Design Squad IEEE-USA Annual Meeting September 2, 2007 Kristi Brooks Region 4 S-PAC Coordinator

TRAINING Building a community committed to fostering a positive image of engineering

TV Show 13 Episodes 11 Profiles 26+ Animations Web Site pbskidsgo.org/designsquad Outreach Campaign Partnerships Engineer and Informal Educator Trainings Events and Workshops A MULTIMEDIA PROJECT

DESIGN PROCESS Every aspect of Design Squad reinforces the design process. Use it with kids to: expand their thinking become more innovative learn from their mistakes

OUTREACH GOALS Our Goals Increase kids knowledge of engineering Improve kids design process skills Promote engineering as creative problem solving Expose kids to engineering and technology careers Build a community committed to fostering a positive image of engineering

Sneak Peak Todays Tweens D-Squad Pro File Resource Review Workshops & Events Get Involved! Break Hidden Alarm & Design Process Pop Fly & Design Process TODAYS AGENDA

SNEAK PEEK Preview of Episode 1: pbskidsgo.org/designsquad/parentseducators/program/

Generation Y Children 9–13 years of age, nestled between childhood and adolescence Born between 1993 and 1997 The most digitally savvy generation in American history… Nearly 9 of 10 have internet access Significant time spent with television and gaming devices Culturally diverse… While minorities make up 24 percent of baby boomers, they form 34 percent of Generation Y What do they expect? Instant gratification Personalization Constant communication TODAYS TWEENS

Tweens older sisters: Think engineering is for people who LOVE both math and science Dont know what engineering is Arent interested in the field nor do they think it is for them. Someone who excels in math and science.... Likes working out problems and working with other people....Someone who is motivated, dedicated, and who doesnt mind sitting in a cubicle all day. WHAT DO THEY THINK? From Extraordinary Women Engineers Project research study of academically prepared high school girls

WHAT WERE TELLING THEM Engineers tell young people: Engineering is stressful and challenging Stress the importance of SUPERIOR math and science abilities Its not easybut if youre the type who when faced with a problem some would call impossible is even more driven to move mountains to find a solution, then you might have it in you to be an engineer. From Extraordinary Women Engineers Project research study of academically prepared high school girls

They want rewarding careers, with these hallmarks: Enjoyable How happy I will bewhats the point of doing anything you dont like? Good working environment If I cant interact with people…I will probably drop the job. To make a difference That I would make a difference in some way, you know, make my mark on the world. Income As shallow as it sounds, money is the one thing I have to consider when Im choosing a job. Im not going to do something that I know cant help me pay bills. Flexibility My career cant consume all of my time…I need free time to do a lot of other things…before I die. WHAT DO THEY WANT? From Extraordinary Women Engineers Project research study of academically prepared high school girls

DISCONNECT From Extraordinary Women Engineers Project research study of academically prepared high school girls

WHAT CAN WE SAY? Rather Than… Share… Engineering is difficult and stressful.What do you like best about being an engineer? Engineering is one of the toughest Where did you go to college? majors in college; you need to What was your favorite class? have confidence to get through it.What did you do for fun at college? Math and science! Work to excelWe all know that you need math and in both disciplines! science to be an engineer, but what do you do as an engineer?

D-SQUAD PRO FILE Profile of a real engineer: pbskidsgo.org/designsquad/parentseducators/program/

Educators Guide 4 Units, 10 Activities Its Electric Cars, Cars, Cars Blowin in the Wind Kick Start Event Guide 5 Activities Rubber Band Car Kinetic Sculpture Pop Fly Hidden Alarm Four Corners RESOURCE REVIEW

Facilitate all four units in Educators Guide 2 to 3 Meetings Choose one challenge from Event or Educators Guide Use one unit from Educators Guide 10 Meetings 1 Meeting WORKSHOPS

EVENTS Spark kids interest and confidence in engineering with a lively, fun-filled event Feature these elements: Challenge stations Choose from five activities in Event Guide Testing zone Engineer profiles 11 downloadable videos Signs

WORKING WITH KIDS TIPS Try every challenge first Be friendly and patient Let kids explore Ask kids questions Adapt instructions to fit audience Point out design process Tell kids about yourself and your work

Host events and workshops Train other engineers Create and support local partnerships Integrate Design Squad into existing programs Spread the word Donate to Engineers for Design Squad GET INVOLVED!

Contact your local station and ask about: Local underwriting opportunities Broadcasting Design Squad Outreach partnership possibilities Find your local station at PBS PARTNERS

QUESTIONS?

HIDDEN ALARM Design an alarm that you can turn on and off and is small enough to hide. Make your friends and family ask, Whats buzzing? 1. Sound your alarm. Check the buzzer. Did it buzz? 2. Add a switch. 3. Put it all together.

POP FLY Its football with a twist. Invent a way to send a Ping-Pong ball flying high enough to catch it. Take some paint stirrers, a wooden spool, and tape. Now, add your foot. Ready, set, launch!

DESIGN PROCESS Every aspect of Design Squad reinforces the design process. Use it with kids to: expand their thinking become more innovative learn from their mistakes

SUPPORTING DESIGN SQUAD

QUESTIONS?