STEAM STORIES

The Importance of Believing

Think about a time when you really enjoyed science and math. Where were you? What were you doing? Who else was there? What was said? How did you feel?

Now, think about a time when maybe you thought that science and math just weren’t for you. Where were you? What were you doing? Who else was there? What was said? How did you feel?

How old were you in your first example? Your second? What if I told you that most people decide whether they are good at science and math before they have learned to multiply and divide?

That’s right, “studies show that students decide as early as second grade whether they have an interest in— and believe they can excel at— math and science. In other words, students as young as seven and eight begin telling themselves that they are “good” or “bad” at solving problems.” (reference)

Let’s go back to your first example when you enjoyed science and math. For most people who identify as being good at science and math, their stories have this in common:

• A supportive mentor – someone to tell you that you COULD do it, even if all the other voices were saying you couldn’t
• A safe environment – You weren’t afraid to fail because you had seen others do it and get back up.
• A peer group with similar interests – You weren’t the ONLY one. You belonged somewhere.
• In most cases, people remember a hands-on activity, experiment or project where they got messy, worked together, and had something to show for it at the end.

This is where the STEAM Engine picks up. Our mission is to be that supportive mentor, be that safe environment, be that community that supports kids as they decide who they are, what they can do, and what they want to become.  Because nothing is more important that telling a child “Yes, you can do that. I believe in you.” And “How can I help?”

       we do not believe in ourselves until someone reveals that something deep inside us is valuable, worth listening to, worthy of our trust, sacred to our touch. once we believe in ourselves we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight or any experience that reveals the human spirit” — e.e. cummings