3 Ways Grandparents Can Invest in STEM-Minded Grandkids

Some grandparents are as tech-savvy as they come. When visiting their grandkids, they whip out an iPhone or iPad, snap some selfies with their grandkids, upload them to Facebook, and even email them to Aunt Dorothy in Arizona with nary a problem. Other grandparents…not so much—they don’t even own a smart phone and Twitter is what birds do.

But whether you’re a grandparent who’s on Snapchat and can walk circles around your grandkids in Bejeweled, or you don’t even know how to open that email account your grandson set up for you, as a grandparent you have can have a direct and lasting impact in the life of your grandchild by encouraging them to pursue their STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) interest for God’s glory.

Here are three ways you can invest in your STEM-minded, academically-driven grandchild:

1. Do STEM activities with them. Most grandkids would love to share their passion with you and learn from your experience by doing hands-on activities alongside you. Here are a couple ideas to get you started:

• Built with Legos when you were a kid? Well, soon you’ll be able to build with Lego and then program your creation so it follows digital instructions. This Lego set would make a fun gift and don’t be afraid to get down and build and create with your grandchild.
• STEM toys are flooding the market. Perhaps consider investing in some engineering toys and seeing what kind of crazy structures you can build with your grandchild. Or maybe you built model airplanes, cars, or dinosaurs as a kid? Why not brush up on your skills and go at it again, this time with your grandchild by your side?
• Love to be outdoors? Take your budding biologist outside to explore nature. As they enjoy getting up close with what God has made, encourage them to always keep their focus on Him and do STEM for His glory.

And don’t worry if you’re not up on computers or the latest piece of tech. There are lots of activities you can do that don’t involve plugging something in! Don’t know where to start? Ask your grandchild. They’ll probably have some ideas and would be thrilled to share their interests and passions with you.

2. Visit a science center or museum together. These can be great places to learn more about STEM and many even offer hands-on activities. Beware, though, as many science centers and museums are heavy on the evolutionary content. This can be a great time to dialogue with your grandkids about creation and the truth of God’s Word.

3. Consider sending your grandchild to Camp Infinity. During one of our high-quality camps, they’ll do hands-on STEM activities that will expose them to different areas of STEM, encourage cooperation and teamwork (essential skills in any STEM career), and inspire creativity and ingenuity. They’ll also be building a biblical worldview, learning a theology of technology, and being equipped to defend the truth of God’s Word and the gospel. You can learn more about Camp Infinity at CampInfinity.com.

Camp Infinity

Where Science & Technology Meet Truth