Have you ever wondered what skills it takes to complete a STEM project? We often overlook how much speech and language skills for STEM matter in science, technology, engineering, and math. Throughout any project, we rely on sequencing and planning, vocabulary, reading, following directions, and social communication. Let’s take a closer look at how we use these five skills during a typical STEM project.
5 Speech and Language Skills for STEM
Sequencing and Planning
Sequencing and planning is the ability to form an idea, identify the steps needed to complete it, and carry those steps out in order to reach a goal. According to Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child, this kind of planning is a core executive function skill. It is especially important when completing a science experiment or working through a math problem.
For kids with a language or executive functioning delay, this skill does not always come easily, which can make STEM activities feel harder and less fun. These kids often attend speech therapy to build sequencing and planning skills, so daily tasks and experiments become more accessible.
Vocabulary
Simply put, vocabulary refers to the words someone knows and uses. As language skills grow, vocabulary grows right along with them, and an extensive vocabulary helps us comprehend, speak, read, and write. In STEM, for instance, understanding written or spoken directions is essential. It is also important to share your thoughts clearly so you can collaborate or ask for help. Without a strong vocabulary, much of your time would go toward looking up words rather than completing the project.
Reading
Next, reading is crucial for any experiment, problem, or project. Whether you try something new on your own or follow directions, there is always something to read. A strong foundation in speech sounds, and in how sounds work together to form words, helps when reading new words, because it lets someone sound out a word they have never seen. Beyond that, reading is a major part of language overall, which shows up in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
Following Directions
Reading the words in directions is one skill. However, understanding and following them is another. After reading, the next step is knowing what the words mean and putting them together mentally to carry out the task. Following directions is a language skill that is extremely important, and it is often a specific target in speech therapy for kids who struggle in this area.
Social Communication
Social communication skills let us interact with others appropriately. We rely on them not just to make friends, but also to collaborate with peers and teachers on experiments and projects. STEM is more fun and efficient when it is done with others. For some kids, these skills do not come as naturally, and many attend speech therapy to practice them. Our guide to social skills activities covers this in more depth.
Try It Yourself: SLIME, Speech and Language in My Experiment
Next time you complete a project, whether it is physics, biology, chemistry, robotics, cooking, or astronomy, ask yourself how you are using each of the five areas above. Here is an experiment to try. An adult should supervise, because Borax should not be eaten and should be kept away from young children.
What You Need
- 4 tbsp glue
- 1 tbsp Borax
- 4 tbsp water
- Food coloring (optional)
- 2 cups, popsicle sticks, and measuring spoons
Directions
- Mix the Borax with some of the water in one cup, and stir with a popsicle stick.
- In the second cup, mix the glue, a few drops of food coloring, and the rest of the water, and stir with a popsicle stick.
- Slowly pour the Borax mixture into the glue mixture, and stir with a clean popsicle stick.
- Your slime is done when you can lift the stick and most of the slime comes out with it.
As you work, notice the skills in action. Who plans the steps? Which words do you use? Who reads and follows the directions?
Another Idea: Collect Science Data With Live Animal Cams
Data collection is vital to science, but it can feel overwhelming, especially with terms like qualitative and quantitative. Live animal cams make it fun. Many zoos and wildlife organizations stream live cameras, so you can bring the animals to your living room. You can browse the live cams from Explore.org, and the Science A to Z site offers a data collection sheet.
To begin, collect qualitative data, which is observational. Have your child write notes about animal behaviors and guess why they happen. In one classroom, for example, students watched Kodiak bears traveling in groups of two or three and wondered whether bears need partnership more than other animals. A little research showed that bears are not as territorial as many other animals.
Then move to quantitative data, which is about quantity. On a separate sheet, write category headings such as sleeping, swimming, eating, fighting, playing, and wandering. Watch the cam for 10 minutes and tally each behavior you see. Afterward, talk about which behaviors came up most and why. This activity needs very little prep and is especially fun for kids who love animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are speech and language related to STEM?
STEM projects need planning, vocabulary, reading, following directions, and teamwork. Each of these is a speech and language skill, so a child with a language delay may find science and math harder than their ability would suggest.
How can I help my child follow directions during experiments?
Break the directions into short steps, read them together, and have your child say each step before doing it. Using “first,” “next,” and “last” also helps.
When should I talk to a speech-language pathologist?
If your child struggles to follow directions, plan steps, or work with others on projects, an evaluation can show what support would help. Our team can also help with executive functioning.
How ETLC Can Help
At Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center, we provide a comfortable, supportive environment alongside high-quality therapy that builds each child’s skills. We also partner closely with parents and other caregivers to help carry skills and strategies beyond the therapy room. Our locations are in Johnston and North Liberty, IA, with virtual services also available.
Learn more about speech-language therapy at ETLC or schedule a free consultation to talk with a member of our team.
You may also find these pages helpful:
- Social Skills Activities for Kids
- Executive Functioning Support at ETLC
- Fun Ways to Build Math Skills at Home
About the Author
Sonia Strueby, M.A., CCC-SLP, is the founder of Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center. With over 25 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist, Sonia has dedicated her career to helping children overcome complex communication and academic challenges. She has advanced training and a special focus on treating dyslexia and childhood apraxia of speech, and she is passionate about providing families with a clear path to success.
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