Kid Spark Education Blog

5 Ways Early Literacy Boosts STEM Thinking in Young Learners

Kid Spark Education — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 18:44:30 GMT

In early childhood education, reading and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are often taught as separate subjects. But what if bringing them together could unlock unique and impactful learning experiences?

From Story to Solution: Why Reading Is the Perfect Gateway to STEM Learning

Kid Spark Education — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 21:43:10 GMT

Rethinking How STEM Begins

STEM learning doesn’t have to start in a lab. In fact, for most young learners, the best way to step into STEM isn’t through circuits or robotics, it’s through a story.

Building Confidence from the Start: Inside Kid Spark’s New Early Childhood STEM and Literacy Program

Kid Spark Education — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 20:38:28 GMT

Why Early STEM Education Matters

Finding the Funds: STEM Programs for Elementary and Middle Schools

amala@kidsparkeducation.org (Amal Abuqawod) — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 21:31:07 GMT

In today’s technologically driven world, STEM education is more critical than ever. Research shows that by third grade, most students have already decided whether they see themselves as capable of engaging with STEM topics. Despite this, many schools and informal education providers—especially at the elementary and middle school levels—struggle to find the funding to start and sustain high-quality STEM programs.

The Importance of Summer STEM Programs for Elementary Students

Kid Spark Education — Wed, 14 May 2025 16:55:17 GMT

Summer is a time for adventure and exploration—and the perfect opportunity to ignite a lifelong love for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Through hands-on, engaging activities, summer STEM programs help elementary students build curiosity, creativity, and skills that will benefit them far beyond the classroom.

Let’s explore why these programs are so vital for young minds.

Why STEAM Education Matters: Connecting STEM with Creativity

Kid Spark Education — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 15:12:57 GMT

Too often, young students are taught that the scientific and the creative live in opposing worlds… that to be interested in the mathematical, one must forego a desire to explore the artistic. Educators, parents, and students are operating in a whole new world now. Not only can the left and right brain co-exist and work harmoniously as students learn, they should.

At Kid Spark Education, we believe that science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are not separate subjects — they’re deeply connected and depend on each other. We believe this approach is even stronger when art is added to STEM. By adding the arts to STEM, and creating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math), we empower students to explore these relationships through creativity. STEAM doesn’t treat art as an extra step; it utilizes art as an equally important pillar to strengthen how STEM disciplines work together, making learning more engaging and meaningful.

A Cut Above and Beyond: How Crosscutting Concepts Foster Critical Thinking in Elementary and Middle School Classrooms

Kid Spark Education — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 04:12:46 GMT

Crosscutting Concepts Cultivate Understanding: What Are They?

If you exist in STEM communities, you’ve likely heard of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)— a K-12 educational framework designed to give students a deeper understanding of science and engineering topics. At Kid Spark Education (KSE), we’re well-versed in the power of NGSS to transform student understanding and achievement across grade levels. The resources we create tangibly demonstrate how concepts and practices are connected across different fields, giving students a broader, more holistic understanding of the sciences — especially engineering.

The foundation of Kid Spark STEM Programs lies in the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to explore and excel in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
How? Research indicates children learn math and scientific inquiry best through hands-on engagement as tool-makers, designers, and builders: essentially, as engineers. And mastering just a few of the NGSS crosscutting concepts can prepare students for a lifetime of STEM learning.

Experiential Learning in STEM Education

kitty@vaulted.co (Kitty Taylor) — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 14:20:09 GMT

Experiential Learning in STEM Education

Hands-on learning is an essential component of a successful STEM education, so, when it comes to implementing that “hands-on” approach, educators can incorporate experiential learning into their strategy.

Teaching Coding in the Classroom

kitty@vaulted.co (Kitty Taylor) — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 21:12:20 GMT

Coding is essential to modern society. It’s everywhere—from the phones that wake us with an alarm every morning and the computers we use at school and work to the very systems that make our organizations and cities run.

3 Engineering Projects for Middle School STEM

kitty@vaulted.co (Kitty Taylor) — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 22:14:46 GMT

Engineering is more than just one of the primary subjects of STEM—it’s the building blocks of the world around us. For middle school students, learning about engineering can help connect the dots between the STEM concepts they learn in the classroom and its real-life applications.