Youth development professionals can tell when youth are engaged in a meaningful and challenging activity.

i. Why is it important to teach STEM with hands-on activities?
ii. Why do you think that?
iii. What personal examples do you have of successfully teaching a hands-on activity?

Have you seen the animated whiteboard video of Sir Ken Robinson? With help from RSA Animate, Robinson explains the history of formal education and the necessity for Changing Education Paradigms.

At the core of the 4Cs—Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication—is another C: Curiosity.

Did you use the 4Cs today?

Of course you did.

But how?

Students who participate in extracurricular activities develop fundamental tools to provide and maintain critical thinking skills. Research suggests that the application of creative, abstract and imaginary expression through an aesthetic vehicle is needed to foster academic motivation, development and stability that will contribute to a child's fulfillment and security for a lifetime.

Providing high-quality STEM learning is bigger than simply presenting hands-on activities. The goal is to create an atmosphere of discovery where kids are engaged in creative and critical thinking. Asking good questions is an important part of creating the right environment. Through intentional questioning you can stretch young peoples' curiosity, reasoning ability, creativity, and independence.