Many UK parents unable to answer basic science questions

It has emerged that parents of children between the ages of four and 12 are suffering from real embarrassment and resorting to telling their children white lies. When it comes to answering their tricky questions about STEM, 63% of parents said that they have given their inquisitive child an incorrect answer instead of admitting that they don’t know the answer. In addition, 61% actually fear being asked a difficult question by their child – resulting in them avoiding giving answers.

According to the research, 12% of those who have faced simple scientific questions that they can’t answer, simply pass the buck to the other parent – telling their child to ask their mum or dad instead. What’s more, 59% of parents admitted that their child knows more than they do about technical subjects like engineering and technology.

From North to South, British parents have all experienced reluctance when it comes to their children’s questions, though some more than others. London’s parents appear to be the least informed about scientific subjects, with 93% admitting they’ve been asked a question by their child related to STEM and not known the answer. In Nottingham only 72% of parents – significantly lower than the rest of the population – have had uncertainties.

As a result, the IET set up its #AskTheEngineers initiative for parents to put their children’s questions to a panel of engineering experts. Naomi Climer, IET President, said: "We commissioned this research to celebrate Tomorrow’s Engineers Week (2nd to 6th November). The findings have given us some interesting insight into how poorly equipped UK parents are when it comes to tackling their child’s often tricky questions relating to STEM subjects.  That’s why we held our very first #AskTheEngineers live Twitter Q&A with Mumsnet, giving parents the answers they need – and, at the same time, helping them to inspire and nurture their child’s interest in STEM subjects.

"The IET’s #AskTheEngineers initiative is part of wider campaign called Engineer a Better World, which was launched earlier this year. The campaign is all about encouraging more young people – particularly girls – to consider engineering as a potential career option in the future. By engaging with parents and children through the campaign, we hope we can build the engineering workforce of the future – enabling the UK to remain a world leader in engineering and technology.”