First Things First: The Hidden Equation Behind STEM

Raleigh, NC – January 30, 2026

A recent LinkedIn post from the Secretary of Education got me thinking about the concept of “First Things First.”

The message was clear: education requires a foundation of involved parents and empowered educators coming together to uplift our kids. It’s about fostering a can-do mindset - viewing our children not as fragile vessels, but as strong, resilient, and adaptable individuals capable of deep critical thinking.

This sentiment reminded me of a blog post I wrote 14 years ago. At the time, I was having discussions with academia that led me back to a foundational question: What is STEM?

It has now become one of those ubiquitous acronyms - a buzzword that gets thrown around so often that its origins are forgotten (like 6-7!). We are all expected to know what it stands for, and asking for the meaning can feel like admitting you’re out of the loop.

So, let’s go back to basics. Really, what does STEM stand for? 

In my original post from August 2012, I asserted that the acronym only tells part of the story. To understand the full picture, we need a metaphor.

"Let's take an example scenario: my daughter is painting. Implicit in the word 'painting' is that she is using paint. 

What is not explicitly mentioned - but is absolutely necessary - is the paper or canvas she is painting on. 

Whether we say it or not, the canvas is there."

In this metaphor, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math are the colors.

Over the last decade, we’ve seen these colors evolve. "Arts" was added to make STEAM; for some, "M" morphed into Medicine; others added "H" for History. But irrespective of how many colors you have on the palette, the core idea remains the same: using content to create.

But colors alone are just puddles of paint without a surface to hold them.

Implicit in the word STEM is the canvas—the crucial life skills needed for a child’s development in the real world. I define this canvas as the 4 Cs:

• Critical Thinking

• Communication

• Collaboration

• Creativity

Without this canvas, the "colors" of STEM have nowhere to land. You cannot make a real impact with technical knowledge if you cannot think critically about it or communicate it to others.

Finally, we must look at the person holding the brush.

"While you think about STEM and its canvas, let's turn our attention to the painter... the person who is working with the colors. There are specific character traits needed in this person for them to be effective."

For this, I turn to Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Covey identifies three habits for "Personal Victory" that are essential for our painter:

1. Put First Things First: Prioritize what matters.

2. Be Proactive: Make the right choices and take initiative.

3. Begin with the End in Mind: Envision the goal and work backward to achieve it.

About STEM For Kids

STEM For Kids® empowers educators and caregivers with hands-on STEM programs that blend fun, real-world discovery with life skills like the 4Cs (communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity). Founded in 2011 in Raleigh, NC, by Moni Singh, the organization has grown to serve communities globally through camps, afterschool programs, in-school partnerships, and franchises. With a mission to "Make STEM Fun and Real," STEM For Kids inspires young innovators while fostering educator fulfillment. 

Learn more at https://stemforkids.net/ 

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