STEM engagement
80% of parents said they had a general interest in STEM, with technology (81%) and science (77%) the most popular subjects. This is slightly higher than in 2020–21, however these changes are not statistically significant.
Interest levels were significantly higher among fathers than mothers across all STEM subjects. Close to a third of all parents had low or no interest in mathematics (35%) or engineering (32%).
Parents of boys showed higher levels of interest in engineering (70%, compared to 66% of parents of girls) and mathematics (67%, compared to 63% of parents of girls). These results are similar to the 2020-21 survey.
General interest in STEM was also significantly higher among parents from:
- metropolitan locations (83%), compared to parents from regional and remote locations (73%)
- higher socio-economic areas (84%), compared to parents from lower socio-economic areas (74%)
- CALD backgrounds (87%), compared to parents without a CALD background (78%).
Almost half of all parents (47%) reported having at least weekly discussions with their children about STEM topics. 11% of parents did not discuss STEM with their children at all –this is a significant decrease from 15% in 2020–21, suggesting higher engagement with STEM.
There were no significant differences in weekly conversations about STEM topics among fathers compared to mothers, or parents of boys compared to parents of girls. However, there have been changes among these groups since the last survey. Weekly conversations have significantly increased for mothers (46%, up from 38% in 2020–21) and parents of girls (48%, up from 42%). Meanwhile, there were no significant differences for fathers (48%, down from 51%) or parents of boys (46%, down from 47%).
Families held STEM conversations significantly more frequently when at least one parent had a STEM qualification themselves (56% had weekly conversations), compared to those without a STEM qualification (44% had weekly conversations).
More than three-quarters (78%) of parents reported having medium to high confidence in their ability to support their children with STEM. A significantly higher proportion of fathers (86%) reported confidence in supporting their children with STEM schoolwork compared to mothers (70%).
More parents reported medium or high confidence with technology (77%), science (74%) and mathematics (71%), than engineering (63%). Parents were least confident in engineering, with 37% reporting low or no confidence in this area.
Confidence in STEM in general was significantly higher among parents from:
- metropolitan locations (81%), compared to parents from regional and remote locations (72%)
- higher socioeconomic areas (80%), compared to parents from lower socioeconomic areas (75%).