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
Market related
Location free text
Northampton
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Geography
Location
Northampton
Description
re you a recent graduate eager to launch your career? Have you ever thought about entering the field of education?Teaching Personnel is collaborating with a premier teacher training provider in Northa
Reference
JHUT4
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Permanent StaffingAuthor
Permanent StaffingSalary
£30,000 - 46,525 per year
Location free text
Winchester
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
Sector
Maths
Location
Hampshire
Description
Mathematics Teacher at a Secondary School in Winchester About the School: Join our esteemed team at a Winchester school known for its 'Good' Ofsted rating with Outstanding features and highly respecta
Reference
MathsKings29
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire SecondaryAuthor
Hampshire SecondarySalary
£30,000 - 46,525 per year
Location free text
Winchester
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
Sector
Science
Location
Hampshire
Description
Science Teacher at a Secondary School in Winchester About the School: Join our esteemed team at a Winchester school known for its 'Good' Ofsted rating with outstanding features and highly respectable
Reference
SciKings29
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire SecondaryAuthor
Hampshire SecondarySalary
£30,000 - 46,525 per year
Location free text
Redcar
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
Sector
Physical Education
Location
Redcar and Cleveland
Description
PE TeacherA fantastic opportunity has become available for an experienced PE teacher in the Redcar area, this particular role will involve working with students across KS3 and KS4 on a Full-Time basis
Reference
mmca343222
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees SecondaryAuthor
Tyne Tees SecondarySalary
£30,000 - 46,525 per year + CPD Training
Location free text
Darlington
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
Sector
Music
Location
Darlington
Description
Are you a Music teacher looking for a full-time role from September 2024? If so, continue reading for more detail!Teaching Personnel are currently recruiting on behalf of our client school in Darlingt
Reference
MMCA22345
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees SecondaryAuthor
Tyne Tees SecondarySalary
£110 - 130 per day
Location free text
Odiham
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Hampshire
Description
Join Our Team as a Cover Supervisor in a Secondary School in the Hook areaAre you passionate about education and looking for flexible work opportunities? Teaching Personnel is seeking dynamic individu
Reference
CovSupRobert29
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire SecondaryAuthor
Hampshire SecondarySalary
£100 - 200 per day
Location free text
Coventry
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Physical Education
Location
Coventry
Description
PE Teacher Teaching Personnel are looking for highly motivated and professional individuals who are passionate about sport and delivering PE to secondary school classes. Pay rate: £100-200 a day - *
Reference
PE Teacher CV6
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Birmingham SecondaryAuthor
Birmingham SecondarySalary
£28k - 35k per year
Location free text
Hyde
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£20,000 - £29,999
£30,000 - £39,999
Sector
Teacher
Location
Greater Manchester
Description
Are you seeking a permanent SEMH teaching position?The PWR team are working with a Manchester based Trust who are actively seeking an SEMH teacher on a permanent basis for their SEN schools in Hyde. T
Reference
SKFS001
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Permanent StaffingAuthor
Permanent StaffingSalary
£20k - 24k per year
Location free text
Fareham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£20,000 - £29,999
Sector
Secondary
Location
Fareham
Description
Explore Your Teaching Journey with Teaching Personnel's Future Teachers Programme in FarehamAre you a graduate with a passion for education, eager to explore the world of teaching? Teaching Personnel
Reference
25252
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
South Coast SecondaryAuthor
South Coast SecondarySalary
£85 - 100 per day
Location free text
Boston
Job Type
Part Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Boston
Description
Shape Tomorrow’s Minds: Become a Cover Supervisor in Sleaford! Teaching Personnel, a leader in educational staffing, is currently looking for proactive and passionate Cover Supervisors to join our vi
Reference
CoverBost
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Related posts
Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
The teacher recruitment crisis is a priority for school leaders across the country. In the 2021–22 academic year, 4000 teachers retired, and 9% of the teaching workforce resigned, marking the highes
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
Register with us
for work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job