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In the
Media
Tech
Enthusiasts Bring 'ZOOM into Engineering' Activities to
Community
Appeared in DFW TechBiz January 17,
2002
By Laurie
Agee
Catching
children’s attention with math and science sometimes is as difficult as
getting them to eat broccoli. But to interest them in subjects that
eventually lead to technology and engineering careers takes an early start
in their education.
To help their math and science education bloom,
a new activity program called ZOOM into Engineering now exists. The
educational program is based on the PBS television series “ZOOM” produced
by WGBH-TV (Channel 2) in Boston and locally shown weekdays at 3 p.m. on
KERA-TV (Channel 13). The free ZOOM into Engineering activities are
planned and presented individually by engineers, teachers and others
wanting to get involved.
The program teaches the basics of
engineering through hands-on experiments such as the Gumdrop Dome and the
Egg Bungee. It launches an effort by the National Engineers Week
committee, organized by the National Society of Professional Engineers,
and other sponsors such as the American Society of Civil Engineers and
General Electric Co., to reach a younger, 6- to 12-year-old
audience.
“The program is an outreach effort to bring math and
science projects into the community,” said Maura Schreier-Fleming, of Best
of Selling in Dallas. “Kids learn by actually doing hands-on experiments
and questioning them.”
The first step in the program starts with
“train-the-trainer” seminars. To present the projects to children the
teachers must understand the idea behind lessons. Richardson’s LeEarl
Bryant, president of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
along with Schreier-Fleming from Dallas, hosted the first Dallas
train-the-trainer meeting Dec. 5.
To get the ball rolling,
Schreier-Fleming issued invitations to local engineering societies,
corporations, engineering schools, teachers and parents. Several
engineers, teachers and members of Dallas-area organizations such as the
Junior League of Plano attended to learn how they could aid in expanding
the program.
The 15 trainees in attendance were given ZOOM into
Engineering toolkits containing activity guides, CD-ROMs, a video
presenting the projects and freebies for the children such as balloons and
pencils. The activity guide includes detailed instructions for each
project, and an explanation on how it pertains to engineering.
The
trainees built several of the projects and were asked to think like their
students might while participating. The seminar hosts then asked their
trainees for their comments and suggestions. Familiarizing the trainees
with the projects is another way to help engineers who may not work with
children feel more comfortable while teaching elementary
students.
“What we envision is that each one of these trained
volunteers goes back to their organizations and trains others,”
Schreier-Fleming said. “We will also hold other training events for others
who express an interest.”
Tips on how to organize workshops and
events also were given. Program organizers recommend scheduling the events
after school or on the weekends because of a lack of time during the
school day.
At the seminar, participants viewed a video of children
assembling a Gumdrop Dome — a project that demonstrates strength of angles
when combined. They tested the project by applying weight to the
domes.
After watching the tape, trainees completed the same project
on their own.
Some of the trainees even enjoyed being a little more
inventive with the project and built variations to test.
“I’m
optimistic that this is just the beginning to generate an interest in math
and science for our young adults.” Schreier-Fleming said. “It’s really
exciting to be a part of a program that makes math and science fun.
Everyone wins — the kids, the volunteers and our
community.”
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