Can Chess Enhance STEM Skills?

Yes, chess is a STEM activity!

At its foundation, the game is based on mathematics. Playing chess also cultivates patience, problem-solving, creativity, abstract reasoning, improved memory, concentration, critical thinking, strategic planning, visualization skills and so much more.

ChessKid.com is useful as a unique teaching tool in which to introduce scientific methodology in a classroom or home. Chess puzzles and lessons help teach students how to think their way through solving complex problems, and it’s a fun way to introduce STEM, STEAM, and 21st-century skills.

ChessKid presents at the 2022 Science Olympiad National Tournament STEM Expo

Science Olympiad is a national non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of K-12 science education, increasing opportunity and diversity in science, creating a technologically-literate workforce and providing recognition for outstanding achievement by both students and teachers.

Founded in 1984, Science Olympiad is one of the premier science competitions in the nation, providing standards-based challenges to 5,500 teams at 400 tournaments in all 50 states.

Science Olympiad's STEM Expo Week 2022 this year is being held virtually May 9-13th and is open for the whole Science Olympiad community: participants, coaches, volunteers and families.

All events are free and open to the public as well so sign up and find some inspiration. 

Interested in attending? Find out more about Science Olympiad's STEM Expo Week and this event, click here. 

Chess helps kids make learning STEM fun!

On Tuesday, May 10th, ChessKid’s Chief Chess Officer, Mike Klein, will be kicking off their new Elementary Science Olympiad STEM night event with an interactive chess presentation for the entire family to enjoy and participate in.

Chess master and personality FM Mike Klein.

Additionally, ChessKid has set up a summer of “Science Sunday” tournaments starting on June 5th, where families can play in fun weekly tournaments against each other and win exciting prizes. They'll have a chance to win ChessKid Gold Memberships, free ChessKid merchandise and more!

Interested in attending? Find out more about science olympiad and this event, click here. 

For more on why ChessKid is great for kids, check out this compilation of research studies and also some newer research.

Read more about STEM and Tournaments from this previous article.

Finally, are you yourself are interested in teaching chess to kids? ChessKid has prepared an ebook for you if you have been asking, How do I even start a chess program and teach kids how to play chess? This resource is for teachers, coaches, and parents to give them guidance on starting a chess program for kids.