Chapter 1: The Power of Play in STEM Education

To foster creativity and problem-solving skills in students, consider organizing them into teams. Challenge each group to construct a rocket within a two-week timeframe, with the team achieving the highest altitude declared the winner.

My journey into innovative education began in 2009 during a conference in Debeli Rti?, Slovenia, where I first encountered Korado Korlevi?, a prominent amateur astronomer and advocate for STEM education. I had admired his work for years, but hearing him speak live was transformative.

While mentors are essential for guidance and safety, it’s crucial that students explore independently. They need to experience trial and error, navigate setbacks, and ultimately discover solutions on their own. Above all, they should be encouraged to play!

This realization struck me profoundly. From that moment, I sought every opportunity to learn from Korado—joining him for meals, sitting next to him on excursions, and engaging in countless coffee breaks, all while diligently taking notes on his insights into education.

In subsequent years, I delved deeper into these principles, applying them in my mentorship of various courses and workshops. Younger children adapted quickly to this style, while high school or college students often required about three days to shake off conventional teaching methods. I would remind them, “There are no instructions; you must figure it out.” After a few days, they would finally embrace the joy of learning.

Some might argue that this approach leaves gaps in the curriculum. So what? They will have ample opportunities to fill those gaps through future classes and workshops. Keeping students motivated is far more important than rigidly adhering to a curriculum.

Traditional education often takes a cynical approach, underestimating our capacity for independent learning. A method that delivers all knowledge immediately leaves no room for curiosity or aspirations.

But what if resources are limited for constructing rockets? I hadn't pondered this until I read Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. I realized that the book is packed with scientific experiments, making it an excellent educational tool.

Although I am no longer in the classroom, if I were to teach again, I would acquire several copies of this novel and distribute them to students, giving them a few days to read it. For a planned workshop, advance reading would be essential. After finishing, students would select their favorite sections of the story to recreate the experiments, evaluating the story's scientific accuracy. They would experience the fictional space journey firsthand, using traditional physics, chemistry, and biology textbooks as references while primarily focusing on the narrative.

In capable hands, science fiction can serve as a powerful motivational instrument. I first recognized this potential when I was invited to advise on a workshop at the Faculty of Architecture in Ljubljana.

Students read Isaac Asimov’s The End of Eternity and were tasked with designing the architecture, interiors, and landscapes for a hypothetical film adaptation over four months. They were told: “Imagine a movie will be made based on this book. You’re responsible for production design; the deadline is in four months—get started.”

They collaborated in small groups, each focusing on a specific time period from the story, while one group designed the “Eternity hub” that connected all timelines. To ensure a cohesive look across the film, coordination was essential, while still allowing each group to maintain unique designs true to the narrative.

I had never seen students so engaged. They worked late into the night fueled by coffee and camaraderie, taking immense pride in their accomplishments. More importantly, they felt they were contributing to something meaningful, cultivating a strong group bond.

The final designs were impressive.

Public presentation of the Eternity project, Faculty of Architecture, Ljubljana. June 24, 2011. Photo by author.

Ultimately, the essence of education lies in the joy of the process and the significance of the outcome. This is how we cultivate a love for science, art, and beyond, ensuring lifelong learning.

What more could an educator wish for?

Chapter 2: Engaging Activities for STEM Learning

Discover exciting STEM activities to inspire elementary students. This video shares creative ideas to make learning enjoyable and impactful.

Meet the innovative principal who is revitalizing education and making learning fun again. This video explores engaging approaches to inspire students.