Using Social Media in the STEM Classroom

KEY POINTS

• Share ideas and projects between STEM classrooms.
• Use social media as a student tool for research.
• Share classroom projects with your community.

Social media is increasingly becoming a prominent part of our daily lives. This is especially the case for young people who use it as a tool for communication and entertainment. But did you know that social media can also be used as a powerful tool in the classroom to further engage students with the STEM subjects?

LINKING CLASSROOMS

Social media is meant to connect people and facilitate online communication, and this makes it perfect for connecting you and your students with other STEM classrooms around the world. For students, social media is a great way for them to learn how other students their age are engaging in the STEM subjects and allows them to gain a wider perspective on the world of STEM and STEM education. For teachers, social media is a great way to build an online network with other STEM educators for the purpose of sharing project ideas/feedback, teaching techniques, and other tips for the classroom. No matter what social media platform (like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram) you pick for your classroom, it is sure to drive interest amongst your students and cultivate an environment of constructive communication and collaboration.

HUNTING FOR ANSWERS

Social media can also be a unique and potent tool for students as they conduct research for projects, search for answers to questions on the internet, and stay up-to-date with current STEM news and events. There are many STEM-oriented social media accounts out there, maintained by schools and other organizations, that provide excellent content and discuss current events in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. Be sure to utilize these kinds of resources as your students develop those vital researching skills.

ENGAGING WITH THE COMMUNITY

Social media can also play an important role in sharing classroom projects and learning experiences with members of your community. This is especially true for parents and families in your community who will be thrilled to see the exciting and innovative STEM activities their students are up to. Before starting a long-term project, have your students create a social media account on the platform of your choice. Then, as they reach project milestones, have your students periodically post updates to the account to show the community around them the progress they have made.

Once the project is finished, have students review all of their previous posts, allowing them to appreciate the fruits of their hard work and to contemplate the things they have learned along the way. In this sense, their social media account can serve as a kind of online, digital design journal that encourages critical thinking and reflection after the completion of a project.

— Dr. Jake Roark