When it comes to buzz words in education, STEM is near the top of the list. As parents, most of us are well aware that our children must learn advanced skills in science, technology, engineering and math to have a competitive edge in the job market.

But some parents may not know that there is a nationwide shortage of qualified teachers to teach these subjects to our children -- a particularly terrifying thought for those of us who don’t even feel qualified to help with homework in these areas.

One attempt at remedying this situation is the national UTeach program, whose mission is to encourage students to teach secondary math or science. UTeach Arkansas -- offered through University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, University of Arkansas at Little Rock and University of Central Arkansas -- combines in-depth science or mathematics education with teacher preparation. Students can graduate in four years with both a bachelor’s degree in mathematics or science and STEM certification for grades 7-12.

Another focus of the program at UALR is to entice K-12 students to pursue STEM careers by teaching them real-world, problem-based lessons derived from the Common Core Standards.

But how can you get your kids excited about such concepts from a young age?

As you would expect in the Google age, there are lots of practical resources available to parents, many of which are free. For example, Oct. 19-25 is National Chemistry Week, an annual event that seeks to promote the value of chemistry in everyday life. And what kid is not going to want in on this year’s theme: “The Sweet Side of Chemistry -- Candy,” showcasing the chemistry involved in candy and confections. Sponsored by American Chemical Society, parents can find online videos and experiments on the chemistry of candy corn, hard candy, ice cream and cotton candy.

Parents who do not consider themselves scientifically or mathematically inclined can breathe a sigh of relief, because generating and facilitating your kids’ interests in STEM subjects truly is not rocket science. And STEM is not just the combination of science, technology, engineering and math, but rather an integrated, applied approach that combines all disciplines into a relevant learning experience.

Thomas Wallace, a member of the faculty of the Information Science Department and Information Technology Program at UALR, is a great example of what all parents can do to prepare their kids for the STEM track.

His kids -- son Carter, 8, and daughter Madeline, 5 -- both attend eStem in Little Rock.

“We didn’t set out specifically to tackle working on STEM concepts,” he says of his and his wife Brooke’s approach. “From an early age, we answered their questions with questions to open the door for discussion.”

Wallace says teaching our kids to be curious is the #1 skill we can impart to them. “Teach them to ask questions,” he says. “Then it’s important how you go about answering those questions. Not just, ‘Here’s the answer,’ but, ‘Here’s why.’ Never stifle their creativity. Get at why, not just how.

“Our MO is to expose our kids to lots of things. We spend a lot of time in the woods. Nature is a great place to explore; you’re free to discover.”

As you might expect, his kids play with lots of Legos, Lincoln Logs and erector sets. “We build with them,” he explains. “We give them a box of Legos and see what we can create together. Most parents know Legos, so it’s a good entry point.”

Participating with your child is key, he adds. “My kids will do anything, as long as I’m doing it with them. It’s as much about spending time with them in an environment in which they can explore. Go and discover the answer with your child.”

After all, he points out, most of the problems they will have to solve don’t even exist yet.

“To teach them a love of learning, you have to actively participate,” he says. “You have to cultivate that love of learning.”

Pictured above: Last summer, Carter Wallace, age 8, attended a weeklong robotics summer camp through ROBOTS-4-U. His father, Thomas, offers advice on how to instill a love of learning in all children.