Feb 01, 2017 11:12 AM EST By Audri Taylors, UniversityHerald Reporter

As a parent, have you tried talking to your children, especially your high schoolers about STEM and their future? Although it may feel intimidating at first for a number of reasons, these conversations are essential so that children can be exposed to the importance of STEM skills and ignite their interest in the STEM fields. In fact, a study suggests that parents who talk with their high schoolers about the relevance of science and math can increase their competency and career interest in these fields.

According to UChicago News, the findings that were published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, show an increase by 12 percent on the science and math scores of the students whose parents were able to convey the importance of science, technology, engineering and math. It is said these students are more likely to pursue STEM careers and take STEM classes in college.

As per the researchers Christopher S. Rozek, a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Chicago, and colleagues at Northwestern University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Virginia, STEM graduates are deemed critical for economic growth and global competitiveness, according to Science Daily.

Rozek said that parents are untapped resource in terms of helping the students get motivated and prepared for STEM. He also said that all that's needed is to encourage parents to have these discussions take place about science and math.

In their latest study, what the researchers discovered was that parents who provided STEM relevant information, their children showed improved ACTs in math and science. These higher scores on math and science ACTs have influenced the number of STEM classes the students enroll in college, as well as the fields and career they pursue.

This is where the researchers have emphasized on the substantial effects parents can make just when they think that there's nothing much they can do to change their children's minds by the time they are already teenagers.

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