By Amy Nakamoto
Student engagement is more than just participation; it’s about igniting a spark that inspires all students to pursue their passions, make meaningful contributions, and become lifelong learners. Extensive research shows that engaged students are more likely to excel academically, develop critical thinking skills, and feel empowered to make a difference in their communities.
Engaging students requires a multifaceted approach that combines innovative teaching methods, real-world applications, and supportive learning environments. Here are six steps educators can take to foster engagement:
- Encourage Curiosity and Inquiry: Create a classroom culture that values questions and exploration. Encourage students to pursue topics they’re passionate about and provide opportunities for hands-on learning.
- Leverage Technology: Utilize digital tools and resources to bring lessons to life. Virtual labs, simulations, and interactive activities can make abstract concepts more tangible.
- Connect Learning to Real-World Scenarios: Show students how their studies relate to real-world challenges and empower them to develop innovative solutions. Give students a platform to apply their knowledge and skills to issues they care about.
- Foster a Sense of Community: Build a supportive classroom environment where students feel safe to express their ideas and collaborate. Group projects, peer reviews, and class discussions can help strengthen these connections.
- Provide Recognition and Encouragement: Celebrate student achievements, both big and small. Whether through awards, public recognition, or simple words of encouragement, showing appreciation for their efforts can boost motivation and confidence.
- Offer Opportunities for Engagement: Encourage students to get involved in their communities. Programs that promote civic engagement help students understand the impact they can have on society.
At Discovery Education, we’re on a mission to help every student connect what they learn in the classroom to the real world. Curiosity is nurtured by connecting the dots between what students learn in the classroom to what’s happening in the world outside of the classroom. We do that by creating and offering accessible and innovative classroom tools, including instructional materials, that deliver equitable learning experiences that engage all students and support higher academic achievement on a global scale.
We also take the real world to the classroom by partnering with industry-leading organizations to ensure access to high-quality education and address relevant topics impacting today’s classrooms, communities, and the workforce. I’m proud to share with you two of the latest examples of how educators are creating opportunities for all students to make real-world connections:
America’s Field Trip with America250 is an initiative celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary and inspiring all students to explore United States history, civics, and culture through creative submissions. In July 2024, 75 students from grades 3-12 were announced as the inaugural awardees. Their projects, including artwork, essays, and videos, captured what this nation means to them.
First-place awardees from this year’s contest got the opportunity to explore locations, including:
- Tour the Statue of Liberty in New York
- Tour and hike Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Montana
- Spend a weekend at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado
- Attend unique tours at the National Archives and the Library of Congress in Washington, DC
- Experience special tours at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, or the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC
- Explore America’s iconic financial capital, New York City, with private tours of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York Museum and Learning Center and the New York Headquarters of BNY, the country’s oldest bank
- Experience National Parks of Boston with a special visit to the USS Constitution and a sunset cruise to Spectacle Island
- Attend a candlelight tour at Fort Point at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge
- Attend a costumed roleplaying experience at American Village in Alabama
Accompanying free toolkits with lesson plans and student activities empowers educators to bring the America’s Field Trip contest to their classrooms. And good news! More submissions will be accepted in September 2024 (learn more here).
Programs like America’s Field Trip help students build the foundational knowledge that makes history tangible, accessible, and relevant. Understanding historical contexts empowers students to participate more actively in their communities.
The 3M Young Scientist Challenge is another remarkable example of fostering student engagement through real-world applications. This annual competition invites all middle school students to tackle everyday problems through scientific innovation. Just recently, the top 10 finalists, 26 state merit winners, and four honorable mentions were announced. Each of these students showcased a remarkable commitment to using science for good.
Here are just a few examples of engagement in action:
- Aryan Agarwal, the state merit winner from California, developed a sustainable water filtration system.
- Margaret Hoffman, the state merit winner from Minnesota, created a device to reduce food waste in homes.
- Daryn Do, an honorable mention recipient from Massachusetts, ideated a method to harvest energy from rain using hiking and camping gear.
- Brody Jaworski, an honorable mention recipient from Texas, crafted a way to chemically transform dead leaves into adhesives.
These young scientists aren’t just solving problems; they’re setting the standard for what it means to be engaged and active participants in our world.
The future is in the hands of today’s students, and their potential is limitless. By fostering engagement, students are empowered to become leaders, innovators, and active citizens. Let’s continue to support and celebrate their efforts as they work to change the world for the better.
Amy Nakamoto is the Executive Vice President of Corporate Partnerships at Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, and innovative classroom tools, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at DiscoveryEducation.com.
- Discovery Educationhttps://ace-ed.org/author/discoveryeducation/
- Discovery Educationhttps://ace-ed.org/author/discoveryeducation/
- Discovery Educationhttps://ace-ed.org/author/discoveryeducation/
- Discovery Educationhttps://ace-ed.org/author/discoveryeducation/
