Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

In this episode, Chris and Jeff discuss STEM education with two educators/engineers in the field who are working to help kids learn more about engineering and stay excited about the field.

• Chris started wanting to work on cell phones.
• Jeff’s dad is an engineer and built heathkit stereos.
• Bill Porter works for the Navy and runs the science brothers program.
• Dave Young is a consultant who also runs the Blue Stamp Engineering program.
• Dave wants to show kids that engineering is engaging and you can make money making stuff.
• Bill wants to remove stigma around being interested and excited about science.
• Funding for Bill comes through public affairs and grants through the Office of Naval research.
• Very hard to track progress, but it’s required for funding from governmental programs.
• Dave’s program is funded directly by students but has some anonymous donors that helped students with their tuition.
• Both programs don’t deliniate between science and engineering.
• There are problems in growing programs but maintaining small ratios of student to teachers is important.
• Context is an important component of the Blue Stamp program.
• Another important component is learning the differences between what should work and what does work.
• You still need to explain that math is necessary but that it’s not an everyday occurrence in real engineering.
• The difference between learning how to do something and learning how to do something and how it matters.
• In an interview with president of Olin college on Boston public radio he talked about how engineering doesn’t have professors from industry, whereas other fields do.
• 50% of students that start in engineering don’t end up graduating.
• 
• Dave thinks that there is a further funneling because many that leave school don’t know how to do anything.
• Should the focus on well roundedness be reduced in STEM education?
• Well roundedness doesn’t have to be across fields, it could be within scientific fields.
• Dave came up with BSE at a bus stop with his partner Robin.
• Bill was recruited to revive the Science Brothers program after attending a girl scout day and wowing the kids with robots and light up coats.
• Seaperch.org is an online program by the navy to build an ROV.
• Online learning will help with some of the “unofficial education” that will increase exposure.
• More info about Dave’s program at BlueStampEngineering.com
• More info about Bill’s program at Sciencebrothers.org

Thanks to Magnuscanis for the image of Einstein’s Blackboard