Adults' Perceptions of Children's Science Abilities and Interest After Participating in a Family Science Night

• Published in: School science and mathematics Vol. 116; no. 1; pp. 55 - 64
• Main Authors: Yanowitz, Karen L., Hahs-Vaughn, Debbie L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-01-2016; Wiley-Blackwell
• Subjects: Academic Ability; Adults; attitudes/beliefs; Children; Children & youth; Elementary Secondary Education; Ethnic Groups; Families & family life; Family Programs; Gender Differences; Individual Characteristics; informal science education; Learning; Night; Parent Attitudes; Parent Student Relationship; Perceptions; projects/applications; Racial Differences; Science Activities; Science education; Student Attitudes; Student Interests; Students; teachers and teaching; United States (South)
• ISSN: 0036-6803; 1949-8594
• DOI: 10.1111/ssm.12149

The goal of this research was to examine adults’ and children's perceptions of participating in a family science night event, especially in the context of parental belief about children's science abilities. Family science nights are becoming increasingly popular and are used in a wide range of settings. During family science nights, adults and students jointly engaged in a variety of science activities. Results revealed that adults, 90% of whom were parents of attending students, reported learning more about children's interests and abilities in science. Students also agreed that that the adults had learned more about their abilities and interests. Personal characteristics of adults and children, such as gender and ethnicity, were not found to have any relationship to ratings.