• 10 STEM Tips for Parents (by Anne Jolly - "Middle Web - All about the Middle Grades")

    1. Be alert for opportunities to talk with your child about STEM-related topics. For example, talk about gravity when your child tosses a ball in the air.  Discuss fractions or percent when you slice a pie. (Warning! Depending on the topic, you may need to do some brush-up research.)

    2. Encourage curiosity and questioning. Rather than giving an answer or a solution to a problem, encourage your child to research information and/or to come up with several possible solutions for a problem.

    3. View science and technology TV and videos with your child. Talk together about the program you viewed afterward.

    4. Make your home a STEM-friendly place. Be enthusiastic about ideas that your child wants to test (within reason). Set up a place for experimenting and building prototypes. Provide materials for experiments. These don’t have to be expensive. Materials might include things like paper cups, craft sticks, glue, etc.

    5. Organize groups of kids to participate in a STEM Invention Club. The website has all the information you need to guide kids in exploring and experimenting together.

    6. Promote cooperation and teamwork as kids work together on STEM challenges. Before they begin working in teams, ask them to share behaviors they value in other team members. Guide them to develop a list of ground rules they will follow, based on their valued behaviors.

    7. Search out STEM-related recreational activities such as a trip to a local science or a visit to an Exploreum. Visit robotics competitions or and encourage your child to ask questions and/or participate.

    8. Stay in touch with your teacher and offer to help with STEM activities at school; or enlist help if needed with your STEM activities at home.

    9. Direct your child to these websites for information and STEM fun:

    • – This PBS site features creative activities, engaging video, interactive games, and exciting contests.
    • – At this site children can view videos, play interactive games, and design “Cool Stuff.”
    • – This website features educational activities and videos, including some STEM activities.

    10. Display curiosity about things you see and show your own interest in learning. This may be the most important tip of all. 

    Your enthusiasm will be the greatest motivator for your child’s interest in STEM.