5 ways to help families foster STEM learning

STEM education helps kids build skills like critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. But STEM activities don’t just belong in the classroom. When kids work with STEM content at home, they can develop these skills even further. Plus, they can understand how STEM applies to everyday life.

As an educator, you can help families encourage and engage in STEM learning at home. And by partnering with families, you can provide consistent support for students who learn and think differently. Use these tips to get started. 

1. Share STEM resources with families. 

You probably already share classroom information with families through email, a newsletter, or a website. Consider creating a special section for STEM news.

Share information about STEM projects that you’re doing in the classroom. Add discussion questions and extra resources that families can use at home. If you’re using a digital platform, make sure you can share documents that families can download. Have printed versions available for them, too. 

2. Host STEM workshops.

Host in-person or virtual STEM workshops to build strong partnerships with families. Talk about the content you’re teaching in the classroom and have families engage in some of the activities. Address any questions and misconceptions families might have. 

Give families practical tips for building STEM skills at home. And share the strategies you use to help all students access STEM content. 

3. Make learning goals clear.

As educators, we often map out our content using a curriculum pacing guide. Create a simplified version of this pacing guide to share with families. Make sure that students and families understand the learning goals you’ve set.

Be sure that families have the information they need to support their students at each step of their learning journey. The first two tips above can help with that. 

4. Use choice boards.

Choice boards can be a fun homework or afterschool activity to encourage STEM practice at home. Explain choice boards to families and encourage them to have students use them. Make sure that any materials needed are basic household items. Or have students take home materials from the classroom. 

The activities can include multisensory approaches like storytelling, creating models, or acting out a concept. Here are a few ideas: 

• Create a video to share a solution to a common household problem

• Write a short story about a STEM topic 

• Make a simple invention out of household materials 

Try designing boards for students using a tool like this choice board generator. 

5. Create STEM kits to use at home.

Extend STEM learning by creating toolkits for students to use at home with their families. Fill the kits with items that allow exploration of in-class topics. Make sure to include materials for engineering challenges. Above all, the kits should be fun for kids and families.

You can create these kits from scratch or find premade kits from organizations like STEMChests. You can also partner with organizations that distribute STEM kits as part of their outreach, like the Civil Air Patrol STEM Kit Program. 

Partnering with families is a great way to deepen student engagement in STEM. Explore more resources about family engagement: 

• Learn what research says about family engagement and student success. 

• Get tips for building relationships with families.

• Share this podcast episode about STEM learning at home with your students’ families.