Being a mom is a superpower in itself, but when it comes to nurturing the next generation of innovators, the power of moms takes on a whole new dimension. From sparking curiosity with everyday science experiments at home to modeling the way they use science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills in their daily lives, moms are often the unsung heroes who lay the crucial groundwork for their children's future success in STEM. With Mother’s Day coming up, NGCP is taking a moment to celebrate all the incredible moms who are STEM champions for their children each and every day – thank you for all that you do!
Whether moms are working in a STEM field or not, they are uniquely positioned to be incredibly powerful STEM role models for their children. Research consistently highlights the significant impact parents have on girls pursuing STEM (learn more here). By providing encouragement, acting as role models, challenging stereotypes, and fostering a love for exploration and problem-solving, moms are empowering their children to become the next generation of STEM leaders simply through their everyday interactions together.
In honor of Mother’s Day, we are recognizing four important ways that moms are actively sparking their children’s curiosity and long-term interest in STEM:
Countering STEM Stereotypes at Home – Beginning at an early age, stereotypes have the power to influence children’s interest, confidence, and identification with STEM. Researchers have found that by age six, girls have developed gendered beliefs about intelligence and that that stereotypes about girls’ interest in STEM fields like computer science and engineering are formed as early as age 6. Moms help counter these stereotypes at home by taking the time to talk to children about stereotypes that arise in play or other situations. Moms also broaden their children’s stereotyped views by thoughtfully curating books, media, and real-world examples. Learn more about countering STEM stereotypes here.
Celebrating the Learning Process (Not Just the Big Successes) – Everyone notices a toddler’s finished drawing up on the fridge, a teen’s trophy on the mantle, and that “A+” report card that is sent to grandparents and extended family. This type of recognition is wonderful, but another powerful way that moms encourage their children in STEM daily (that others may not see) is by recognizing is the hard work, failures, and mistakes that happen along the way to these big successes. These mistakes are just as valuable in terms of learning and growth – especially when it comes to STEM. Creating a home environment that values perseverance and learning from mistakes can help children develop a resilience that is essential for tackling the challenges often associated with STEM fields. In practice, this means celebrating your child’s learning process not just their final outcomes. Moms do this every day by recognizing and celebrating their child’s rough drafts, their iterated designs, and their ideas (even the failed ones!) with as much enthusiasm and pride as their final successes.
Carefully Choosing Toys to Inspire and Engage – Children’s toys have a long history of being gendered in the way they are packaged, marketed, and offered to young children, and STEM toys are no exception. STEM products have been heavily marketed to boys over the years, and research has shown that parents still more frequently encourage sons to do STEM activities, including using STEM-themed toys, than daughters. This may subtly reinforce stereotypes about who can pursue STEM, and girls may also be missing out on important early learning experiences. Moms today are actively countering this by consciously choosing toys for their daughters that encourage building, tinkering, spatial reasoning, coding, and experimentation. Check out this NGCP resource on choosing toys to break STEM stereotypes to learn more.
Actively Participating in STEM Fun! – It is so easy for adults to get caught up in the logistics of raising and educating kids that sometimes they miss the simple joy of just playing alongside them. Engaging in STEM play together offers a valuable opportunity for moms (and all caregivers) to connect, learn, and explore STEM alongside their children. This Mother’s Day, we recognize all the moms who are not just providing STEM toys and experiences but also joining the fun by actively participating in their children’s play! In practice, this means simple interactions like sitting down next to your child who is engineering a structure out of blocks or LEGO, and asking open-ended questions like, "What if we tried to make it taller?" or "How can we make this part stronger?" By doing this, moms show their engagement with their child’s play, model problem-solving skills, and demonstrate their own enjoyment of science and engineering in the process.
This Mother’s Day, as we celebrate the incredible power of moms, let us recognize the profound and often understated influence they wield in shaping future innovators. By nurturing curiosity, encouraging exploration, and actively participating in their children's learning journeys, mothers are not just raising kids; they are cultivating the brilliant minds that will drive tomorrow's discoveries and create a better world for us all. Let us empower and support moms in this vital role, beginning with acknowledging their everyday contributions to uplifting and inspiring the next generation.
Happy Mother’s Day!
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Amanda Sullivan
Senior Researcher (she/her)