Justifying a STEM Purchase

KEY POINTS

• Research and list your options.
• Get advice online and from other educators.
• Carefully consider which company you want to buy from.

The incorporation of STEM technologies into your classroom has the potential to revolutionize the way your students learn. Deciding what technologies are right for you and justifying their cost can be a hurdle for any STEM teacher. With a little time and thoughtful research, making these decisions can become a much more manageable task.

NARROW YOUR OPTIONS

There is certainly no shortage of STEM education tools available out there to provide your students with unmatched, novel, hands-on learning experiences. To help you narrow down your options and make your decision more manageable, conduct some online research on the technologies that catch your attention. Make a list of these technologies, including information like the cost and features of each technology. Try to focus on functionality over bells and whistles. In addition, be mindful of discounts and bundles that could help you stick to your budget. As you collect more and more information, try narrowing down your options to only the technologies that interest you the most. This process might take some time, but it’s sure to help you make the best decision for you and your students.

SEEK ADVICE FROM OTHERS

When it comes to deciding which STEM technologies are right for you and your students, seeking out advice online and from other teachers can be extremely helpful. Online product reviews are a great place to start. Even better, reach out to and seek advice from other educators who have previously purchased some of the products you are interested in. Ask them about their experience with these products so far and whether or not they would recommend them for your classroom. In this stage, it’s important to not only consider what kinds of technologies to purchase for your classroom, but also what brand(s) would be right for you. As you gather this information, let it guide you as to what products to keep on your list and which to eschew.

CONSIDER THE COMPANY

It is certainly important to carefully consider the kinds of technologies you want to purchase, along with the brands of those technologies that you pick. Just as important can be deciding which company you make your purchase from. Some companies will simply deliver your product with no further guidance regarding how to operate or effectively implement the product in your classroom. In contrast, other companies (like STEM Education Works!) can provide a helping hand after your purchase has been made, either in the form of technical training or customer support. While this additional support can result in an extra cost, it can often be the difference between feeling lost with your purchase and having the confidence to make your purchase a game-changer in your STEM classroom.