Get Back-to-School Ready with the Power of STEM

With a new school year just around the corner, now is the perfect time to re-engage your child’s curiosity for learning and STEM activities are a great way to do it.

At National Heritage Academies (NHA^®), we believe in giving students the tools they need to succeed in school and in life. That’s why STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is such an important part of how we teach.

STEM learning encourages kids to solve problems creatively and get hands-on with how things work, which helps build the foundation for critical thinking, teamwork and future careers.

Grand River Preparatory High School recently hosted K-12 STEM Night that brought science and creativity to life for families and students. Principal Mike Irwin describes it best: “It’s an event that highlights all things great about National Heritage Academies with a lot of different activities for kids at every grade level.”

For students at Grand River Prep, the learning doesn’t stop after one event. Their award-winning robotics team takes on real-world engineering challenges each year through FIRST Robotics. Students design, build and program a robot from scratch.

Junior Elijah Lipscomb says the experience is helping him prepare for his future. “I’ve learned a new coding language, Java, which a lot of video games are written in. Doing programming in general helps me get ready for a career in software engineering.”

STEM learning also helps students build character. At National Heritage Academies our Moral Focus virtues like perseverance, integrity, and teamwork are woven into every step of the process. English teacher Philip Jackson, who coaches the team, says, “They have to think on the fly, work under pressure, and problem-solve together. It’s more than just robotics it’s preparing them for life.”

Team captain Andrea Ramirez agrees. “Now I have more confidence. Being part of the robotics team has helped me build communication skills that I’ll use for the rest of my life.”

You can get your child engaged in STEM learning right at home!

Here are a few fun activities to try:

• Create a bug jar: Go on a nature walk and observe insects together.
• Lego building challenge: Set a goal (like a bridge or tower) and build creatively.
• DIY rain gauge: Use a plastic bottle to track rainfall and learn about weather.
• Try salt crystal science: Use table salt, Epsom salt, and baking soda to grow crystals.

At NHA, we know that when students connect what they’re learning to real life, it helps them grow into creative thinkers and future leaders.

So, as you gear up for the school year, make a little room for hands-on discovery. You might just inspire your child’s next big idea.