Riverside, California (NAPSI) - One of the best investments parents can make when it comes to equipping their kids for school is to give them tools that encourage success in math and science.

Multiple studies predict that careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) will be among the fastest-growing, highest-quality jobs available when today’s students enter the workforce. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of careers in STEM is projected to grow 17 percent by 2018, compared to just 9.8 percent for non-STEM jobs.

Integrating technology into science and math learning is a great way to engage today’s tech-savvy students and make learning fun and interactive, while improving student achievement in these subjects. Here are helpful tips for parents to consider when choosing math and science gear for their middle school and high school students:

• Pick the right tool for the job. Graphing calculators are developed with teachers specifically for math and science learning, and research from SRI International shows that the devices increase student success in math when used effectively. Graphing calculators are also allowed on many high-stakes exams, including the ACT, SAT, AP, IB and many state tests, where tablets, mobile devices and laptops are not.

• Don’t forget about durability. Is the product made to withstand being thrown into a locker or into the bottom of a backpack full of heavy textbooks? Buying a durable product is less expensive in the long run than purchasing a replacement or buying insurance to protect against damage.

• Look for technology that students can use both in class and at home. Get to know the school’s policies about which technologies are allowed and supported in classrooms. Students should also be able to easily transfer their work from classroom to home. To help with that, there are TI-Nspire CX graphing handhelds. These include free student software that lets kids learn with the handheld in class and continue their studies with the software on a desktop or laptop computer at home. The user experience is virtually identical.

• Consider the longevity of your purchase. Will the product last for years or quickly become obsolete as newer versions are introduced? The TI-Nspire CX can be used in math and science classes from middle school into college, and includes free software and operating system upgrades.

Learn More

You can discover more about this useful technology online at http://education.ti.com or by calling (800) 842-2737.