Talking with parents about STEM learning 'can improve pupils' achievement levels'
Parents of secondary school students who spend time talking to their children about the relevance of science and maths classes could make a difference in helping students to achieve more in these subjects.
This is according to new research from the US, which showed that parents may have a bigger role to play in conveying the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects to pupils than previously thought.
For this study, led by the University of Chicago, researchers designed materials to help parents talk to their children about the relevance of STEM fields, specifically highlighting topics of interest such as the role of maths and science in how modern smartphones work, or how the subjects can set people up for specific careers.
Parents participating in a decades-long study in Wisconsin were split into two groups, with one receiving the materials, while the other served as a control group. It was shown that parents who were given the information on the benefits of STEM education saw their children achieve better grades in maths and science, as well as becoming more likely to take elective STEM courses.
This, in turn, affected the number of STEM classes in which students enrolled when they reached further education, influencing the careers they went on to pursue and their overall perception of the value of STEM fields.
The findings indicate that parents have a greater-than-expected effect on shaping the educational perceptions of older children, and that they could therefore be instrumental in encouraging more pupils to study these economically important subjects.
Christopher Rozek, a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Chicago, said: "By the time students are teenagers, many parents don't think there is much they can do to change their children's minds or help them be motivated.
"This research shows that parents can still have a substantial effect."
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£1,650 - 1,900 per month
Location free text
Bolton
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Greater Manchester
Description
Our client school in Bolton is looking for a Teaching Assistant to join their learning support department. Full-time Teaching Assistant required.Secondary school in Bolton.Multiple positions availabl
Reference
1803 TA
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester West SecondaryAuthor
Manchester West SecondarySalary
£20 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Colchester
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Secondary
Location
Colchester
Description
Are you passionate about supporting young people with their learning and social development on a 1:1 basis? Then you should consider 1:1 tutoring, as our roles have an academic focus as well as helpin
Reference
es.colch
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£20 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Colchester
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Secondary
Location
Colchester
Description
Being able to support young people and make a real impact on their learning is one of the best benefits a job can bring! We’re proud to say that, at Teaching Personnel, our 1:1 tuition roles gives edu
Reference
ES.COLC
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£20 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Harlow
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Secondary
Location
Harlow
Description
Being able to support young people and make a real impact on their learning is one of the best benefits a job can bring! We’re proud to say that, at Teaching Personnel, our 1:1 tuition roles gives edu
Reference
ES.har
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£90 - 130 per day
Location free text
St Albans
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Hertfordshire
Description
Position: Cover SupervisorLocation: St AlbansAt Teaching Personnel, we are looking to recruit cover supervisors for flexible needs for our client schools in St Albans.Are you a teacher or recent gradu
Reference
CvS/03/2024
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£12.82 - 15.00 per hour
Location free text
Clitheroe
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Clitheroe
Description
Teaching Assistant required in Clitheroe. Monday 15th April 2024 start date.Friday 19th July 2024 end date.Full-time: Monday-Friday, 8.15am – 3.05pm A Secondary school in Clitheroe are seeking to ap
Reference
1803TABB7
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire SecondaryAuthor
Lancashire SecondarySalary
£153 - 235 per day
Location free text
Chorley
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Science
Location
Lancashire
Description
Position: Chemistry TeacherLocation: LancasterStart date: April 2024.End date: July 2024.An ‘outstanding’ grammar school in Chorley are looking to appoint an experienced Teacher of Chemistry to join t
Reference
Ob-CT-PR7043985
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire SecondaryAuthor
Lancashire SecondarySalary
£350 - 450 per week
Location free text
Tameside
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Tameside
Description
Job description Job Advertisement: Teaching Assistant Support Worker TransitionPosition: Teaching AssistantLocation: TamesideContract Type: Full-timeAre you a compassionate and dedicated Support
Reference
952
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester East SecondaryAuthor
Manchester East SecondarySalary
£550 - 700 per week
Location free text
Manchester
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Secondary
Location
Manchester
Description
Overview: £550 - £700 per week, dependant on experience.CPD and training courses available.No planning or marking required.Delivering lessons to pupils throughout secondary school years. Are you loo
Reference
951
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester East SecondaryAuthor
Manchester East SecondarySalary
£140 - 235 per day
Location free text
Clapham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Other
Location
Greater London
Description
Job Title: Specialist Teachers Needed Location: England, Greater London, ClaphamSalary: £140 - £235 Per dayJob Description: We are currently seeking dedicated Specialist Teachers in various subjects
Reference
RL192322
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Wimbledon BranchAuthor
Wimbledon BranchRelated posts
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
Planning for the Easter break? The Teaching Personnel payroll team wants to make sure you get paid on time. This table outlines the Easter 2024 payroll date, along with the corresponding deadline
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
Supply TeachingContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
Table of Contents 1. Why do people become supply teachers? 2. What does it take to become a supply teacher? 3. How can I find work as a supply teacher? <!-- b--> 4. How shou
by
Alex Schulte
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision in schools is a critical aspect of education that demands attention in 2024. According to the Department for Education, over 1.5 million pupils in England
Teaser
Multi-Academy TrustsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
Laura Williams is an education leadership coach with fifteen years of leadership experience in education across business, operations, HR, finance and governance. She is a former Business Manager, CO
by
Scott Owen
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
Creating a safe and nurturing environment for pupils is paramount in the age of evolving social dynamics. One issue that has gained significant attention in recent years is the distinction between
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson addressed the Labour Party conference in October, where she announced plans to reform primary maths. Currently, one in four children leave primary school
Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
Mock exams are a crucial milestone in a pupil's academic journey, serving as a practice run for the real deal. As educators, you play a pivotal role in helping pupils navigate through these trial ex
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
In the fast-moving world of education, headteachers and schools face the challenge of ensuring a continuous and reliable supply of qualified teachers. Unforeseen teacher absences due to staff sickness
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Embarking on the journey to become an educator is both exhilarating and demanding. The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is crucial to achieving your teaching ambitions. The road ahead
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD08YY
Summary
Teaching is a rewarding profession that plays a crucial role in shaping our society's future. However, it comes with its challenges. The workload can be demanding, which might sometimes lead to feelin
Register with us
for a choice of classroom roles
Register today
Recent job