Design SquadIEEE-USA Annual Meeting

September 2, 2007

Kristi Brooks

Region 4 S-PAC Coordinator

TRAINING

Building a community committed to fosteringa positive image of engineering

TV Show 13 Episodes11 Profiles26+ Animations

Web Site pbskidsgo.org/designsquad

Outreach CampaignPartnershipsEngineer and Informal

Educator TrainingsEvents and Workshops

A MULTIMEDIA PROJECT

DESIGN PROCESS

Every aspect of DesignSquad 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

Today’s ‘Tweens

D-Squad Pro File

Resource Review

Workshops & Events

Get Involved!

Break

Hidden Alarm & Design Process

Pop Fly & Design Process

TODAY’S 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 gratificationPersonalizationConstant communication

TODAY’S ‘TWEENS

‘Tweens’ older sisters:

Think engineering is for people who LOVE both math and science

Don’t know what engineering is

Aren’t 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 doesn’t 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 WE’RE TELLING THEM

Engineers tell young people:

Engineering is stressful and challenging

Stress the importance of SUPERIOR math and science abilities

“It’s not easy—but if you’re 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 be—what’s the point of doing anything you don’t like?”

Good working environment“If I can’t 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 I’m choosing a job. I’m not going to do something that I know can’t help me pay bills.”

Flexibility“My career can’t 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

HS Girls

- Enjoying what I do - Good working environment - Making a difference - Good income - Flexibility Engineering

Community

- It’s a challenge - Go for it! It’s difficult but rewarding - Use math & science to solve problems

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 excel We 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/

Educator’s Guide4 Units, 10 Activities It’s Electric

Cars, Cars, Cars Blowin’ in the Wind Kick Start

Event Guide5 Activities

Rubber Band CarKinetic SculpturePop FlyHidden AlarmFour Corners

RESOURCE REVIEW

Facilitate all four units in Educator’s Guide

2 to 3 Meetings

Choose one challenge from Event or Educator’s Guide

Use one unit from Educator’s Guide

10 Meetings

1 Meeting

WORKSHOPS

EVENTS

Spark kids’ interest and confidence in engineering with a lively, fun-filled event

Feature these elements:

Challenge stationsChoose from five activities

in Event Guide

Testing zone

Engineer profiles11 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 www.wgbh.org/designsquadfund

GET INVOLVED!

Contact your local station and ask about:

Local underwriting opportunities

Broadcasting Design Squad

Outreach partnership possibilities

Find your local station at www.pbs.org

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, “What’s buzzing?”

1. Sound your alarm. Check the buzzer. Did it buzz?

2. Add a switch.

3. Put it all together.

POP FLY

It’s 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 DesignSquad reinforces the design process.

Use it with kids to:

expand their thinking

become more innovative

learn from their mistakes

SUPPORTING DESIGN SQUAD

QUESTIONS?