holds game nights focusing on problem solving . “ We encourage our children to communicate their ideas clearly and concisely and understand real-world issues ,” notes Bharathi Rao , Gitanjali ’ s mother . “ We hope we can instill the value of compassion while helping them understand they have the power to create change .”
* Discourage snap decisions . During adolescence , Moss notes , kids struggling to figure out who they are can easily form inaccurate perceptions of their academic weaknesses . Reassure your child one challenging assignment or bad grade need not rule out a future career . “ Kids often make up their minds by sixth grade whether they ’ re capable of doing science and math ,” says Moss . “ We have definitive evidence that by age 6 , girls have already started to internalize negative stereotypes that science and math are not for girls .” In reality , she notes , understanding science and math simply requires more thinking for some people than others ; it ’ s not a skill based on gender .
$ 25,000 . Last year ’ s winner , Gitanjali Rao , developed a device that measures lead levels in drinking water , inspired by the recent water crisis in Flint , Michigan .
* Keep participating . Reducing involvement in your child ’ s daily academics once he or she enters middle school may backfire . One study shows middle schoolers maintain a more positive attitude toward science when their parents continue to display interest . The Rao family , for example , frequently visits museums and
According to State of Science Index findings , 96 percent of U . S . parents want their kids to know more about science . It ’ s critical for us to maintain interest during the middle school years , and according to Moss it ’ s our responsibility to help children see the possibilities .
“ Kids in fifth through eighth grade have a whole lot of empathy and really do want to make the world a better place ,” she says . “ They have the power , but we need to instill confidence and give them the tools and encouragement to pursue STEM .”
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