3M: Post-it Brand Unveils New Study Emphasizing the Importance of STEM Education in the United States
Tuesday, Aug 04, 2020
The academic pillars of Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics, which are referred to as STEM, infiltrate every aspect of
our lives and reflect a whole new way of living — from TVs to GPS
systems and smartphones. Today, Post-it Brand from 3M revealed results
from a survey1 commissioned by the brand that sheds light on the value
of STEM education in the United States, thus furthering the conversation
around the need for student proficiency in these subjects. According to
the study, parents of students ages 13 – 18 believe math and science
are the subjects that will prepare students the most for the job market.
However, nearly 70 percent of those parents surveyed admit they are not
as prepared as they could be and state they frequently struggle to help
their students with STEM-related homework.
“Parents play a
powerful role in exposing kids to STEM at an early age– first by
inciting their interest and next by arming them to develop the skill set
needed to excel in these areas,” said Dr. Michele Borba, parenting and
education expert. “Obstacles surrounding STEM education such as the lack
of understanding, intimidation and complex subject matter need to be
addressed so that parents can empower students and give them the edge
they need to succeed.”
The study also revealed that while parents
want to get involved with their students’ homework, there are
challenges that exist today that weren’t present several years ago.
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Then and Now: Nearly 80 percent of parents believe homework is
harder now than when they were in school
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“Big Bang” Barriers: Parents feel they are struggling because
the homework is too complicated (38 percent), they’re not good at math
and science (29 percent) and students don’t want their help (28
percent)
“STEM education opens the door to endless
opportunities, from academic achievements to a student’s future career
trajectory,” said Kate Semersky, a global business manager for Post-it
Brand. “Post-it Brand continues to create tools and solutions that
provide support in STEM subjects. In fact, on Post-it.com we have
created a robust selection of articles and activities for parents,
teachers and students to further facilitate advancement in STEM
learning.”
In addition to the findings from the recent Post-it
Brand study, Dr. Borba notes that parents need to start early when it
comes to introducing students to STEM. “Research shows that by the early
teen years interest in STEM subjects begins to dwindle. Parents need to
be adamant about encouraging students and reinforcing a positive
message when it comes to STEM subjects,” Borba states. ”Understanding
your teen’s learning style and being able to adapt study techniques that
resonate with students is essential.”
Dr. Borba provides the following tips to help parents address STEM subjects:
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Picture This: More than 85 percent of parents think the best
way for their students to learn STEM subjects is through visual
learning, like reading or seeing pictures. Post-it Brand products are
uniquely designed to help students break down complex problems and
find solutions to those problems
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Quiz Me: Use memory games and DIY tools such as flashcards and
written study guides to help with STEM subjects at home
-
Enlist Help: Research after school help in your area or find an
older student peer tutor to connect like-minded students
About 3MAt 3M, we apply science in
collaborative ways to improve lives daily. With $32 billion in sales,
our 90,000 employees connect with customers all around the world.
For more information please visit : http://www.3m.com
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