Guest Blogger Monica Villa
You want to harness the learning opportunities that abound when traveling with children. Focusing on STEAM may seem outside typical travel experiences, but there are in fact many ways in which these fields shape a location.
Here is a guide for learning with your children the role that STEAM has played in the area you are visiting.
You probably already know that there are countless benefits to traveling with your children. Exploring a new area allows for learning in organic and tangible ways. It may be obvious what a tourist destination has to offer your children. A visit to Washington DC can be focused on government; Chichén Itzá means appreciating Mayan civilizations.
But with some trips, it may take some planning to incorporate learning. This is especially the case when your travels are not for vacation, or when the spot may not be particularly famous. In particular, if you’re interested in incorporating science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) education, it can take a little planning ahead of time.
Why STEAM?
For our family, this focus comes naturally: my husband and I both graduated from scientific fields and have built careers that span across multiple industries. To us, educating our children in STEAM harnesses our innate talents while introducing our multiracial children to disciplines with a complicated social history. Our family life involves STEAM in a variety of ways, from formal learning activities to a running dialogue about science in the world around us.
These techniques translate well into travel, with some adjustments (there’s only so much you can pack after all) as well as some bonuses. I’ve put together the list below to help you prepare for teaching STEAM while learning. Like all learning with family, I suggest making some plans while being prepared to follow your children’s interests and curiosity in what you see/do. And one tip from this traveling parent—include down time in your plans!
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
The travel itself is an easy way to start talking about science and technology. Find ways to involve your children in planning. Older children can practice time budgeting when you involve them in building an itinerary. Introduce time to younger children by walking through a proposed schedule. Real-life applications of math concepts build understanding at a deeper level.
Whether by car, bus, train, plane, or ship (or a combination thereof!), your mode of transportation is the product of great innovation. Sample topics to discuss include aerodynamics, historical milestones, environmental effects, inventors and their cultural histories, buoyancy, and the evolution of design.
Exploring Museums
While museums may seem like an obvious choice of educational outings, it’s easy to miss the presence of STEAM within the focus of some. Museums have traditionally educated through visuals, but nowadays, many museums are incorporating interactive exhibits. These are the standard in children’s museums, but there is now a trend for having them in all types of museums.
In some locations, art museums are the most popular tourist attractions (we see you, Florence!). The “A” for art snuck its way into “STEM” because scientific and artistic minds are no longer considered separate. Innovations in design across a multitude of industries has revealed the invaluable role of art in the sciences.
When visiting an art museum with your family, you can introduce the subject of psychology and brain health. Ask your children what the artist may have been feeling while creating a piece and how they may feel about the topic. You can even discuss the presence of neurological differences and psychological disorders amongst artists. How might these factors influence the creation of art?
Art museums are also a good place to bring in some chemistry. Art preservation is a necessary field for maintaining these works for long periods of time. The acid-base chemistry of paper, how to prevent color fading, the texture of materials used in 3D art and their sources: these are all areas that you can teach your children about through an art museum.
For hands-on activities, consider having the family try arts like Chinese calligraphy, which ties in well with preservation. Drawing and painting like a particular artist (such as Monet) can put into practice the notions of depth perception and movement on a 2D surface.
A nearby science museum is an easy way to implement STEAM education in your travels, but it can also tie in the significance of those field on the geographical area. What inventions, notable scientists, and natural events is the area famous for? How did STEAM alter the course of history there? You can extend the conversation with older children into the ethics of science through the topics of war, the overlooking of female and BIPOC scientists, bias in scientific studies, and access to STEAM education in certain populations.
Learning in Nature
Natural areas are a real-life classroom. We continue to discover more about the benefits of integrating nature into learning. Nature provides demonstrations of topics we’ve learned about in other educational spaces.
If there is notable terrain, pick the characteristics that most stand out. Are there interesting geological structures? What natural disasters has the area experienced and when? When observing local flora and fauna, use the opportunity to discuss adaptations to the local environment.
Enjoying the outdoors plants makes it easier for children to understand conservation. When they can experience the natural world with all five senses, they will learn to appreciate it. Talk to them about the impact are humans having in this natural space. What actions can you as a family take to help conserve natural areas?
What could be more fun than testing out your theories about building, color, and adaptation than a hands-on exploration of natural materials? Encourage your children to feel through mud, build with stones and sticks, and dissect leaves, flowers, and branches.
Discuss the life cycle of an animal that lives in the area. How does it survive and what role does it play in its environment? If the local language different from yours, learn the names of the organism. Is there something in the name that says something about it?
And you know what else is involved in exploring natural areas? Exercise! Walking, hiking, biking, and rowing are all demonstrations of strength. Point out to your children what muscles are involved in the activity. Talk to them about the role of exercise in our lives.
Urban ecosystems can also highlight natural adaptations and conservation efforts. For example, there are Monk parakeet colonies in urban areas all around the world. You can visit these areas to see (and hear!) these birds.
In some cities, nonprofit organizations have come together to bring more nature into the surroundings. In Portland, Oregon, the organization Friends of Trees plants trees and native shrubs while building community. Volunteering with a conversation organization such as this one is a way to give back while learning.
Eating Locally
My family and I are really into food (but really, aren’t we all?!) Even though we now have multiple food restrictions that limit our exploration, we still love visiting local grocery stores and farmers’ markets while traveling.
Meal planning presents an opportunity to practice math at different levels. Younger children can help count the ingredients needed for a meal or a backpack snack, while older children can help plan the days’ meals around a budget. If there is a significant difference in prices compared to where you live, this may be good opportunity to discuss the cost of resources to produce food.
Depending on your location, you can take expeditions to a local farm. There, children can observe the terrain, climate, and resources that are needed for food production. For a more immersive experience, some families may enjoy a homestay at a farm. This can involve work in the fields, care for farm animals, and farm-to-table meals.
Nutrition is an important subject to maintain open in the family at all times, and travel is no different. Choose a local staple and talk about how it contributes to your health. Is it a health-promoting food or more of a treat? And what kind of foods are available near you that can provide energy for your explorations?
My best advice – and honestly a challenge for me – is to have a relaxed attitude about learning within the family. The benefit of having our children lear from us is that we can tailor experiences to their interests. And frankly, their current mood! Plan ahead so that you have ideas for incorporating education in your travels, but remember to go with the flow. Quality time spent together as a family naturally opens us up to organic dialogue, which leads to learning, investigating, and connecting. And as many times in parenthood, you may end up learning quite a bit from your children too!
Monica Villa is a mom of two and a multi-passionate entrepreneur. She speaks in Spanish to her children almost exclusively and enjoys guiding them through enriching activities. When she had trouble finding Spanish learning materials focused on inclusivity, growth mindset, and STEAM learning, she began to create her own. You can find her products at her Etsy store Español en casa. Follow her on Instagram at espanol_en_casa for support in raising Spanish-speaking children and her personal endeavors at mivpdx.
