The technology revolution has made it critical for all children to
understand science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) or risk
being left behind. Promising Practices for Engaging Families in STEM
Learning explores how families, schools, and communities can join
together to promote student success in STEM by building organized and
equitable pathways for family engagement across all of the settings in
which students learn - including, schools, early childhood programs,
homes, libraries and museums -from the earliest years through
adolescence.
This thought-provoking monograph includes three main sections with
chapters from leading thinkers in the field:
- The first section provides the theoretical and research base for the
importance of family engagement in STEM and draws out the challenges and
opportunities that exist- from the transmission of adults' anxiety and
lack of confidence in their own STEM skills, to inequalities in
out-of-school learning opportunities, to biases and misconceptions about
the kinds of STEM supports offered by families from low-income and
immigrant homes.
- The second section builds on this research by presenting success
stories, best practices, and approaches to engaging families in STEM.
- The final section focuses on how policies at the local, state, and
federal level can support the promotion of family engagement in STEM.
Taken together, the monograph shows that STEM is a powerful mechanism to
connect, engage, and empower families.
- STEM provides opportunities for parents and children to spend time
together asking fun and meaningful questions that link in-and
out-of-school learning.
- STEM creates new experiences for families to co-construct and support
learning with their children from the earliest years throughout formal
schooling and onto college and career pathways.
- STEM also presents possibilities for families to build confidence and
agency in supporting children's interests; especially those families who
might be marginalized because of their economic or language status,
race, or culture.
