Raleigh, NC USA 7/24/2024

“[My child] has really enjoyed STEM class. Thanks so much for offering the kids such a great learning experience,” says a parent whose child has joined multiple STEM enrichment programs at Follow the Child Montessori School.

 

Follow the Child Montessori School (FCM) and STEM For Kids are thrilled to recognize their 10-year collaboration since 2014, wherein the synergy between STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) enrichment and the Montessori method has been fostering an exceptional educational experience for young learners. 

 

Follow the Child Montessori School is a premier Montessori school established in 2001 in Raleigh, NC. The six founding families and six teachers established the school in an effort to provide a nurturing environment where children can thrive and reach their full potential as “confident, independent, creative, and self-motivated individuals” through the Montessori method. 

 

FCM’s commitment to providing an excellent education to its students while nurturing kind, conscientious, open, critical thinkers earned FCM the title of the Best Early Childhood Learning Facility in Wake County, the 2nd most populous county in North Carolina,  by the Independent Weekly in 2017. FCM was also recognised as finalists for the title in 2016, 2018, and 2020. 

 

The school prides itself in adhering to the Montessori Method, upholding a community that works together to support the growth of their students from toddlers through sixth grade, conducting an outdoor education program for students, and supporting their staff (AMS- and/or AMI-certified) through professional development opportunities. Students talk openly about loving the hands-on environment and their teachers at Follow the Child in their “We Are FCM” video.

 

Since the onset of the STEM-Montessori partnership, the topmost priority  for Follow the Child’s then Curriculum Coordinator and After-School Director was to provide STEM education enrichment while staying true to the Montessori philosophy of encouraging hands-on exploration, discovery, and growth. 

 

The traditional methods of teaching science and mathematics in schools back then stood in stark contrast to Montessori principles:

• While Montessori emphasizes hands-on learning and exploration, traditional teaching methods relied heavily  on memorization, worksheets, and tests.
• Traditional methods gave a perception of science and math  subjects as rigid and lacking in opportunities for creative expression, a core tenet of Montessori education.
• Moreover, STEM education was perceived to be too heavily reliant on computers / screens.

 

Since its founding in 2011, STEM For Kids, has emphasized the importance of experiential  learning focusing its STEM enrichment programs on projects and activities that tap into children’s natural curiosity… doing so while integrating engineering and technology in a well-balanced approach to inspire creativity, critical thinking and  collaboration. While computers / technology have been part of STEM For Kids’ breadth of curriculum portfolio that include engineering (aerospace, civil, mechanical, environmental, bio-medicine), business / finance, and computer programming and technology (coding, AI, data analytics, robotics, IoTs), SFK methodology was designed and implemented to encourage children to create and not merely be users of a technology. STEM For Kids’ mission of making STEM fun and real, resonated with Montessori method’s emphasis on hands-on, inquiry-based learning.

 

“Our goal when searching for and providing enrichment for our school is to find programs that allow students to explore their interests in fun, hands-on ways,” says April Keen, Follow the Child’s After School Director. “Parents share this goal and also appreciate the convenience of having programs on-site at Follow the Child Montessori.”

 

The STEM programs launched in spring 2014 as afterschool programs followed by summer camps. The STEM-Montessori collaboration continued after the school’s transition to a new, multi-classroom building in 2016.  

 

Two concurrent after-school programs are provided throughout the school year: STEM For TotsTM for ages 3-6 and Elementary STEM for ages 7-12.  FCM students in STEM For TotsTM learn how to think and build like engineers and build confidence in their critical thinking, team building, and communication skills while having fun with learning. FCM students in Elementary STEM focus on the real-world application of STEM topics while practicing and strengthening their skills of resilience, collaboration, and self-confidence.

 

STEM For Kids has offered over 3000 children-hours of afterschool STEM instruction at Follow the Child Montessori School. Over the decade, students at FCM have benefited from a variety of STEM programs, including engineering (aerospace, civil, mechanical, environmental, bio-medicine), computer programming, robotics, business, finance, and social emotional learning. These programs not only enhance their understanding of STEM concepts but also develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills.

 

“STEM For Kids is an amazing program for our students! The lessons are engaging, interactive, and developmentally appropriate. The students are learning complex concepts while having a blast!,” added Ms. Keen.

 

Moni Singh, founder and CEO of STEM For Kids, expressed her excitement about this milestone: “Our journey with Follow the Child Montessori has been incredibly rewarding. Our STEM programs emphasize curiosity and self-directed learning, which complements the Montessori approach perfectly. Together, we’ve been able to cultivate a love for STEM subjects in children from an early age, setting them on a path of lifelong learning and innovation.”

 

The success of this STEM-Montessori partnership is evident in the enthusiasm and achievements of the students. Parents have observed excitement for STEM and significant growth in their children’s confidence and capabilities in tackling complex STEM subjects. 

• “Our son had the best time in STEM class with you. It is the first time we have signed him up for a class that he has wanted to go to each time,” said one parent whose child registered for an engineering-themed after school program.
• “Thank you so much!” A parent whose child was part of the STEM For TotsTM enrichment program added, “[My daughter] came home and was very excited to show us [her project].”
• “Thank you for making the class so much fun! [My child] had a great time and had fun learning! We hope to see you next year!” remarked another parent whose child learned how to build, code, and improve a robot in an elementary after school enrichment.

Ms. Keen further commented on the positive impact of the collaboration: “We have enjoyed partnering with STEM For Kids for the last 10 years and look forward to continuing our relationship. Students and parents are both thrilled with the program. [The STEM Coach] is an amazing instructor who knows how to interact with children in a meaningful way.”

 

“As we celebrate  this important milestone, we look forward to our continued collaboration with FCM and to working with other educational institutions desiring sustained STEM programs for their students. The goal remains clear: to inspire and equip the next generation of innovators through engaging and effective STEM education. Mission driven towards impacting STEM education for all, our work continues…” added Ms. Singh. 

 

Montessori schools, private schools, academies, school districts and communities interested in bringing similar innovative career-connected STEM programs to their students, can learn more and apply for STEM For Kids’ educational services.

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STEM For Kids® enables purpose-driven educators and entrepreneurs to bring life- and career-readiness skills to preK-8 children in their communities. 

With over 1500 hours of STEM activities in various themes covering engineering (aerospace, civil, mechanical, environmental, bio-medicine), technology (coding, robots, Artificial Intelligence, Internet Of Things), business and social emotional learning, educators, parents and students have a lot to get excited about. 

STEM For Kids® ranked #173 on the highly coveted Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 list. With a growing network of STEM For Kids® operators, educators, trained teachers, and franchisees, we have impacted numerous communities across the globe. Add your community now, https://teach4d.stemforkids.net/edu-services 

For media inquiries contact sales@stemforkids.net .