Impact of Participating in a Family Science Night Event on Adults' Perceptions of Children

• In Event: 72.066 - Poster Session 16
  In Poster Session: 72.066-9 - Surrounded by Science: Informal Learning in Museums, Media, and After-School and Everyday Contexts

Abstract

The goal of this research is to examine the impact that participating in a school STEM-focused activity, specifically a family science night, had on adults’ beliefs about children’s abilities. During the family science night, adults and students jointly engaged in a variety of STEM activities. Results revealed that adults, 90% of whom were parents of attending students, reported learning more about children’s interests and abilities in STEM. Students also agreed that that the adults had learned more about their abilities and interests. Personal characteristics of adults and children, such as gender, ethnicity, etc, were not found to have any impact on ratings.

Authors

• Karen L. Yanowitz, Arkansas State University

• Debbie L. Hahs-Vaughn, University of Central Florida