ERIC Number: EJ1188035
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 25
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1087-3430
EISSN: N/A
Family Learning Opportunities in Engineering and Science
Gunning, Amanda M.; Marrero, Meghan E.; Morell, Zoila
Electronic Journal of Science Education, v20 n7 p1-25 2016
Students who are of low socio-economic status or English language learners do not have the same opportunities to learn science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). These students are the future citizenry and need the tools a good STEM education can provide to, not only make decisions for themselves and their families, but for their communities and our world. Our study in the United States examined how working with English- and Spanish-speaking kindergarteners and their parents in science and engineering sessions provided the opportunity for these low-income families to do science and engineering activities together. We found the experiences helped students learn more about science, scientific practices, and developed science self-efficacy in parents, who changed the way they talked about everyday science with their children. The model of educating children and parents together, using their home languages, to promote STEM learning, builds upon the important work in this field.
Descriptors: STEM Education, Low Income Groups, English Language Learners, At Risk Students, Spanish Speaking, Kindergarten, Parents, Preschool Children, Family Programs, Program Effectiveness, Family Environment, Language Usage, Parent Participation, Self Efficacy
Southwestern University and Texas Christian University. TCU Box 297900, Fort Worth, TX 76129. Tel: 817-257-6115; e-mail: ejse@southwestern.edu; Web site: http://ejse.southwestern.edu
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Kindergarten
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A