Growth Mindset in STEM: Building Resilience Through Failure

June 07th, 2025 / By Olivia Maitre

While 95 percent of teens agree that risk-taking is required for innovation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM careers, 46 percent say they are afraid to fail or uncomfortable taking risks to solve problems, according to an American Society for Quality (ASQ) survey conducted by Kelton Global. When considering the wide range of lifelong benefits STEAM education has, it’s crucial to shed light on the importance of having a growth mindset in STEM, and how to build resilience through failure. This blog post will explain what a growth mindset is, why STEM helps develop it, the importance of resilience in learning, and how avoiding a fixed mindset can have lifelong benefits.

1. What exactly is a ‘Growth Mindset’?

A theory originally developed by Carol Dweck, a Stanford University professor who revolutionised education, a growth mindset refers to the conviction that talents and intelligence can be cultivated through dedication, persistence, and learning from setbacks. “In a growth mindset, people believe their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work- brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.”, Dweck says. For children and adults alike, embracing this outlook is particularly valuable because it enables them to tackle difficulties, gain insights from errors, and reach their objectives. In STEM education, an area that frequently demands mastery of complicated ideas and problem-solving abilities, adopting a growth mindset is crucial for achieving success.

To clarify the difference between having a growth mindset and a fixed one, someone with a fixed mindset views intelligence, abilities, and talents as stable and unchangeable over time. For instance, an entrepreneur will undoubtedly benefit from a growth mindset over a fixed one. See the image below from Harvard Business Review for further explanation.

https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/growth-mindset-vs-fixed-mindset

Interestingly, a growth mindset isn’t only beneficial in education and careers, but also in mental health. One study found that youth with a fixed mindset were 58% more likely to show severe symptoms of anxiety and depression compared to youth with a growth mindset. (Schleider, et all, 2015) Researchers also have found that “growth mindset buffers the link between stressful life events and psychological distress and coping strategies” (Schroder, 2016). In other words, a growth mindset can cushion or safeguard the effects of stress, anxiety, and depression and the use of unhealthy coping mechanisms. Growth mindset individuals view anxiety as temporary and an emotion they can learn to deal with using healthier coping strategies.

2. Why STEM helps develop a Growth Mindset

STEM is a valuable field of growth and discovery, as it inherently involves trial and error through scientific experiments, coding, engineering, and more. Learning from setbacks is not only expected but essential, fostering resilience, innovation, and deep understanding. Our wide range of STEAM boxes are designed to inspire curiosity and creativity, offering children engaging, hands-on learning experiences that make complex concepts accessible and fun through experiential education.

As mentioned before in our blog, STEM education leads to building a variety of valuable skills like critical thinking, adaptability, and collaboration through curiosity, creativity, and more. These skills empower students to approach problems with confidence, adapt to new challenges, and work effectively with others. By embracing the process of experimentation and iteration, learners develop persistence and a mindset that values progress over perfection.

This approach prepares them for real-world scenarios where solutions are rarely straightforward and success is built on lessons learned from every attempt. According to Kevin Kelly, an electrical engineer with a master’s degree in engineering, running a technology and innovation company, and winner of the STEM Champion Award at Washington Exec’s sixth annual K-12 STEM Symposium, “Pursuing a STEM education and career isn’t easy and will lead to occasional failures — but encouragement, fueling the passion and learning from those missteps are all part of the journey.” His goal is to spread his personal lessons to inspire the next generation of STEM professionals.

3. The importance of resilience and perseverance

A key part of cultivating a successful growth mindset involves building resilience and perseverance when facing new or difficult challenges. Developing these skills early in life is highly valuable for children, offering benefits that extend throughout their schooling, future careers, and everyday experiences. In STEM activities, perseverance can be nurtured by giving children opportunities to tackle complex problems, encouraging them to persist even when solutions aren’t immediately clear. Resilience grows as children learn to manage setbacks, adapt to change, and keep moving forward despite obstacles. By providing supportive environments where effort and persistence are recognised and praised, educators help students develop the confidence to take on difficult tasks and the determination to see them through to the end. This foundation not only prepares them for academic success but also equips them with the mental strength needed to thrive in all areas of life.

4. Strategies for encouraging a Growth Mindset

1. Embrace Challenges as Essential to Learning

Viewing obstacles as normal and valuable parts of the learning process helps children develop resilience and adaptability. When challenges are normalised, children and students come to see difficulties not as roadblocks but as opportunities for growth and self-improvement. Encouraging this mindset early in life is highly valuable, as it builds skills that benefit young ones throughout their schooling, future careers, and daily experiences.

2. Foster a Culture of Curiosity and Learning from Mistakes

Instead of focusing solely on right and wrong answers, guide them to reflect on what they learn from each attempt. Asking questions like, “What did you discover during this process?” shifts the emphasis toward exploration and understanding. This approach not only enhances engagement but also helps them develop critical thinking and a deeper appreciation for the learning journey.

3. Cultivate the Power of ‘Yet’ and Positive Self-Talk

Help children recognise that abilities can grow with effort and time by shifting their language from self-doubt to possibility. Replacing phrases like “I can’t do this” with “I can’t do this yet” encourages persistence and a belief in continuous improvement. Educators and parents can further support this by setting attainable, step-by-step goals, such as using the SMART method (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound), and celebrating progress along the way, which builds confidence and motivation.

4. Encourage Playful Experimentation to Overcome Fear of Failure

Use activities where kids and students can experiment and invent without the pressure to be perfect, allowing them to embrace curiosity and creative problem-solving. Playful learning environments reduce fear of failure and invite them to take risks, leading to unexpected insights and innovative thinking. Integrating real-world problems into lessons makes learning more relevant and motivating, while also giving them space to try multiple times, reflect, and ask questions, deepening their understanding and engagement.

Conclusion

Having a growth mindset helps you handle challenges in STEM and in life. By normalising setbacks, encouraging curiosity, using positive self-talk, and embracing playful experimentation, children develop resilience, adaptability, and a lifelong love of learning. Game-based learning makes failure a natural, even enjoyable, part of the process; especially with our boxes that offer hands-on STEAM adventures. Whether you’re an educator, parent, or student, try applying growth mindset strategies in your daily activities. Encourage yourself and others to view challenges as opportunities for growth, and don’t be afraid to experiment with game-based learning experiences.

As Maya Angelou once said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Let’s embrace the power of growth, curiosity, and continuous improvement: both in and out of home and the classroom.