“Get your Kids into STEM”

 

By Guest Blogger: Caroline Gaskin

Programme Manager - First Edition

EDT - Engineering Development Trust

Part of my attraction when joining EDT was the thought of being part of an organisation that focused on affecting the choices and lives of young people during early education; helping them to gain a better idea of all the opportunities that are available. My background before joining EDT was still focused around education but at university level, my new position would transfer me to the other end of the spectrum, managing the delivery of events to young people from age 11.

People often make reference to the impact that teachers can have on subject choices for students, people tend to say that because they liked a teacher or enjoyed a teachers lessons they learned more or decided to pursue a particular route into a career, however over the past 8 months during my time at EDT it has become more apparent to me, the significant influence that parents actually have on their children and their child’s career choices.

A UK Department for Education article stated that “research shows parental involvement in children’s learning is a key factor in improving children’s academic attainment and achievements,” this is supported by the feedback we have received by schools at EDT in recent years reinforcing a case for parental engagement, as schools felt that young people seemed most influenced by parents as well as teachers when making decisions about their education.

As a parent, supporting your child through school is no doubt one of your top priorities. With the number of exciting resources now available encouraging their interest in Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects is now far easier than you may think! Organisations like mine have created opportunities to encourage parents to take a more vested interest in how their children’s subjects at school, later on can be applied to a career.

Some parents may already work in industry or within a STEM related job, so can provide the advice required when their child needs to decide on which subjects to study, which degree course to consider or whether to go for an apprenticeship in order to pursue a similar path, however some parents won’t have the same experience, and therefore may feel just as puzzled about what their child should choose as the student who is trying to make the decision.

I have seen firsthand how our STEM Family Challenge taster evenings have impacted families, with 96% of those attending really enjoying the event and wanting to take part in another; and 92% of families going away from the evening with a better understanding of STEM courses and careers.

As well as these impressive statistics, the events are great fun! We have launched rockets, dropped eggs off balconies, raced balloon powered cars and calculated the correct angle to launch planes the furthest. That is the great thing about encouraging your child’s interest in STEM – the ways in which you can do so and have fun!

With the fact that STEM is everywhere – encouraging your child doesn’t have to be difficult or costly to do! Search online for STEM at home, coding at home, science at home and you’ll find a number of ways to have fun, learn and spend time together on some challenging aspects of all STEM subjects.

If you want to know more, drop the First Edition team an email and we’ll try and answer your queries, or ask your school to host a STEM Family Challenge! Email firstedition@etrust.org.uk.