The role of mothers and parents in driving innovation in the American STEM pipeline

Abstract

We continue to hear daily that America is losing it's leadership and innovative edge in technology and science to European and Asian countries. One reason often cited is the lack of diversity of students and professionals in STEM careers, since diversity often leads to creativity and innovation. Many studies and research provide reasons for the small numbers of minority students pursuing STEM careers and cures for reversing this trend. The solutions range from highlighting diverse role models, to investing more in math and science in inner city schools, to including stories and examples relevant to the various ethnic groups and females in the STEM curricula, to inserting more STEM activities in the early education curriculum. This paper will focus on what the author believes to be the most important solution to rebuilding the STEM pipeline with minority students to infuse creativity and innovation: re-focusing mothers and parents of minority students to embrace their role in making education, particularly excellence in math, a top priority for their children in kindergarten through high school.