5 Signs a School is Serious About STEM Education
Educational and Fun Activities
Written Liam White
24 April 2025
🕓 14 min
In today’s fast-paced, innovation-driven world, it’s no longer enough for schools to just mention STEM on a prospectus or sprinkle a few coding lessons into the curriculum. Families are increasingly on the lookout for schools that live and breathe STEM education—places where science, technology, engineering, and maths are not only taught but celebrated, explored, and woven into every corner of learning.
The problem? Many schools claim to be “STEM-focused,” but not all of them follow through in a meaningful, measurable way. So how do you know if a school is truly committed to nurturing the next generation of scientists, problem solvers, and innovators?
Whether you're a parent evaluating options or an educator aiming to enhance your STEM offering, this blog highlights the five key signs that a school is serious about STEM—and how those efforts shape confident, curious learners.
1. Hands-On, Inquiry-Based Learning is the Norm
In a truly STEM-rich school, classrooms feel more like buzzing labs of discovery than lecture halls. Students aren’t just memorising facts—they’re exploring real-world problems, asking big questions, and testing their ideas in hands-on ways.
What this looks like:
- Regular experiments, engineering challenges, and build projects
- Students working in teams to solve open-ended problems
- Classrooms filled with tools, gadgets, and creative messes
Instead of one-off science fair projects, serious STEM schools embed inquiry-led learning into the daily routine. You’ll see Year 2 students testing materials to build waterproof shelters, or Year 6 pupils coding their own video games during project week.
These activities aren’t just fun extras—they’re the foundation of how children learn to think critically, persist through challenges, and collaborate effectively.
🔍 Tip for parents: Ask how often students engage in practical science and STEM projects outside of standard lessons. The more hands-on, the better.
2. Teachers Are Passionate, Trained, and Empowered
Even the best STEM curriculum falls flat without educators who truly understand and believe in what they’re teaching. A STEM-committed school invests in ongoing professional development to ensure teachers are confident, curious, and excited about delivering engaging lessons.
Key signs to look for:
- Teachers attend STEM CPD (continuing professional development) events regularly
- Staff collaborate across departments to integrate STEM (e.g., maths + art = design thinking)
- Schools invite industry professionals or STEM experts to train teachers or inspire students
Great STEM teachers model the mindset they want in students—they’re not afraid to say, “I don’t know, let’s find out!” They encourage exploration over perfection, and they know how to adapt experiments for different ages, abilities, and interests.
🧪 For schools: Investing in training pays off. When teachers feel supported, they spark deeper engagement and creativity in students.
3. STEM is Embedded Across the Whole Curriculum
In high-impact STEM schools, science and maths aren’t just standalone subjects—they’re deeply integrated across the entire learning experience. Art projects include elements of design and geometry. History lessons highlight the technology of ancient civilisations. PE explores biomechanics.
This cross-curricular approach might include:
- Design and engineering challenges in DT tied to environmental science
- Maths applied in cooking, architecture, or budgeting simulations
- Storytelling projects that involve coding or data analysis.
STEM becomes a way of thinking and problem-solving, not just a topic for specific times of the day. When schools treat STEM this way, students begin to understand its relevance to every aspect of their world—and that’s where lifelong engagement begins.
🌱 Inclusive bonus: Integrated STEM teaching also benefits diverse learners and helps identify hidden talents that might not shine in traditional subjects alone.
4. Strong STEM Culture Extends Beyond the Classroom
A school truly dedicated to STEM doesn’t stop at lesson plans. It builds a STEM-positive culture that extends into after-school clubs, family events, community links, and even its physical environment.
This might look like:
- After-school coding, robotics, or engineering clubs
- STEM assemblies and competitions that showcase student creativity
- Science weeks with guest speakers, fun experiments, and cross-year group collaborations
- Partnerships with local science centres, businesses, or universities
Some Croydon schools, for instance, collaborate with local organisations for real-world projects—such as designing garden irrigation systems or testing renewable energy kits. These types of opportunities show students that what they learn has value beyond the classroom.
🎈 What families love: A visible STEM culture shows that a school is committed to preparing children for the real world—not just passing tests.
5. A Clear Commitment to Inclusion and Access
The best STEM schools are passionate about equity and accessibility. They understand that great scientists and problem-solvers come from every background—and they actively work to ensure that all children feel seen, supported, and inspired in STEM spaces.
Signs of inclusive STEM education include:
- Differentiated lessons that suit a range of learning styles and abilities
- Diverse role models featured in science discussions and classroom displays
- Programs to engage underrepresented groups in STEM, such as girls in coding
- Resources adapted for sensory needs or alternative communication styles
STEM should never be exclusive. Schools that are serious about it know this, and they take deliberate steps to remove barriers, promote representation, and create a culture of belonging. This is what makes the difference between token efforts and transformational education.
🌍 For parents: Ask how the school supports neurodiverse learners or those with additional needs in science or maths. The answer will speak volumes.
Conclusion
When schools commit to real STEM education, they’re doing more than ticking curriculum boxes. They’re shaping children who are curious, resilient, collaborative, and capable of solving the big problems of tomorrow. If you walk into a school and see kids designing bridges, coding robots, questioning how things work, and feeling proud of their discoveries—you’ve found a place where STEM isn’t a subject. It’s a mindset.
Whether you're a parent choosing a school or an educator aiming for impact, these five signs are your compass. Seek out schools that make science a celebration, not a chore. The future depends on it—and so do our children. We deliver interactive science workshops and STEM clubs across Croydon that excite students and support teachers.
💡 Get in touch today to learn how we can help your school embed meaningful, inclusive STEM experiences—from the classroom to the playground and beyond!
