'Hands-on' poster design
Family attitudes and beliefs have a significant impact on girls’ choice to enrol in STEM subjects and pursue STEM pathways. A recent study found that two in three girls in the Asia–Pacific region say parents are most influential upon their decision to study STEM (Mastercard, 2016).
By engaging with families directly, and encouraging them to support girls’ STEM passions, you can support girls to engage more confidently with STEM.
It’s important to affirm to all families that they do not need to be STEM professionals to play an essential role in their children’s STEM learning. Families’ critical role is to help students feel affirmed in their STEM pursuits, and that STEM learning has value to the family.
It can be especially difficult for families who aren’t ‘tech-savvy’ or who have limited experience with computer searches to find family-focused STEM opportunities (STEMNext, 2017). Schools can help bridge this gap by making it easier for them to learn about and access STEM opportunities. The Girls in STEM Toolkit Families page provides a range of ideas for families to support their daughters' engagement with STEM.
Consider activities and events as ways to start a STEM conversation with families, challenge stereotypes and create a positive STEM environment for girls. Use the following resources as subject selection or standalone events to educate families about the current STEM environment and opportunities for girls and women.
This presentation is for schools and teachers to be able to use for families, to bust some of the classic myths about STEM.
STEM alerts: Share community STEM events via newsletters and other communications. Recognise that some families might not have the resources to prepare their students for certain opportunities (for example, portfolio-based applications) and offer coaching or other support as required.
Hands-on STEM: Run a STEM event that requires families to work alongside their children to complete a project or challenge.
Family after-school clubs: Invite families to attend after-school STEM clubs and learn alongside their children.
Reading challenge: For younger students, have families support them to complete a STEM reading challenge. A book list is provided that features women and girls in STEM.
Movie challenge: Issue a STEM-themed movie challenge for families to watch one STEM-themed movie a week for a set month. Encourage families to select films that feature strong female leads and women playing an active role in STEM, for example Hidden Figures.