SPOTLIGHTS

BIMONTHLY FAMILY ENGAGEMENT RESOURCES
February-March 2023

Resources for Parents

STEM + Families: National PTA’s STEM Initiative   

National PTA

"We want to foster passion for science, technology, engineering, and math through fun activities and by involving families in these experiences together." Find resources linked from this page to engage families in STEM activities at home and at school.

Family Engagement Through STEAM Workshops in Chicago  

Turning the Page

"Parents discussed STEAM basics, starting with the acronym’s definition – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. Parents learned how they can be more confident in talking about these often complex subjects in simple ways. We also experimented with science projects that can be easily recreated with household items." Links to projects and resources are included on the webpage.

Resources for Schools

STEM Family Engagement: A Planning Tool  

Institute for the Study of Resilience in Youth (ISRY) at McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School & STEM Next Opportunity Fund

"Families play an essential role in their children’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.…This Planning Tool is designed to increase the capacity of out-of-school time (OST) STEM providers to engage families in equitable and effective ways, building upon the promising practices," but it could also be used by school staff or other groups.

Community Math Night Facilitators' Toolkit 

K. Friedman, L. Kassner, C. Araoz, & K. Dempsey for IES

"Community Math Nights use interactive math activities to engage families in building positive math attitudes, facilitate their participation in children’s learning in grades K–5, and build a community of educators, students, families, and other caring adults." This toolkit is a detailed resource to plan and implement a math night.

School Community Journal

Parent Involvement in the Science Fair: Helping Students or Hindering Equity?

Erica Fields, Jackie DeLisi, Janna Kook, Lukas Winfield, and Abigail Jurist Levy

“This article describes the results of research that explored the role of parents in middle school science fairs. Findings show that parents’ income and education affected their level and type of involvement, as did certain features of the science fair itself. Our findings have important implications for the structures of and equity in school-based science fairs.”

Review of Promising Practices for Engaging Families in STEM Learning 

Laura Teichert

According to this book review: “This book, Promising Practices for Engaging Families in STEM Learning, edited by Margaret Caspe, Taniesha A. Woods, and Joy Kennedy, attempts to fill a gap in the literature by highlighting STEM programs and frameworks that empower families to connect and engage in their children’s education.”

CONTACT US

For questions or to request additional information, fill out the email form. You may also contact Bernadette Anderson directly at 618-874-8150.

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