Why STEM Education in Primary School and Early Years Matters More Than Ever
- Laura
- Sep 9
- 4 min read
STEM education - Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths - is no longer confined to secondary schools. Research shows that children begin forming ideas about which subjects they enjoy, what they’re “good at,” and even which careers might be “for them” from as early as age 7. By the time children are 11, many have already discounted paths such as engineering or coding simply because they don’t see them as relevant or achievable.
This makes the early years and primary phases critical for shaping positive perceptions of STEM.
Why Early STEM Education Matters
Participation: Women represent less than 20% of the UK engineering workforce, and participation from ethnic minorities lags significantly behind. A UK ‘rapid evidence review’ revealed that only 38.5% of girls aged 11–18 express interest in engineering careers, compared to 62.5% of boys. The disparity we see in the workforce begins before age 11, meaning the primary years the best time to tackle this.
Changing perceptions: Without intervention, stereotypes form quickly. Children may start to believe that “maths is too hard” or that “engineering is only for boys.” Early, positive encounters with STEM can counteract this. Research by NUSTEM found that sustained engagement (2+ years) in primary schools broadened children’s aspirations, particularly among girls, toward STEM roles like engineering and the physical sciences.
Inclusivity: One of the most powerful things about STEM in early education is that it reaches every child. Children who may not shine in traditional academic tasks often thrive when they’re building a bridge, coding a robot, or inventing a new gadget. Practical STEM activities give them the chance to feel proud, capable, and creative, which in turn supports their confidence.
Confidence: Studies show that children who engage in hands-on STEM activities develop higher self-confidence in problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration. These skills are crucial for children's futures in an increasingly automated world.
Impact across the curriculum: Research has shown that children taking part in engineering activities show improvements in maths attainment and problem-solving across other subjects too. STEM isn't a bolt-on; it’s a foundation that strengthens learning everywhere.
What’s Missing in the Current Primary Curriculum
Of course, maths and science already feature in the timetable every week. But:
Maths is often taught abstractly. The practical side of maths, i.e. how it applies to real-world engineering, design, and problem-solving, can be missed.
Science is usually focused on knowledge and experiments, but less often on making and building. Children rarely get to design, test, and iterate in the way that engineers do.
That’s where STEM enrichment, especially engineering-focused activities, come in. By making things, testing ideas, and seeing real-world applications, children, begin to connect classroom learning with the world around them.
The challenge for teachers
Teachers are under huge pressure to deliver results across literacy, maths, and wider curriculum goals, all within a timetable that seems to shrink every year. Many say they would love to do more practical STEM but lack time, resources, or confidence in their own STEM background.
Three Ways to Bring STEM to Life in Your Classroom
1. Mini Engineering Challenges
The key is momentum. Children don’t need perfect resources or a full-blown project to feel the spark of engineering. They just need the chance to try. Once they’ve had even a short, hands-on challenge, their confidence grows and they begin to see themselves differently. A few minutes of “making” can ignite a curiosity that lasts far longer than the activity itself.
You can try introducing mini engineering challenges in class once a week. Start small: a 10-minute "build a bridge" task using simple materials, even just sheets of A4 paper, can be a great start. As children build they'll be reinforcing geometry, balance, and trial-and-error, while also having fun, collaborating, problem-solving and developing resilience.
What if engineering was your class's Friday reward? Imagine 30 children looking forward all week to their chance to engineer.
2. Introducing Role Models
Research has shown that across Europe, 41% of girls with STEM role models express an interest in STEM, compared to 26% without one. Role models also increased interest across maths, physics, biology, chemistry, and computing by about 12%, and helped girls envision STEM careers in their future.
Using STEM storybooks and real-world examples to inspire discussion brings STEM to life, making learning relatable, lowering barriers and proving context that fuels curiosity and engagement.
The STEM Hero resources, sent out for free every week, can help you bring stories from a diverse range of inventors, makers and engineers to your children in a ready-to-use classroom format.
3. Inviting External Providers to Deliver Workshops
Evidence shows that real-life role models significantly boost children's career confidence.
At Inventors & Makers, we specialise in bringing practical STEM and engineering into nurseries and primary schools. Our workshops give children the chance to make, test, and invent while developing key skills for the future. Whether it’s through after-school clubs, special sessions for British Science Week, or teacher-friendly resources, we aim to make STEM accessible, exciting, and confidence-building for every child.
If we want children to grow up believing they can shape their world, we need to start early. The window for inspiring girls (and all children) opens early and narrows rapidly. STEM in primary and early years isn’t just about future jobs, it’s about confidence, creativity, and giving every child the tools to thrive.
Looking to bring practical STEM into your school?
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