In most traditional classrooms, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is taught through formulas, textbooks, and lab manuals. At Earthlore Academy, we do it differently.
Here, STEM isn’t a subject—it’s a way of thinking. A way of exploring. A way of discovering how the world works by living in it.
As a Montessori-inspired farm school, Earthlore integrates STEM naturally into the child’s everyday experiences. From planting seeds to building tools, observing weather patterns to measuring growth—science and math live in the soil, the sunlight, and the stories of the land.
Learning through Discovery, Not Instruction
In the Montessori approach, children aren’t simply told “what” to learn—they’re invited to ask, test, explore, and wonder.
- A child doesn’t just learn that plants need sunlight—they observe it firsthand by comparing crops grown in sun vs. shade.
- They don’t memorize angles—they build wooden structures, experimenting with balance and tension.
- They don’t do math drills—they measure soil, track rainfall, and calculate harvest yields.
This is STEM rooted in reality—deeply meaningful because it’s experienced, not just explained.
Concrete to Abstract: The Montessori Flow
One of the key elements of Montessori STEM education is moving from hands-on (concrete) materials to conceptual (abstract) understanding. At Earthlore:
- Children use Montessori math materials to understand place value, fractions, and geometry through touch and movement.
- They engage in real-world science—like composting, water testing, or studying animal behavior.
- They apply engineering principles by designing simple irrigation systems or building functional structures on the farm.
This tactile and experiential foundation helps them develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaborative skills—the heart of all meaningful STEM learning.
The Farm as a Living Lab
At Earthlore, the farm is the lab. It’s where:
- Biology is explored in the life cycles of plants, bees, and butterflies.
- Physics is understood by lifting water buckets, building ramps, and watching gravity at work.
- Math is practiced in sowing patterns, spacing seedlings, and weighing produce.
- Technology shows up in simple machines, irrigation systems, or even natural dye experiments.
Every natural element becomes an opportunity for scientific thinking. Every question becomes a doorway to discovery.
Why This Matters
We’re not just preparing children for exams—we’re preparing them for life. The Montessori STEM approach teaches children how to think, not what to think. It encourages them to:
- Ask bold questions
- Trust their observations
- Build solutions with their own hands
- Respect the interconnectedness of all living systems
In a world facing environmental and technological challenges, we believe this kind of rooted, hands-on, and responsible education is not just relevant—it’s essential.
At Earthlore, STEM isn’t a subject tucked into a schedule. It’s a way of seeing and engaging with the world—with curiosity, intention, and care.
Here, science grows with the soil, math dances in the rain, and discovery lives in every question a child dares to ask.
If this sounds like the kind of learning you want your child to experience, we’d love to welcome you to Earthlore.