65 TRAINING math 123

TRAINING

Photo: Anthony Tieuli

Building a community
committed to fostering a
positive image of engineering
Photo: Emily Pratt


A MULTIMEDIA PROJECT

TV Show
36 Episodes
25 Profiles
42+ Animations

Web Site
pbs.org/designsquad

Outreach Campaign
Partnerships
Engineer and Informal
Educator Trainings
Events and Workshops


TODAY’S AGENDA

• Sneak Peek
• Design Process & Educational Goals

• Pop Fly
• Today’s ‘Tweens
• D-Squad Pro File
• Resource Review
• Workshops & Events
• Get Involved!


SNEAK PEEK

Download 4 minute overview video clip at:
/>wnload_video.html


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


EVALUATION:
KEY FINDINGS
After viewing four Design Squad episodes,
fifth and sixth grade students:
• increased their understanding of the design process
• changed their stereotypes about engineering - for the better!

• wanted to enroll in an engineering afterschool program
• understood the science content of the shows
• had a better sense of teamwork
• liked watching it!
Goodman Research Group, Inc. October 2007


EVALUATION:
KEY FINDINGS
After completing the activities in the Educator’s Guide,
afterschool students:
•

increased their understanding of the design process

•

increased their understanding of the engineering and science
concepts presented in the activities
liked doing the activities!

•

After facilitating the activities in the Educator’s Guide,
afterschool leaders:
•

showed a greater understanding of the design process

•

•

felt more comfortable talking about engineering
wanted to use the activities again!

Goodman Research Group, Inc. October 2007


QUESTIONS?

Photo: Mika Tomczak


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 Design Squad
reinforces the design process.
Use it with kids to:
• expand their thinking

• become more innovative
• learn from their mistakes


TODAY’S TWEENS:
WHAT DO THEY THINK?
‘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.”
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

WHAT DO THEY WANT?
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.”
From Extraordinary Women Engineers Project research study of academically prepared high school girls


DISCONNECT

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

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

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
majors in college; you need to
have confidence to get through it.

Where did you go to college?
What was your favorite class?
What did you do for fun at college?

Math and science! Work to excel
and in both disciplines!

We all know that you need math
science to be an engineer, but what
do you do as an engineer?

Go to EngineerYourLife.org for more info!


D-SQUAD PRO FILE

Profile of a real engineer:
pbskidsgo.org/designsquad/parentseducators/program/


RESOURCES

New! Teacher’s Guide
3 Units, 7 Activities

NASA/Design Squad On the Moon
6 Activities

Invent It, Build It
6 Activities
Available in Spanish.

Educator’s Guide
4 Units, 10 Activities

Event Guide

5 Activities

Activity Guide
5 Activities


WORKSHOPS

1 Meeting
Choose an activity
from any guide

2 to 3 Meetings
Use one unit from Educator’s Guide
or Teacher’s Guide
10 Meetings
Facilitate all four units in Educator’s Guide or
Teacher’s Guide


EVENTS
Spark kids’ interest and confidence in engineering
with a lively, fun-filled event!
Feature these elements:
Challenge stations
Choose from ten activities in
Event Guide or Activity Guide

Testing zone
Engineer profiles

24 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


GET INVOLVED!

• Host events and workshops
• Train other engineers
• Create and support local partnerships
• Integrate Design Squad into existing programs
• Spread the word


PBS PARTNERS

Contact your local station and ask about:
• Local underwriting opportunities
• Broadcasting Design Squad

• Outreach partnership possibilities
Find your local station at www.pbs.org


MAJOR FUNDING FOR
DESIGN SQUAD

Additional funding provided by:


QUESTIONS?

Photo: Anthony Tieuli