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
£115 - 130 per day
Location free text
Torquay
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Secondary
Location
Torquay
Description
Due to the demand of our Torquay and Paignton secondary schools, Teaching Personnel is recruiting unqualified Teachers/ cover supervisors to cover on a supply basis.The schools: The secondary schools
Reference
TPP/JB/97311
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Plymouth BranchAuthor
Plymouth BranchSalary
£83.33 - 100.00 per day
Location free text
Leyland
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Leyland
Description
Position: Cover SupervisorLocation: Leyland (PR25), Lancashire.Start Date: 3rd June 2024Contract: Full-time We are looking to appoint an individual who is keen to build upon their education-based expe
Reference
PR2557893475AM
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire SecondaryAuthor
Lancashire SecondarySalary
£100 - 200 per day
Location free text
Braintree
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Maths
Location
Braintree
Description
Maths Teacher - The school are flexible with the start date for the right candidate. Are you a dedicated and passionate Maths Teacher ready to inspire and engage students in the world of mathematics?
Reference
JCMATM1
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Essex Secondary & SENAuthor
Essex Secondary & SENSalary
£80 - 180 per day
Location free text
Braintree
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
English
Location
Braintree
Description
Looking for a Full-Time English Teacher Open to Flexible starting time - Either ASAP or September 2024 Are you a passionate and creative educator with a love for literature and language? We are seeki
Reference
JCETMAT1
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Essex Secondary & SENAuthor
Essex Secondary & SENSalary
£3,079.60 - 4,239.20 per month
Location free text
Sidmouth
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Physical Education
Location
Devon
Description
Teaching Personnel are looking for a dedicated PE teacher to join one of our brilliant schools in the Sidmouth area. The ideal applicant is someone who is willing to play a pivotal role in shaping the
Reference
JDPESID1
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Exeter Secondary & SENAuthor
Exeter Secondary & SENSalary
£120 - 200 per day
Location free text
Solihull
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Modern foreign languages
Location
Solihull
Description
MFL Teacher DO YOU HAVE A GENUINE PASSION FOR CULTURES, LANGUAGES AND EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION?Job Duties: Plan, prepare and deliver engaging and effective MFL lessons in Spanish, German and
Reference
MFL Teacher B37
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Birmingham SecondaryAuthor
Birmingham SecondarySalary
£20 - 25 per hour
Location free text
Kensington & Chelsea
Job Type
Part Time
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Secondary
Location
Kensington and Chelsea
Description
Job Title: KS3/4 Tutor Location: England, Greater London, Kensington & ChelseaJob Type: Temporary, Part-TimeSalary: £20 - £25 Per hourJob Description: As a KS3/4 Tutor based in Kensington & Chelsea,
Reference
GP280324KC
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£140 - 170 per day
Location free text
Scarborough
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Secondary
Location
Scarborough
Description
Teaching Personnel Seeks Experienced Educators in ScarboroughRole: Supply Teachers - ExperiencedLocation: Scarborough, United KingdomAbout Us: Teaching Personnel is a premier education recruitment age
Reference
SupplyScarb2803
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£400 - 500 per week
Location free text
Gorton
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £500 per week
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Greater Manchester
Description
Are you passionate about supporting students with special educational needs to reach their full potential? Teaching Personnel are seeking dedicated SEN Teaching Assistants to work closely with childre
Reference
54
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester East SecondaryAuthor
Manchester East SecondarySalary
£80 - 150 per day
Location free text
Ilkeston
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Other
Location
Derbyshire
Description
Teaching Personnel are looking for dedicated and reliable individuals to join our team as Exam Invigilators for the upcoming secondary school examinations.As an Exam Invigilator, you will play a cruci
Reference
Exam Invigilator
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Related 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 work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job