12 Days of STEM

Creating Holiday STEM activities for students and their families during the December holidays can be incredibly beneficial for several reasons:

1. Engagement and Learning: These activities keep students engaged in learning during the holiday break, preventing the "summer slide" effect where students lose some of the knowledge they gained during the school year.
2. Family Bonding: STEM activities can be a fun way for families to spend time together, fostering stronger family bonds and creating lasting memories.
3. Skill Development: These activities help students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity skills, which are essential for their future education and careers.
4. Inspiring Future Careers: Exposure to STEM fields can inspire students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

As for supporting the Department of Defense (DoD) priorities, promoting STEM education aligns with several key goals:

1. Developing Talent: The DoD emphasizes the importance of developing the right people By encouraging STEM education, we help cultivate a future workforce that is skilled in critical areas like cybersecurity, engineering, and technology.
2. Innovation and Modernization: The DoD aims to innovate and modernize its systems. A strong foundation in STEM can lead to innovative solutions and advancements in technology that can be applied to defense systems.
3. National Security: A well-balanced population in STEM fields contributes to national security by ensuring the U.S. remains competitive in technological advancements and defense capabilities.
4. Purpose: By creating Holiday STEM activities, you're not only providing educational value but also contributing to the broader goals of national security and technological advancement.