Integrating STEM Across the Curriculum

As both a Spanish and STEAM teacher, I frequently incorporate STEM activities into my Spanish classes. I believe these skills are essential for today’s learners and their future success. I want them to learn Spanish, and I also want them to be prepared for whatever the future brings.

When I talk about STEM, I am frequently asked, “How can we bring STEM into every classroom, when time, resources, or training may be limited for educators and schools?” Many teachers want to integrate STEM, but they feel overwhelmed or unsure if it is suitable for their grade level. STEM doesn’t mean you need expensive kits or extra class periods. It can start small, by using everyday items and creating quick STEM challenges that develop future-ready skills. These experiences have a powerful impact on student learning.

Emerging STEM Skills

According to the World Economic Forum’s Job Skills Outlook for 2025, artificial intelligence and big data have made their way to the third-most in-demand skill sets. The job market is shifting to meet emerging needs. Some fields like cybersecurity, AI and machine learning, coding, and software development are growing quickly, and will continue to do so. The report also lists a variety of essential human skills and the need to be technologically fluent and adaptable.

In your classroom, have students explore job boards or LinkedIn profiles for careers in an area that interests them. Ask them to identify the STEM skills listed, especially for what may be considered non-STEM jobs. Task them to create a visual to share their findings with classmates.

Skills Gained Through STEM

Technology-related skills are even more relevant now as we navigate the integration of AI and other emerging technologies. STEM activities enhance skill-building by fostering innovation and digital literacy. Here are a few essential skills that students develop by engaging in STEM activities.

Critical thinking and problem-solving. Through project-based learning (PBL) or design thinking activities, students learn to ask questions, test hypotheses, and reflect on their progress. They learn more about the process of learning and face challenges as they decide how to solve these challenges.

Creativity. Solving real-world problems, such as exploring global issues like sustainability, the impact of technology use on the environment, or using technology for good, involves trial and error and can boost some out-of-the-box thinking. For example, my students have created public service announcements showcasing innovations they created that would leverage AI to solve global challenges.

Collaboration and communication. STEM tasks can be team-based, and preparing students to work with others is an essential skill. Students design, build, and test their creations and rely on collaboration and communication within their group.

Resilience. STEM learning thrives on mistake-making and revision. Failing is part of the process, and students learn that it’s OK and become more comfortable with it as they work on their challenges with the support of peers.

In your classroom, try a STEM Challenge of the Week. For example, provide students with materials such as paper, tape, straws, and other readily available items, and give them a design challenge like building a bridge to hold an object. These activities help to foster the development of transferable skills.

Cross-Curricular Opportunities for STEM Integration

One way to enhance STEM education is to align projects or assessments around a common theme such as health, climate, or innovation. In my STEAM class, we spend time learning about global challenges, and then students create solutions using augmented or virtual reality tools or AI to come up with a solution.

One of the most impactful projects I’ve seen came from a community STEM program where students met on four Saturdays and one week during the summer. They explored augmented and virtual reality, AI, and coding, then applied what they’d learned to tackle real-world sustainability challenges. Each group selected a topic, designed a prototype using emerging technology, and presented their solution at a community showcase. The results were amazing, and students gained confidence, developed leadership and creativity, and saw firsthand the power of STEM to solve real-world problems.

For educators who are thinking about this but unsure of the time involved for planning, with the AI-powered tools available, brainstorming ideas and creating PBL units is easier. I’ve used Eduaide.Ai, MagicSchool, and TeachShare to generate materials for my classes based on specific prompts related to career and technical education or STEM and cross-curricular collaboration.

Here are some ideas for combining STEM learning with other content areas.

English language arts. Students can read about scientific topics, write a persuasive essay on the use of technology, or create a podcast about an engineering breakthrough. Look at resources from Scratch and have students write and animate stories with code, which encourages computational thinking and creativity. Through NASA for Educators, educators can find free lesson plans, challenges, and videos, plus activities for nonfiction reading and writing about space exploration and science.

Health or physical education. Students can analyze body movements during sports and apply concepts from physics, then analyze and graph the data. Students could collect and graph data on heart rate, endurance, and reaction time using wearable devices or simple experiments. There are resources available that support this, such as PhET Interactive Simulations, which offers interactive science and math simulations from the University of Colorado. Another idea is to use Microsoft MakeCode and create coding challenges that connect physical activity and sensors (e.g., pedometer projects with micro:bit).

Social studies. Students can study the history of innovation or engage in discussions about the ethical concerns of AI. Using Scratch or another coding program, students can re-create events in history and create interactive stories or simulations through code.

Art. Students can create prototypes or use platforms like Tinkercad for 3D modeling, which is perfect for creating prototypes and integrating engineering with design thinking. Scratch and Scratch Jr. are free resources for students, available in multiple languages, promoting accessibility and inclusivity. Students can bring stories and characters to life with animations and interactive designs. Another option is Microsoft Minecraft Education, which is ideal for building models and simulations that connect architecture, history, and STEM.

These are just a few ideas to consider when starting with STEM in a nontraditional STEM classroom. Looking ahead, our youngest students may likely enter jobs we have not heard of, and they need to understand how to navigate technologies we haven’t yet considered. Providing students with the opportunity to explore, be curious, fail, reevaluate, and continue to grow is key. Through STEM, we’re not just preparing students for future careers; we’re preparing them to think critically, work collaboratively, and be flexible in the future of work. And we are learning right along with them.