“There is a lack of role models, a flat-out lack of exposure, a stereotype bias of what is a technical person. It’s held by parents, it’s held by the media, it’s held by teachers. There’s no social cost to a boy to take computer science in school. Girls have to take the brave step of saying “I love this stuff,” take a class with 90 percent boys, probably a male teacher, overcome the media message, defy their social group. Add on the layer of being a minority, it’s another challenge.”
Source: Ruth Farmer, Chief Strategy & Growth Officer and Director | K-12
Alliance for the National Center for Women and Information Technology
More STEM, please!
To find out how your child's school is teaching STEM subjects—and to encourage the school to make STEM a priority—start by asking these six questions.by: GreatSchools Staff | June 3, 2016
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Everyone’s talking about the importance of STEM education these days. How can you know if your child is getting the learning opportunities they need to succeed in the job market of the future? Talk with your child’s teacher or principal about STEM—science, technology, engineering and math— at your child’s school. Let them know you think STEM education should be a top priority. Here are six questions to start the conversation.
To find out how your child's school is teaching STEM subjects—and to encourage the school to make STEM a priority—start by asking these six questions.by: GreatSchools Staff | June 3, 2016
Print article
Everyone’s talking about the importance of STEM education these days. How can you know if your child is getting the learning opportunities they need to succeed in the job market of the future? Talk with your child’s teacher or principal about STEM—science, technology, engineering and math— at your child’s school. Let them know you think STEM education should be a top priority. Here are six questions to start the conversation.
- How are STEM subjects taught during the school day?
- Are students encouraged to compete in any STEM competitions, such as Science Olympiad? Or Technovation?
- Are there after-school STEM programs?
- Do teachers receive training in teaching STEM subjects? A growing number of resources support teachers to help them cover STEM subjects more effectively. Courses like Connecting Kids to Mathematics and Science give teachers hands-on instruction in integrating math, science, and technology into their lesson plans. The online program e-Mentoring for Student Success matches mentors with teachers and provides resources for improving their effectiveness.
- If your child is in high school, is there a mentorship or internship program that matches interested kids with STEM professionals? Pathways to Science is a resource for STEM internship programs for K–8 and high school students.
- Does the PTA have plans to fund additional STEM programs?
SciGirls is designed to spark girls’ curiosity in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through activities that promote knowledge and discovery. Our program—including the TV show, website and educational outreach—is all about hands-on science inquiry. Participants learn the scientific process, work collaboratively to investigate meaningful questions and see how STEM helps people solve problems, achieve goals and help others.
Georgia Mobile Dairy Classroom
Brought to you by the Dairy Farm Families of Georgia The Mobile Dairy Classroom is a dynamic and fun educational program operated by the Agricultural Commodity Commission for Milk. The 30 ft Mobile Dairy Classroom features a fully operational milking parlor containing a live cow used for milking and feeding demonstrations. The program message is geared to a target audience of elementary school children grades K-5. The goal of the program is to provide children with a better understanding of where milk comes from, how it is processed, the healthy benefits of consuming dairy products and dairy farmers’ management of natural resources. |
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