Every teacher has the opportunity to inspire the next generation of engineers. By sharing their own engineering experiences and stories, teachers can show students the potential engineering has for making a difference in the world.
Engineers are responsible for almost all of the products and facilities used daily. Using a combination of scientific knowledge and practical problem-solving skills, engineers help to make everyday life easier for everyone. There is no doubt that without engineers, the world would be a very different place. Unfortunately, many countries are experiencing a shortage of engineers, including the United States.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates 139,300 new engineering jobs will be created between 2016 and 2026. New engineering graduates must continually enter the industry to ensure these vacancies can be filled. Teachers play a vital role in encouraging future engineers to take an interest in learning about STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) subjects. But how can teachers get kids enthusiastic about these topics and help to inspire a career in engineering? The good news is there are many ways to help kids take an interest in STEM and the possibility of a career in engineering. Here are some of the ways educators can help to inspire the next generation of engineers:
Capture Their Imagination
Creating a fascinating permanent display of STEM-related facts and information is an excellent way to keep these subjects at the forefront of children’s minds. Kids love to discover interesting facts so putting together a wall display that they can look at and find information that captures their imagination is a great help. Using colorful borders for bulletin boards and then filling the board with STEM-related posters and information will create an eye-catching display that attracts attention.
Plan Hands-On Activities
Reading and learning about STEM subjects and how they can be applied to engineering is essential. But, to get the kids really interested in a career in engineering, it is best to plan some hands-on activities. Trying out some experiments and activities is an excellent way to help students understand how engineering works.
Invite Inspirational Speakers
Helping kids get an idea of the career paths they could take in engineering will help them feel more enthusiastic about STEM subjects. Seeing the interesting roles that engineers can take on and how these make a big difference to the world is sure to inspire kids. Inviting engineers into school to speak to the kids about the exciting projects they have worked on and answer any questions they may have is another excellent opportunity.
Plan Some Field Trips
Getting outside of the classroom and taking students to a museum is a great way to spark their interest even further. A trip to a science museum or a museum of engineering (if you have one near you) offers lots of opportunities for kids to interact with STEM activities. Being in a setting outside of the school enables kids to enjoy having fun while learning at the same time. Bringing learning to life in this way is a powerful way to get kids feeling enthusiastic about STEM. This should encourage them to learn more about engineering-related subjects and maybe even pursue a future career in the industry.
