Integrating Charlotte Mason Education with STEM: A Winning Combination

STEM Mark RoberCharlotte Mason was a British educator who developed an educational philosophy that emphasized the development of the whole person, including their character, habits, and intellect. Her approach to education emphasize the importance of hands-on learning, living books, and the use of nature as a classroom. While Charlotte Mason‘s educational philosophy may not have explicitly included STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), her principles can still be integrated with STEM education to provide a well-rounded education that prepares students for success in the 21st-century. I also believe that she would have embraced STEM, because she was a forward thinking person.

One way in which Charlotte Mason‘s educational philosophy aligns with STEM education is through the emphasis on hands-on learning. Charlotte Mason believe that children learn best through hands-on experiences and exploration. STEM education as provide hands-on learning through experiments, projects, and activities that engage students in the process of discovery and problem-solving. By integrating hands-on learning with Charlotte Mason‘s educational philosophy, students can receive a more engaging in immersive learning experience that helps them develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

nature play

Another way in which Charlotte Mason‘s educational philosophy aligns with stem education is through the use of nature as a classroom. Charlotte Mason advocated for the use of nature as a classroom, which aligns with stem education‘s focus on outdoor learning in the study of the natural world. Stem education encourages students to explore and observe nature, and to use scientific inquiry to understand the world around them. By incorporating Charlotte Mason’s principles of using nature as a classroom, then children can learn about the natural world in a more meaningful way and develop a deeper appreciation for science and the environment. This has been a priority in our own home, and already I have seen the benefits with seven year old.

Charlotte Mason also emphasize the importance of living books, which are engaging and well written books that inspire a love of learning. STEM education can also incorporate living books, such as biographies of famous scientists and engineers, to help students understand the real world appreciation of stem concepts. By incorporating living books into STEM education, students can develop a deeper understanding of how stem concepts are used in the real world, which can help inspire a love of learning and encourage students to pursue STEM careers. CrunchLab subscription box

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Finally, Charlotte Mason’s educational philosophy emphasize the development of habits of mind, such as attention, observation, and perseverance. These habits are also essential for success in STEM education, we’re students must be able to focus on complex problems, observe detail, and persist through challenges. By incorporating Charlotte Mason’s principles of developing habits of mind and the stem education, students can develop the skills and attitudes necessary for success in stem fields.

So, with all that said, Charlotte Mason‘s educational philosophy and stem education can work well together to provide children with a well-rounded education that also prepares them for success in today’s world. By emphasizing hands-on learning, the use of nature is the classroom, the importance of living books, and the development of habits of mind, students can receive a more engaging in immersive learning experience that helps them develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and other skills necessary for success in stem fields.

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I'm Julia Mederich - My husband Jordan and I have 3 boys (7, 4, and 2) and a girl on the way. We are a Charlotte Mason inspired homeschooling family and enjoy going on nature adventures, reading aloud, and learning through play.

We live in Northwest Wisconsin.

I'm excited you're here! And hope this content inspires you on your homeschooling journey.

 

”Home is the nicest word there is.” -Laura Ingalls Wilder

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