Parents
STEM Resources for Parents
STEM Resources for Parents
As parents, we want the best for our children. We want them to be happy, healthy, and successful in life – whatever “success” means for them. We hope our kids will appreciate the wonders of the world and be informed and involved citizens. We, as parents, can influence our hopes for them by encouraging their education. Well-rounded, enthusiastic, lifelong learners, right? Our desire is that they are prepared for college and careers, and will be good decision makers with regards to the choices they will make during their lifetimes.
Parenting: a daunting task indeed.
Here we list resources to encourage education and involvement in the STEM fields. The resources are listed in alphabetical order.
Hands-on activities for quick and fun things to do: STEM, crafts, coding, cooking, nature, and holiday topics. Sign up for their newsletter.
Educational programs, tours, the “Out-Loud” lecture series; Argonne is a local, world renowned research facility.
Many think that STEM should have an Arts component, thus STEAM! Check out their programs.
The Artificial Intelligence Family Challenge and more programs to encourage curiosity, creativity, and perseverance.
Connect with nature in our treasured county forest preserves. You can read stories in the blog Nature’s Storytellers, or connect to our local natural preserves.
A network of European Ministries of Education, its goal is to innovate in teaching and learning with learners, educators, researchers, and industry.
The STEM Aviation and Space Education program of the FAA aims to inspire, educate and prepare the next generation of aviation and aerospace professionals. Summer programs, videos, and career information
Keep up with the latest news and information on public events at our world famous, neighboring, national research lab.
A variety of out-of-school STEM enrichment programs, created with encouragement, fun and inquiry-based experiences in mind.
The International Society for Technology in Education has developed educational standards. Help your child thrive in a rapidly changing technological world.
A definition of STEM, with justification for the movement, info on STEM in K-12 education, interactive opportunities for kids, and extracurricular programs.
Blog dedicated to helping parents raise STEM-loving, “Maker-friendly” kids. Gifted education and STEM for girls included.
Curiosity Kits for home use, and Discovery Packs available at Chicago Public Libraries
Their compelling main page leads you to mission information, galleries, podcasts, and more.
Science Fair help, activities in and out of your home, and a summer science camp directory
For those seeking and promoting STEM careers
National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE) promotes equity in educational opportunities and career choices.
If you can’t visit in person—or to prepare for a future visit—view their webcam broadcasts, on-line tours, kids’ activities, and citizen science opportunities.
Recommended resources from their K-12 Outreach Office
From Stanford University Grad School of Education; their site aims to promote math as fun and challenging. Resources to inform and encourage!
Citizen Science
People have acted as scientists on their own for millennia. Whether making bird observations in one’s own yard or testing different farming techniques from year to year, we’re all scientists in some way. Perhaps you’ve engineered a solution to fix a broken toilet, or your daughter has fiddled with a toy in a manner that could be considered engineering. Well, Citizen Science is an opportunity for you and your kids to take part in actual scientific investigation, while having some family time. You will all learn content and scientific practices and you’ll actually help collect data for projects already in place. An added bonus is that some of these projects will get you all outside enjoying nature.
See more Citizen Science ideas at the bottom of the Student Things to Do page.
Check out your school or local library for books on Citizen Science projects.