How Can I Help My Child Become More Interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics?
Studies tell
us that academic performance
and achievement is enhanced
when parents become actively
involved in their children’s
education. Sounds like good
old common sense, doesn’t
it? After all, the parent is
the child’s first teacher.
In fact, a 1997 PTA sponsored
study concluded that one of
the most accurate predictors
of students academic progress
and success is the extent to
which parents (1) create a home
environment that encourages
learning; (2) communicate high
but reasonable expectations
for their children’s achievement
and future careers; and (3)
involve themselves in their
children’s education at
school and in the community.
So, what can parents do to help
their children become more interested
in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics?
- One of the most important
ways parents can help their
children develop an interest
in mathematics, science, and
technology is by exhibiting
attitudes and values that support
learning.
- Listen to children’s
ideas and explanations. Encourage them to ask questions and to seek answers. Avoid “negative”
statements such as “I
never liked these subjects
when I was in school”
or I got my worst grades in
these subjects.” Be
positive. Help communicate
the importance of mathematics,
science, and technology and
expect your children to be
successful in these areas.
- Help children see the mathematics,
science, and technology that
exists around them and that
they encounter in their daily
lives. Point out how these
subjects are used around their
home, in their community,
by various professionals,
and in such endeavors as music
and sports. The business and
sports sections of the daily
newspaper contain lots of
examples. Be sure to check
out the health and the science
and technology sections of
the paper.
- Involve your children in
family activities and “everyday”
jobs that use mathematics,
science, and technology. Activities
such as determining how much
paint is required to cover
a room if a gallon covers
“x” number of
square feet. Things that no
longer work and now simply
occupy space in the attic
or garage are great teaching
tools. Encourage children
to take these items apart
to learn how they go together,
how they work (and, perhaps,
determine why they no longer
work).
- It is never too early for
children to think about “what
they want to be when they
grow up.” Encourage
your children to ask questions
and to find out about different
jobs. How much education is
needed? How much mathematics,
science, and technology are
required? When you encounter
people in a “science-related”
career, encourage your child
to ask questions about their
jobs and the education required
for them.
- Become familiar with the
national and state standards
for mathematics, science,
and technology. Find out which
concepts align with which
grades. Learn which skills
are expected to be mastered
at which grades. Become familiar
with the mathematics, science,
and technology curriculum
offered by the local school
division.
- Taking part in organizations
and/or events sponsored by
the 4-H, the Girl Scouts,
and the Boys and Girls Clubs
is a great way for children
to develop an interest in
mathematics, science, and
technology.
- Participating in informal
learning activities, activities
that are not mandatory and
occur outside the school (i.e.,
formal learning) setting is
an excellent way to help children
develop an interest in mathematics,
science, and technology. Museums,
science centers, planetariums,
aquariums, and zoos, just
a few, are some of the many
informal learning opportunities
that exist within the community.
Parents, here are some organizations,
and Internet resources
that you can use to help create
an “active” learning
environment for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. We don't pretend to know of or be able to list every good website on the Internet. Here are a few websites to get you started.
How Can We Help You?
How Can Parents Get Involved?
KSNN’s “big sister” (The NASA SciFiles™) has some great information about the “hows and whys” of parental involvement in a child’s education.
How Can Parents Get Involved?
Kidsites For Parents
Your kids will think you are the BEST parent when you show them fun websites. The websites have been selected as kid-safe and kid-friendly.
Kidsites For Parents
Welcome to Home2School
Home2School is an interactive web site for parents. Parents can refresh their memory on long forgotten skills (Two Minute Tutorials) and find reading books for their children by grade level and interest (soccer, music, horses, etc.) Parents can also make their children top performers by ensuring that all the essential learning objectives have been completed. You can build a personalized education plan for your student according to the standards adopted by your state.
Welcome to Home2School
NASA Websites
NASA
Enter the NASA portal to explore
the many facets of NASA. Learn
the latest in space news; find
math, science, and technology
activities for home or the classroom;
shoot a cannonball into orbit;
or design your own mission to
Mars. It’s all just a
few clicks away.
http://www.nasa.gov
The NASA SCI Files™
Come explore the tree house
and help the tree house detectives
solve their latest problem.
Conduct experiments from Dr.
D’s lab, play the online
Problem-Based Learning (PBL)
game, or just check out the
research rack, expert’s
corner, or media room. This
is a great site for parents,
educators, and students in grades
3-5.
http://scifiles.larc.nasa.gov
Engineering and Technology Websites
Kids Design Network
Investigate a challenge, dream
up a design, and draw your plans
on the computer. Then, using
the Internet, you can show your
design to a real engineer! Best
of all it’s free!
http://www.dupagechildrensmuseum.org/kdn/index.html
The Tech Museum of
Innovation
A hands-on technology museum
devoted to inspiring the innovator
in everyone.
http://www.thetech.org/
The National Inventors
Hall of Fame
Celebrate the creative and entrepreneurial
spirit of great inventors showcased
on this web site through exhibits
and presentations.
http://www.invent.org/index.asp
Discover Engineering™
As you dig into this site, you will discover a wealth of information on engineering and careers. There are also some really "cool stuf" and games.
http://www.discoverengineering.org/
What Engineers Do
Discover what engineers do, what the job is like, and even how much they are paid
http://www.bls.gov/k12/text/mat_001t.htm
Websites for Girls
Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM)
A nonprofit organization dedicated
to encouraging women and girls
in the mathematical sciences.
AWM also offers a mentoring
program.
http://www.awm-math.org
Association for Women
in Science (AWIS)
An organization dedicated to
achieving equity and full participation
for women in science, mathematics,
engineering and technology.
http://www.awis.org
Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
An organization representing women in engineering and technical fields.
http://www.societyofwomenengineers.org
Government Education Websites
FirstGov Websites
The U.S. government’s official website portal. Includes links and general information about websites relating to every part of your daily life.
http://www.firstgov.gov
U. S. Department of Education
The U.S. government’s official website dedicated to updating you on the latest developments in education across the country.
http://www.ed.gov/audience
Virginia Department of Education
A great example of a state’s education website designed to easily provide the best and latest education information for all parents.
http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Parents/index.html
The Library of Congress
More than a library. . .an on-line collection of the words, pictures, and sounds of our country in a library that never closes.
http://www.loc.gov
Websites that will make you feel like an expert
Kidsites For Parents
Your kids will think you are the BEST parent when you show them fun websites. The websites have been selected as kid-safe and kid-friendly.
Kidsites For Parents
Parent’s Web Tour
Welcome to the Parents Web Tour, the Web portion of a unique learning adventure titled "Touring the World Wide Web." Experience firsthand selected samples of the exciting information and resources available on the Web for you and your family.
Parent’s Web Tour
Parents Talk
ParentsTalk is a free on-line parenting magazine with parenting tips, family activities, crafts for children, games, and help with a difficult child and other parenting information. Get parenting advice from parent experts. Share your stories and insights on the parent message boards.
http://www.parents-talk.com
TEAMS Programming for Parents
Parents will enjoy this section of a website sponsored by the Los Angeles Office of Education. Find loads of resources on arts and music, K-12 lesson plans, books online, professional development, math, history, social sciences, standards and assessment, internet and technology resources and more.
TEAMS Programming for Parents
Science For Families
Check out this collection of project ideas and links designed to get kids interested in science. Articles, scientific facts, and a message board can also be found here.
http://scienceforfamilies.allinfo-about.com
Websites “Just For Fun”
Imagiverse
Imagiverse.... the universe of our imaginations has no boundaries. Imagiverse believes that imagination is the key to learning. Teachers can teach, but learning comes from within. The website’s goal is to spark the flame that will lead young and old to pursue learning as an adventure through imagination. Activities, resources, and lots of information are available for all to see and use.
http://www.imagiverse.org
Exploratorium
With over 12,000 web pages exploring
hundreds of different topics,
the Exploratorium is a collage
of over 650 science, art, and
human perception exhibits.
http://www.exploratorium.edu/index.html
HowStuffWorks
A source for clear, reliable
explanations of how everything
around us actually works.
http://www.howstuffworks.com/
Brain POP™
Educational animated movies
for K-12 created to help explain
concepts and to demystify math,
science, health, technology,
and English topics in an entertaining
way for both children and adults.
http://www.brainpop.com/ |
