Lil’ scientists: 4 ways to encourage STEM in your household
Image of Zaida Hernández
With the emergence of STEM in recent years, children have gained a greater interest in science and technology. As parents, we always want to encourage curiosity through activities or reading. In our new book, Luz Lucero: Niña Astronauta, by author and space engineer, Zaida Hernández motivates little ones to be inquisitive, creative, and bold. At the end of her book, Zaida shares a roadmap for children interested in diving deeper into STEM.
Parents here are some suggestions according to a NASA space engineer on what to do if your child expresses an interest in STEM:
Being bilingual or trilingual is a plus!
Children who speak multiple languages always have an advantage in school and their careers. STEM professionals come from all over the world to work for the United States space program. Having the ability to speak more than one language will benefit your child in the future and can create endless possibilities.
Image of girl reading Luz Lucero
Image of girl in astronaut costume holding Ellen book by @_kati_tamayo
Space camps & museums
Finding educational programs today is super easy! There are always afterschool programs, summer camps, and museums that revolve around STEM. With summer just around the corner, find space camps or programs that can encourage your little one’s curiosity. If there are no camps in your area, museums are a great alternative. Plan a day out with your child and explore STEM related museums to boost their knowledge.
School and beyond
Encourage them to participate in their school’s science fair, who remembers the volcano!? Once your child hits middle or high school, it’s always great to motivate them into joining science clubs such as rocketry or robotics club. If they’re interested in pursuing a degree in STEM, stay curious with them and research colleges that can be the right fit for them.
Better physical and mental health
Zaida emphasizes the importance of physical and mental health when pursuing any future STEM career. Staying healthy physically and mentally should be our number one priority, even when trying to pursue our dreams. Our children are faced with outside pressure that can have negative effects on their lives. This should be our priority, to encourage physical and mental health over everything.
For more information on STEM resources, visit Zaida’s Instagram @thespacelatina, where she posts updates on internships and educational programs.
Find her books, My First Space Words and Luz Lucero: Niña Astronauta at LilLibros.com
Luz Lucero has won the contest of a lifetime: to break barriers and become the first kid in space. To prepare for her legendary mission, she will taste-test delicious astronaut meals, practice her spacewalk, and learn new languages. Before you know it, we will witness this star-gazing girl's first blastoff into space.
Take a trip around our solar system with Ellen Ochoa, the first Latina in the world to travel into space. This book will introduce little ones to the Sun, Moon and planets in English and Spanish.
Let's take a trip to outer space as we bridge two languages to explore professions, animals, planets, and so much more. Written by a Latina space engineer, this book will help encourage and support little ones in their understanding of the universe.
