Parents and STEM Professionals have a lot to do with how students perceive and understand #WhatEngineersDo! DiscoverE, a not for profit coalition dedicated to providing every K-12 student with a shared STEM experience, conducted a year-long research project to find out what today’s teens and their parents think about engineering. This research delves into what today’s teens and their parents think about engineering including
- How they view engineering and a potential career in STEM
- What resonates and motivates them to consider engineering
This new Messages Matter Research Report is now available and demonstrates that:
- Students most interested in engineering look like the current demographic of engineers, but research shows that targeted messages and profiles of engineers who look like them doing things that they are interested in can spur interest in engineering among the very groups that will ensure a more diverse future for the field
- While engineering has a “concrete” image and gender divide (24% of males and 11% of females are very interested in the field), when we use appealing messages alongside engineering profiles that reflect a student’s gender or racial affinity we can increase their interest in engineering
Parents have a positive view of engineering (58% say it’s a very good career choice). They are their child’s most trusted advisor, though role models who work in a field a student is considering are tied for third place alongside close friends. Parents can be allies in encouraging their child to consider engineering.
Visit DiscoverE.org/Messages-Matter where you can download the Executive Summary and full report and gain insights into students and their parents’ views on engineering, career influencers and aspirations, along with considerations you can use when developing targeted communications. If you are a STEM educator or outreach volunteer, be sure to check out and leverage the top-rated messages, engineering profiles, and social media graphics for your own efforts in recruiting and engaging with students, parents, and other volunteers!
DiscoverE works to provide every K-12 student with a shared STEM experience and the resources, programs, and connections to improve the understanding of engineering through a united voice and a global distribution network. They are the backbone organization behind events such as Engineers Week™, Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day™, and the Future City Competition™. Be sure to check out some of the great resources and activities they provide such as engaging videos, lesson plans, games, and more!