Encouraging science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills

By showing your child that you have a positive attitude to STEM and you see the great possibilities it presents, you can have an impact on how your child feels.

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The way that STEM subjects are taught may have changed over the years, but families are still able to support children of all ages engage in STEM related experiences.

Ways you can help your child engage with STEM

Investigate and ask questions about the real world

You can do this by asking open-ended questions, such as:

  • Can you describe...?
  • I wonder what would happen if...?
  • How would you answer that question...?
  • What if...?

Learn more about STEM from your school

Talk to your child's school and ask how children can learn about STEM. Some schools let families volunteer for classroom activities and excursions.

Alternatively, ask your school for examples of STEM activities that you can do at home with your child.

For younger children, this could include:

  • playing games to identify different shapes, numbers and patterns
  • singing songs and nursery rhymes about numbers and playing with building blocks.

For older children, this could include:

  • using a digital device to make a movie with special effects
  • learning cooking skills
  • encouraging the use of apps and computer games that are STEM-related.

For children at secondary school, you could:

  • ask your child's school about STEM subjects and extra-curricular activities that may have a STEM focus
  • encourage young people to talk to their teachers or career advisers about pathways that lead to STEM careers.

STEM websites and places to visit

  • Museums Victoria(opens in a new window) cares for the state's scientific and cultural collections. Museums Victoria includes Melbourne Museum and Scienceworks, These museums provide stimulating exhibits and activities to help families maximise their STEM experience.
  • Zoos Victoria(opens in a new window) provides families with the opportunity to discover a range of wildlife and learn about conservation.
  • Cosmos(opens in a new window) is a science magazine published in Australia. Its accompanying website has the latest science news, discoveries, developments and events.
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