Prototyping • Systems of Technology
Students construct robust, working mechanisms and inventions.
Students create with computer science and rapid prototyping.
Online, on-demand professional learning. . . become a STEM mentor on your schedule
We know that teachers can have some anxiety about teaching STEM programs.
But with Kid Spark’s online, on-demand professional learning, educators find that teaching STEM isn’t just easy—it’s fun!
Kinder and 1st grade teachers are especially surprised how the materials and curriculum meet the classroom management demands of young students. With Kid Spark, any teacher can master what it takes to teach project based engineering.
Learn how to help your students feel confident and capable with science and technology, to develop your students’ STEM Identity and Technology Fluency. . .
STEM Identity:
Seeing one’s self as capable of learning and understanding science, technology, engineering, and math.
Technology Fluency:
The confidence and skills to creatively author with technology to solve real-world problems and design new solutions.
By developing your students' love for science and technology today, you will help to ensure they are able to thrive tomorrow. Teaching project based STEM will help them communicate, collaborate, think critically, and become creative inventors. These are the vital skills you can teach to all students, skills that will serve them well no matter what path they take in life.
Kid Spark STEM programs teach the practices and cross-cutting concepts used for all scientific learning as prescribed in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Kid Spark engages all students, allowing them to interact and express what they know
—Jenny Chien, 2017 California Teacher of the Year
Kid Spark is a nonprofit STEM education organization. Our goal is to bring a culture of STEM learning to elementary and middle schools. We are especially focused on serving children just starting school, when forming a STEM identity matters most. We have designed programs that are fun and effective, yet surprisingly low cost and easy to manage at the same time. Our Mobile STEM Labs support years of heavy use in the classroom, and all curriculum and professional learning materials are provided free of charge.
Grants for free programs are made to hundreds of Title 1 schools each year. Click here to apply for a grant.
Our Programs Are Made Possible By Kid Spark Education's Partners:
