Guidance for supporting your child in a STEM education and career.
After helping thousands of students nurture their interest in STEM through programs like GEMS, eCYBERMISSION, and JSHS and launch STEM careers through our paid internships and fellowships, we know what helps someone start and sustain a stable, satisfying career in the sciences. On this page, we want to share that with parents and guardians who have questions about how they can best help their child succeed in STEM.
You can always support your student by checking Army STEM for new opportunities. The level of support your student will need depends on their grade level and the program. Take a look at how you can support your student at different points of their journey with Army STEM.
Encourage an interest in STEM by signing them up for the Army STEM GEMS program. If there are no camps near you, explore other local STEM programs through schools, library, or community partners to help them learn more.
If your student is participating in an Army STEM program you can provide support by:
Help your student discover STEM programs that fit their interests. Explore the GEMS camp options (including virtual camp) together or consider helping them form a team to compete in eCYBERMISSION. This is a great time to experiment with different STEM areas to see what clicks for them.
If your student is participating in an Army STEM program you can provide support by:
Push your student to take ownership of the process by researching programs, filling out applications, and following up. These are skills they’ll use well beyond high school.
If your student is participating in an Army STEM program you can provide support by:
Follow us on social media @usaeop_armystem for tips on how to support your student as they work towards a future STEM career.
What makes someone succeed in STEM? It’s not perfect grades or an Ivy League degree; it’s more about their skills, attitudes, and attributes.
Becoming a STEM professional involves more than acquiring STEM-specific knowledge and abilities. In fact, STEM employers are just as concerned with potential employees’ soft skills. This is where you as a parent, guardian, or teacher of someone interested in STEM come in. You don’t need to be a science teacher to support the development of vital soft skills and attributes in your children or dependents.
Here, you can view 6 soft skills that are essential to success in STEM. To learn more about the skills, select here.
Want to learn more about what makes someone a successful STEM Practitioner?
Most people hold incorrect assumptions about what a career in STEM “should” look like. Many parents and guardians are surprised by the current realities and opportunities that await their children in STEM fields.
Click through a sample of myths and realities below, or dive deep into the current myths and realities by clicking here.
Reach out to the Army STEM team. We’d love to hear from you!