Engineering is one of the highest-paid and most sought-after positions in the workforce of the 21st century. Parents who want their kids to broaden their horizons and start looking into potential careers at an early age should try these tips to encourage their children to get involved with engineering:
Send them to STEM camp
Many universities and colleges offer great summer programs for students to immerse themselves in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Students can spend time learning how to build robots, create working small-scale airplanes and even study the chemical makeup of cereal. All these seemingly silly and definitely fun activities grow from serious teachings in fields like physics, chemistry and aerodynamics. Often, when kids hear the term engineering, they think the subject is boring because they don't know what it really entails. Immersing young people in the field can help them understand what a career in STEM might be like and stir their interest.
Head on field trips
There are so many great museums across the world that offer insight into engineering. The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago is a great example. Or head to The United States Army Engineer Museum in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. There may not be an entire museum dedicated to engineering near you, but plenty feature engineering exhibits. The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum is a great option.
Tour a STEM college
If you really want to light an engineering fire in students' minds, take them to tour a college or university that offers STEM programming. Here, they can see what engineering is all about, from sitting in on lectures to visiting with current students and talking to professors. Many postsecondary schools also feature some exhibits or other ways to showcase what current students are working on. This can prove inspiring and even motivate your kids to improve their Common Core testing scores so they can get into top-notch colleges for engineering.
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