TY - JOUR
T1 - Parental Perceptions of STEM Enrichment for Young Children
AU - Tay, Juliana
AU - Salazar, Alissa
AU - Lee, Hyeseong
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2017, © The Author(s) 2017.
PY - 2018/3/1
Y1 - 2018/3/1
N2 - Most pre-kindergarten (pre-K) and kindergarten curricula are challenging and engaging, but few are strongly grounded in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. In this study, the authors examined parental perception (N = 55) of the influences of a Saturday STEM enrichment program in one university center on pre-K and kindergarten students and their attitudes toward STEM learning. Using survey data collected from 2013 to 2016, the authors studied parental comments about benefits, drawbacks, and memorable moments they observed from their children’s experiences during the program. These comments were analyzed qualitatively using NVivo, and three main themes were developed. The themes were children’s reactions to STEM learning, meeting the needs of young gifted learners, and learning beyond the classroom. These themes reinforced current literature in the field showing young children’s need for STEM education. Sadly, few opportunities for STEM-focused programming for young children exist.
AB - Most pre-kindergarten (pre-K) and kindergarten curricula are challenging and engaging, but few are strongly grounded in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. In this study, the authors examined parental perception (N = 55) of the influences of a Saturday STEM enrichment program in one university center on pre-K and kindergarten students and their attitudes toward STEM learning. Using survey data collected from 2013 to 2016, the authors studied parental comments about benefits, drawbacks, and memorable moments they observed from their children’s experiences during the program. These comments were analyzed qualitatively using NVivo, and three main themes were developed. The themes were children’s reactions to STEM learning, meeting the needs of young gifted learners, and learning beyond the classroom. These themes reinforced current literature in the field showing young children’s need for STEM education. Sadly, few opportunities for STEM-focused programming for young children exist.
KW - STEM
KW - early childhood
KW - elementary education
KW - enrichment program
KW - gifted children
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85046824921&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0162353217745159
DO - 10.1177/0162353217745159
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85046824921
SN - 0162-3532
VL - 41
SP - 5
EP - 23
JO - Journal for the Education of the Gifted
JF - Journal for the Education of the Gifted
IS - 1
ER -