Dive Brief:

• At the U.S. STEM Solutions conference Monday, STEM nonprofit leaders discussed strategies for getting parents involved in their student’s science and math education.
• The experts said that parental involvement at every level, from making sure their student has transportation to opportunities to given them hands-on academic support, is crucial to students’ success.
• They offered tips for encouraging parental engagement, such as finding ways to make STEM accessible across generational divides and getting parents to recruit other parents to get involved.

Dive Insight:

The panel discussion also touched on how to overcome parents’ own insecurities around STEM, especially in low-income and minority communities, who are traditionally underrepresented in STEM. Finding ways for parents to learn alongside their students and be aware of gender and racial bias can help the adults and the kids.

"Let caregivers know they don't need to have an advanced degree in science or math to contribute to their children's education. Meet people where they are," said Arva Rice, the president of the New York Urban League.

Speaking to parents as if they are partners and equals also helps.

"You can't take a bunch of parents and lecture them," David Valladolid, CEO of Parent Institute for Quality Education, said. "You have to value what parents are contributing."