Science Will Spell Success for Students
Why has learning science become so crucial for your child’s success?
Science and technology, in particular, are the basis for America’s economic growth and national security. The world, and the nation, needs more science graduates than ever. Whether it’s computers or communications, teaching or transportation, manufacturing or medicine, the careers for which your child will compete will require a solid foundation in science. But our children will need stronger science backgrounds. The facts tell the story:
- In comparison with students globally, the average American 12th-grader is near the bottom in science and math performance. (Business-Higher Education Forum, ’05)
- If the current trend continues, by 2010 more than 90 percent of the world’s scientists and engineers will live in Asia. (BRT – Tapping America’s Potential, ’05)
- It is projected that American jobs requiring science, engineering and technical training will increase by 51 percent from 1998 to 2008, four times faster than overall job growth. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, ’05)
We must prepare our children now for these realities in order for them to successfully compete for jobs and for our nation to avoid losing its leadership in innovation.
The best news is that there is plenty that you can do as a parent:
If you are the parent of a high-schooler:
- Make sure your child takes and passes biology and chemistry
- Encourage your child to take physics. It’s good mind training, and it will strengthen their transcript.
- Stay on top of your child’s homework, and make sure he or she keeps up with assignments. In sciences with lab work, it’s more difficult to make up missed assignments.
If you are the parent of a middle-schooler:
- Make certain that your child takes middle school lab science courses to prepare for high school biology, chemistry and physics.
- Meet often with your child’s teacher, and be sure to discuss how your child is doing in science courses.
If you are the parent of a grade-schooler:
- Have fun with science at home. Help your child root a plant. Put a thermometer outside a window and talk about changing temperatures. Do safe “experiments” with your child such as trying to float different materials in water.
- Take walks where you and your child can look at plants, insects, rocks, and other parts of nature.
- Meet regularly with your child’s teacher. Talk about his or her progress in science and how you can help.
Be sure that your child has a firm footing in science. It is a basic element of his or her future success!
Would you like to learn more? Visit the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education web site.