That's RAD! Science STEM books: Survey results on adult perceptions of benefits and impacts
View/ Open
File version
Version of Record (VoR)
Author(s)
Condon, Kathleena
Cross, Megan
Walkden, Heidi
Pendergast, Donna
Andrews, Katherine
Year published
2020
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The need for early engagement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and representation of role models in STEM careers is of national and international importance. The That's RAD! Science project aims to address these needs through a series of engaging picture books for younger children that feature women in STEM as role models. The goal of this research project was to use a survey tool to gain feedback from adults on their impression of the impacts and benefits on children of the That's RAD! Science books, as well as their perceptions of the benefits of STEM engagement and use of identifiable women in ...
View more >The need for early engagement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and representation of role models in STEM careers is of national and international importance. The That's RAD! Science project aims to address these needs through a series of engaging picture books for younger children that feature women in STEM as role models. The goal of this research project was to use a survey tool to gain feedback from adults on their impression of the impacts and benefits on children of the That's RAD! Science books, as well as their perceptions of the benefits of STEM engagement and use of identifiable women in STEM as role models. Participants were sent a set of four That's RAD! Science books for children to engage with and the adult participant then completed an online survey. A total of 83 participants were recruited, with a 61% completion rate for the online survey. Of these, 98% identified as parents/carers. Survey data showed the That's RAD! Science books engaged children and the books are also beneficial to informal hands-on learning processes. <br /><br /> In addition, survey results revealed that the books are useful in exploring STEM topics and encouraging children to think about career pathways in STEM by using identifiable female role models in STEM careers. More broadly, survey data reinforced previous findings that an understanding of STEM is important for young children; children are highly engaged by informal learning processes; and exposure to identifiable, relatable, female role models in STEM careers is perceived as being valuable to long-term engagement.
View less >
View more >The need for early engagement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and representation of role models in STEM careers is of national and international importance. The That's RAD! Science project aims to address these needs through a series of engaging picture books for younger children that feature women in STEM as role models. The goal of this research project was to use a survey tool to gain feedback from adults on their impression of the impacts and benefits on children of the That's RAD! Science books, as well as their perceptions of the benefits of STEM engagement and use of identifiable women in STEM as role models. Participants were sent a set of four That's RAD! Science books for children to engage with and the adult participant then completed an online survey. A total of 83 participants were recruited, with a 61% completion rate for the online survey. Of these, 98% identified as parents/carers. Survey data showed the That's RAD! Science books engaged children and the books are also beneficial to informal hands-on learning processes. <br /><br /> In addition, survey results revealed that the books are useful in exploring STEM topics and encouraging children to think about career pathways in STEM by using identifiable female role models in STEM careers. More broadly, survey data reinforced previous findings that an understanding of STEM is important for young children; children are highly engaged by informal learning processes; and exposure to identifiable, relatable, female role models in STEM careers is perceived as being valuable to long-term engagement.
View less >
Journal Title
Teaching Science
Volume
66
Issue
4
Copyright Statement
© 2020 Australian Science Teachers Association. The attached file is reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Please refer to the journal's website for access to the definitive, published version.
Subject
Science, technology and engineering curriculum and pedagogy
Curriculum and pedagogy
Specialist studies in education