"Not Just a Waste of Time": Families Exploring STEM Activities in Their Homes

• In Event: 35.079 - Sheraton Roundtable Session Five - Grand Centre
  In Roundtable Session: 35.079-2 - Cross-Sector Strategies for Out-of-School Time Learning

Abstract

This mixed methods study investigates the experiences of families of students who took part in STEM Career Club: Home Edition (SCCHE). Families (N = 42) at three rural, high poverty middle schools participated in SCCHE, receiving all materials necessary to complete up to 4 STEM activities in their homes. Family members generally answered more than 50% of post-activity content questions correct. Neither the ethnicity of family members, nor the level of parents’ education were significant predictors of content question correctness. Parents and their children described developing or re-learning skills and content knowledge, and noted their enjoyment in participating in STEM activities with their families in Out-of-School Time. This study gives insight into translating formal school STEM activities into informal learning settings.

Authors

• Kristie Gutierrez, Old Dominion University

• Margaret R. Blanchard, North Carolina State University