In our digitally-focused and technology-forward world, STEM education is more important than ever. Countries with higher levels of STEM proficiency will become global leaders in innovation.
According to a study by Microsoft, 93% of parents believe that STEM education should be a priority. Research by the National Center for Education Statistics claims that nearly 60% choose a school for their child based on academic programs and curriculum focus, including STEM.
Highlighting your school’s STEM program in your marketing materials is a highly effective way to boost enrollment. Specifically, social media allows you to connect with potential parents and students more intimately, humanize your institution, and show how your STEM program is improving your students’ lives.
Highlight Success Stories from Teachers and Students
One of the biggest benefits of marketing your programs via social media is that it allows you to show instead of tell. Recruit students and teachers passionate about the STEM program to create their own content, or sit them down for more formal interview sessions that you can edit into polished reels. Static images can work, but a video is more likely to capture genuine enthusiasm.
Make the Data Visual
Many parents will want to see hard data about how your students perform. Sharing this information on your social media pages is a great way to grab attention. Post charts, graphs, and other visual representations of data — humans process visual information 60,000 times faster than text and remember close to 65% of what we see.
Go Live
Live streams facilitate an even higher level of interactivity. Lives can run for several hours at a time, whereas a Reel is capped at 90 seconds. This extra time gives you and whomever you are featuring a chance to delve into STEM topics in more depth. Viewers can comment in real time, creating a better dialogue.
Offer Virtual Tours
Virtual tours allow you to highlight the resources and facilities available for each grade. Parents with a strong interest in STEM education don’t want to see science and computer labs that look like they haven’t changed since they were in school.
Connect with Prospective Students and Their Families
If interested parents and students comment on your posts or send a direct message, answer them as promptly as possible and turn the interaction into a conversation. Social media is built to foster connections — if you can make a family feel a connection with your institution before they apply, you have a much higher chance of getting them to enroll.
Make Sure Potential Students Know About Your STEM Program
Social media is a valuable tool for marketing everything your school has to offer. Highlighting a strong commitment to STEM subjects can only benefit your enrollment efforts.