Why Inspiring Kids to Become Engineers and Scientists is Important?
The most challenging and difficult world problems will be solved by engineers and scientists. Problems such as water shortages, the conversion of our economy from reliance on fossil fuels to alternative fuels, a health system based on genomics and predictive maintenance rather than one based on preventive maintenance will be solved by the supreme innovators of or times— engineers and scientists.
Today 25% of today's world population is below the age of fifteen, often the best opportunity for young people to improve their position in life is to become an engineer or scientist.
Moreover, nations economic growth is seeded by talented engineers and scientist who create unique products in industries such as consumer electronics, semiconductor, biotech, and energy.
This sight is dedicated to keeping parents up to speed on the latest news on math, science, technology, and engineering education and to providing parents with fun learning material that encourage scientific curousity in children.
If you believe there is a need to inspire our kids to become the next wave of innovators, consider these simple actions.Learning about science fist hand. Made me laugh.
Science!
A boy discovers the wonders of static electricity in a crowded airport departure lounge.
Kids Like to Learn How Stuff Works
HowStuffWorks
Learn how elevators, submarines and airplanes work in this action packed animation from the folks at HowStuffWorks!
Runtime: 2:01
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10 Ways to Inspire Kids
Here's what I'm doing
2)It's okay to have fun. Toys like "Disgusting Science" teach science with friendly germs and fuzzy molds and fake coagulating blood.
3)Get hands on. Take an old broken electronic wireless toy car apart. Show how the motors and radio work. Kids love dissecting, reassembling, and learning how things fit together. If you need something more off-the-shelf, LEGO® has a new robot toy called MINDSTORMS® NXT. With MINDSTORMS you can build a robot with motors for moving; sensors for sound, light, color, and distance; and an intelligent brick that kids can program.
4)Make engineering and science into a sport. FIRST, which stands for "For Inspiration and Recognition and Science and Technology," promotes robot competition as a sport. The program has grown into an amazing event that thousands of students participate in.
5) Make math a game. My father made math come to life with miles/gallon calculations on vacations, frugal low-price shopping, and baseball statistics. It's the parent's job to make math come alive, because math in school can be dry and repetitive. GEMS (Great Explorations in Math and Science) is a leading resource for innovative science and mathematics education, which was developed at University of California Berkley's Lawrence Hall of Science. More than 70 GEMs Teachers Guides® and handbooks offer a wide range of learning experiences.
6)Don't criticize. Positive encouragement is essential.
7)Make engineering and science cool. Talk about local heroes who started businesses that generated good jobs or found a new science truth that changed the world.
8)Engage all senses. At Google Video, search on "howstuffworks." In two-to-three minute videos, you can show kids how submarines, parachutes, water metal cutters and other things work. Just as entertaining as Spongebob Squarepants cartoons.
9)Cook together. Kids love to make things with their parents. Cooking teaches lessons like things get messy, if you are patient you will get a big pay off.
10)Follow their lead. If he is interested in sharks, buy him a shark tooth necklace, take him to SeaWorld to pet the sharks. Identify and research the three sharks in the movie Nemo who repeat, "fish are friends, not food."
Inspirational Edcuational Links
- FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)
- FIRST is a multinational non-profit organization, that aspires to transform culture, making science, math, engineering, and technology as cool for kids as sports are today.
- Lego Mindstorms NXT
- Join the community of Lego Mindstorm NXT developers.
- How Stuff Works Video
- Search Google Video on "howstuffworks" for videos that show science and engineering concepts. Learn how elevators, submarines and airplanes work in this action packed animation.
- Leading Economist Recommends Innovation Plan
- Paul Romer at Stanford University an expert on economic growth and considered a candidate for the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics argues that increased incentives-via government subsidies-for universities to train scientists and engineers will be necessary to sustain, and certainly to increase, growth in the twenty-first century. Read his plan.
- Science News for Kids
- From agriculture to weather, science and technology news written for kids.
- Fun puzzles
- Use logic to solve rush hour traffic.
by Lerner
Engineers and scientist are society's great innovators. They will solve the world's most challenging problems.
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