What is STEM and why is it important for both boys and girls?

STEM education is the learning of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, using an interdisciplinary approach. STEM education provides a unique way of thinking, including how engineering and design processes and principles are used. STEM education also provides children with the knowledge and understanding required to develop creative and critical thinking skills. These are all important life skills; not only for jobs as we know them today, but also for jobs that may not even exist right now.

STEM careers will dominate our future workplaces. While traditionally STEM careers are dominated by the male gender, it is important that girls are inspired to STEM learning from an early age, so that they have equal access to the job market in the future .

Magformers are designed to inspire both boys and girls to be creative. Sets are colourful and have different themes to suit different interests, from basic sets of shapes, to sets with wheels to build vehicles, sets to build play houses and sets to build dinosaurs to sets that have moving parts. There are also different colour schemes to attract different children. The key at this early stage is to get them started with creating with their hands, and problem solving as they play. It does not matter whether they prefer to play with the play house sets or the car sets, or whether they prefer to play with the pink coloured pieces or the primary colour pieces, the important thing is that they are playing.

For more information about STEM, check out this Government page which also links to further information: https://www.industry.gov.au/policies-and-initiatives/science-technology-engineering-and-mathematics-stem