How to Support a Child Interested in STEM |
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Emotional support has physiological and emotional benefits and can be provided with limited STEM knowledge.
Showing up, listening, reaching out, and making an effort goes a long way in helping women succeed in STEM.
Parental advice that is clear, relevant to a child's interests, and concrete was appreciated by STEM majors.
Research study after research study shows the importance of parent and family support for sparking kids’ interests in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and then helping them stay interested and succeed in STEM as they grow. But how exactly do parents provide helpful support?
A recent study from my team of researchers at Michigan State University (Dorrance Hall et al., 2025) reports on how parents support girls pursuing STEM and women majoring in STEM in college. We interviewed Black, Latina, and white women majoring in STEM across the United States and asked them about the STEM-related support they received while growing up. The findings identify five ways parents can provide much-needed support throughout childhood and adolescence.
Advice, or instrumental support, was the most commonly reported type of support received from parents. Parental advice was useful for navigating important decisions like choosing a major and career path. Parents suggested majors and careers, told girls how to apply for college, provided study tips, and shared job and internship postings. Women appreciated advice that was clear, relevant to their interests, and concrete as opposed to general. They disliked advice that focused on what the........