When teens face academic and career decisions, it’s their parents’ opinions that matter most, according to research by Let's Talk Science. Given the influence of parents,their encouragement can help children pursue the grounding they need to open up academic and career choices. But that can only happen if parents understand the importance and implications of electing or dropping particular courses and can communicate knowledgeably with their child about their educational direction. Parents yearn for more facts and information that can inform and shape these conversations with their children and a strong majority of parents (75 per cent) would welcome information about STEM and career choices to pass onto their child.

For these reasons, Choose a Path that Includes Math was developed. Choose a Path That Includes Math provides resources for teens and parents to use together (grades 7-12). This on-line resource equips parents and teens with resources they can use at home to guide decision-making about mathematics pathways and to support high expectations and dreams; showcases the importance of mathematics; strives to reduce math anxiety; and, reinforces the idea that math is the key that can open doors to a variety of career paths. Choose a Path That Includes Math is a web-based, engaging hub of interactive pathways, embedded videos, expert and student testimonials, successful adults speaking of how they use math every day coupled with excellent resources and links. The release of this resource is timely, as a recent Globe and Mail report of the latest PISA results called for more resources to support parent/adolescent conversation about careers.