STEAM fields (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) offer many worthwhile and lucrative career possibilities, which is why parents hope to ignite an interest in their daughters early on. However, you need to be strategic in the way you go about it—seeking to cultivate, rather than deter them from, their own passions. The following guide offers tips for helping them organically discover and learn to love STEAM enrichment programs.

Do:

Walk the walk.

Make sure she sees the ways you incorporate STEAM in your daily life—perhaps by having her help figure out the tip for the restaurant server or by letting her measure out the ingredients for cookies. When something breaks—like a pen—take it apart together to see if you can figure out a way to fix it.

Enroll her in a school that promotes STEAM.

You can also keep your child actively involved in these topics by enrolling her in a school or after-school program that focuses on STEAM education. These enrichment programs are designed to introduce numerous fields and create a positive learning experience where your child has access to mentors and resources.

Don’t:

Stereotype.

Many girls avoid STEAM because the fields are always introduced as places where men excel. Whether it is reading her books about female astronauts or taking her to a museum featuring female scientists or artists, show her how women have shaped the world with their intelligence and hard work—reminding them that they, too, can break the stereotypes.

Put limits on creativity.

Whether it’s creating art or programming a website, always promote creativity—as it is the basis of innovation. While there is a time and place for following pre-set standards, taking the “fun” out of the subject may cause your child to lose interest. 

If you’re ready to get your child involved in STEAM enrichment programs, Palm Academy of Fremont, CA, has a number of opportunities to offer. Since 2006, they’ve helped students ranging from pre-school age to high school discover academic passions in all fields through highly focused teaching. Explore their summer, after-school, and other enrichment programs on their website. Call (510) 979-9794 to speak with a representative.