While families play a prominent role in helping their children choose professions, many parents are unaware about opportunities in STEM careers. And few engagement programs are available to help them find out, according to a new paper by the National PTA.
The this week released a white paper, called . The paper is part of an ongoing effort by the PTA on science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, outreach.
For the paper, PTA researchers analyzed research on STEM, as well as programs both in and outside the PTA. Informal interviews were conducted with STEM experts and leaders.
They found that little research is available on methods to engage families in STEM. The programs that do exist often fail to engage families 鈥渂eyond 鈥榮ign-up,鈥� 鈥榩ay for,鈥� 鈥榙rop-off鈥� or 鈥榮tay and watch鈥� experiences,鈥� according to the paper.
With a lack of programs, under-represented youth and girls especially are lacking in exposure to STEM careers. PTA hopes to 鈥渄emystify鈥� STEM for families by creating fun, interactive experience, as well as informing them of opportunities for careers that include two-year degrees and certification programs.
鈥淪TEM jobs in the United States are growing twice as fast as other fields. As a result, the demand for qualified STEM professionals is high, but the supply of qualified STEM workers is low鈥攅specially among under-represented groups like minorities and women,鈥� said Laura Bay, president of National PTA, in a statement. 鈥淭he gap in the STEM pipeline is not a new problem, but intentionally engaging families is an essential new solution.鈥�
The paper is part of the . Last month, the in schools and homes across the country.