Why so many children doing well at math are finally drifting away from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers? According to a new study by Zahra Hazari, professor at Florida International University (FIU) College of Education and STEM Transformation Institute, there are solutions to keep bright students on the STEM track.

Before anything else, children need clear explanations about concepts, confidence, and what is equally important: encouragement and interest. The researchers don’t agree with popular belief that you’re either a math or word person. The problem is that, once you’re labeled as one stereotype, people don’t see you as the other. “If parents, friends or peers see you as a math person, then you’re much more likely to see yourself as a math person and take that on as your identity,” said professor Hazari. “You can have a math identity as well as a language identity.”

Image: FIU Professor Zahra Hazari / FIU

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