How to Impart STEM Education to Your Children

How to Impart STEM Education to Your Children

Science Education When it comes to technological innovation, the
United States remains number one. Yet, among 15-year-olds
worldwide, the US ranks 29th in math literacy, falling behind
Finland, Croatia, the Czech Republic, and Liechtenstein.[1] This
means that the US delivers a less-than-excellent education in
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM
education). Due to the declining quality of public primary and
secondary education as well as an overall lack of financial and
societal support (only 10 percent of children's TV characters are
scientists or engineers),[2] fewer young American students are
showing an interest in STEM education.

Given that so many US students have shied away from STEM studies,
American industry has been forced to continue its practice of
outsourcing overseas. This business strategy will not change unless a
sufficient number of American students pursue college and graduate
degrees in the sciences. As of late, there has been renewed attention
to STEM education as well initiatives and funding from the White House
on its behalf.[3] To contribute to this new momentum, parents and
caregivers can play a significant role in exciting their children
about STEM education and its professional possibilities. What are the
steps in taking this proactive approach? This article will help you to
get your children more involved in STEM education and loving it, too.

_Note: While this article relates in particular to the US situation,
the need to boost STEM education is similar in many Anglo countries,
and the methods outlined here are of great benefit to children in
these countries too._

!! Steps !!

* Discover your child's natural affinity and
academic aptitude. Every child's constitution is different, and
even though the theory of neuroplasticity tells us that the human
brain can adapt to almost anything, some children are able to
learn about the sciences more easily than others. Since it's clear
that different forms of knowledge exercise different parts of the
brain, some students will probably require a little more time and
effort than others to learn the same academic subject. As a parent
or caregiver, it is most important to understand the strengths and
weaknesses of your child, support him or her through the process,
and to try to alleviate unnecessary stress.

* Provide an environment that will instill a
healthy balance among your child's IQ (Intelligence Quotient), EQ
(Emotional Quotient) and PQ (Physical and Physiological quotient).
Fundamental for your child is the PQ; a child will not be able to
learn if he or she is hungry, tired, or indisposed. EQ also plays
a very important role in a child's academic success. If a child
feels emotionally deprived, he or she will not be able to learn.
IQ blooms only when PQ and EQ are supported to be their best.
Teach children about the ways in which
science and technology add value to the
quality of human lives. If children
understand all of the wonderful things
technology has done and can do, (for example,
the cell phone, the Internet, video games,
cures for diseases, for example), then they
are much more likely to get excited about
what they can achieve by pursuing an
education in science and technology.

* Make sure children can relate to the examples you pick. Talk about
curing illnesses rather than relating technological progress to
something like cancer stem cell research. Young children will not
understand highly technical language. If you can base your
discussion of scientific progress in a story about someone or
something a child is already familiar with (such as a family
member or friend who has been ill), your message will be much more
effective.

Create a science and technology environment
outside of school. This can be accomplished in
many ways:

* View science and technology TV channels with your child. Engage in
discussions about what you viewed afterward.

* Try an experiment that you saw demonstrated on TV or in a video.
Part of the fun can be gathering the items needed to perform it as
well as setting up the "experimental lab."

* Conduct Internet searches on performing fun experiments. There are
many sites dedicated to science projects for kids.

* Make home experiments fun occasions. Organize groups of kids to
participate at your home, in your backyard, garage, or another
safe place.

* Join or organize science and technology (S&T) related groups on
social networks like Facebook and LinkedIn in order to brainstorm
with other parents and caregivers. You might even be in contact
with teachers in S&T through these online communities.

* Find or start a supplementary school like the Saturday math school
in a Boston suburb established by Russian immigrants.[4]

* Become a member of the local science museum and keep a watch on
activities for kids. Incorporate regular visits into your family's
activities.

* Use building blocks, puzzles, and games for family activities.
Leave these in obvious places so that kids pick them up, play with
them, and view them as part of their everyday surroundings.

* Most importantly, engage in conversation about science-related
topics with children in way that pertains to everyday life
experiences.

* Bring science and technology closer to life
by pointing out its daily applications. Help children understand
how science and technology have led to such things as running
water, electricity, and cars. Create a before-and-after scenario
in order for your child to realize that people did not always have
running water, electricity, or cars. By explaining the history of
technology, your child will begin to comprehend that technology is
related to progress and serves a very important purpose in
day-to-day living.

* On a regular basis, conduct a task analysis
in relation to metacognition standards.[5] This way you can help
teachers correctly evaluate the cognitive abilities of your child
and match the mode of instruction to his or her skill level.
Explain that science and technology can lead to
fame and monetary gain. Appeal to children's
fantasies and tempt them! Provide examples of
great scientists and achievers. You can easily
find examples by conducting an online search.

* Consider making a home project out of researching the lives of
famous scientists and innovators. Show your child how to find
age-appropriate resources on the Web or in books and magazines to
find interesting facts. Have him or her report back with findings!
Work with your child to create a poster, Powerpoint, video, or
interactive presentation. Why not use technological media to
display knowledge about science and technology?

Teach critical inquiry skills to your child in
the early stages of his or her life. Start by
demonstrating how to observe, ask questions,
create hypotheses, and test those hypotheses.
Inquiry is the basis of science, math, and
technological activity. When one is interested
in how something works, inquires into it, and
then makes discoveries, the desire to learn
more ignites! Curiosity leading to inquiry
provides the best foundation for perpetual
self-improvement through study and
experimentation.

* Encourage children to ask questions. Try not to brush aside their
queries, even if they don't make sense or are not good questions.
Turn the bad question into an interesting and relevant question
and then engage in discussion. You don't necessarily need to know
all of the answers. An important part of the process is helping
your children learn how to find answers themselves through your
guidance.

!! Video !!

!! Tips !!

* Make a firm decision that you will teach your child science and
technology. Do this early in on in your child's life starting from
the age of two. This will give you the opportunity to play with
building blocks and picture books in an S&T-oriented way. By the
same token, if you haven't been focusing on S&T in your child's
life, start now. It's never too late to share the importance of
S&T in their lives.

* It's crucial to assess your child's learning capacity and build
your expectations in relation to it.

* Evaluate a school's scientific curriculum and rate of success
before enrolling your child. If you have no choice but to enroll
in a school that you don't feel is providing adequate S&T
education, supplement it in the home environment. You might
consider tutoring if needed, although without adding too much to
your child's workload.

* Make your home a comfortable and encouraging place to offset the
stress of school.

* Interact with faculty regularly to take stock of the situation and
enlist remedial help if needed. Seek support that is empathetic
and encouraging, not indifferent or dismissive; negative attitudes
affect the parent and caregiver as well as the child.

* Be on the lookout for ideas on meeting challenges related to
teaching technology as well as on improving children's capacity to
interact with technology.
For an international perspective on the science performance of select
countries, see the list below.[6]

!! Warnings !!

* Do not pressure your child to take on more than he or she can
handle. Your child's well-being and his or her pure interest in
the subject is more important than grades. It is important for
your child to feel proud of being an S&T student.

* Make sure your guidance is timely. Waiting too long to introduce
your child to the excellence of a science education may lead to
irreparable loss. If you start too late, your child may wind up
feeling indifferent and inadequate. All the same, do not resign
yourself. There is always interest to be found in technology and
its applications to life, even with those who seem to be
uninterested.

!! Things You\'ll Need !!

* Books about science (chemistry, biology, environmental,
engineering, physics, etc.), science experiments, fun math facts,
information about technology

* Science experiment materials: consider making a space in a
cupboard for these materials that accessible to your children when
they want to conduct experiments.

* TV program guide, DVDs, etc. based on science and technology

* Museum schedules

* Online bookmarks of interesting and relevant science and
technology educational websites.

!! Related WikiHows !!

* How to Nurture Future Leaders

* How to Improve Your IQ

* How to Master the Art of Emotional Intelligence

* How to Build a Science Project

* How to Conduct Scientific Research

!! Sources And Citations !!

!! Article Tools !!

* Read on wikiHow

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