How can Latino parents interest their children in STEM? Here are a few suggestions from Jean Rockford Aguilar-Valdez, a doctoral student studying equity in science education and a former science teacher. Read this post in its entirety here.
- Introduce children (and yourself) to Latino role models in STEM, and emphasize that it isn’t just old white males (usually with crazy hair and a lab coat) who are making a difference in STEM.
- Connect the knowledge shared in the family in cooking, farming, home repair, car repair, health, nutrition, etc. to the “bigger picture” of science, technology, and medicine.
- You (and your kids) are smart enough. You cannot repeat this enough.
- Combat deficit thinking when you hear it. “Math is too hard,” “Only geeks do that,” “That stuff’s only for boys,” “Stop asking so many questions,” are things I heard growing up, and things children even now contend with that steers them away from science and math.
- English does not own science and math. Science and math are universal and go beyond one particular language.
- Realize that those who hold the power in STEM (usually white males) would be all too happy to keep that power to themselves. The power is economic, social, and political. Getting into STEM becomes not just a path for those that have a “knack” for it: it’s is a political act.
To read the rest of Rockford’s essay click here.
[Image Via Sean MacEntee]
Sara Inés Calderón is a journalist and writer who lives between Texas and California. Follow her on Twitter @SaraChicaD.
