My company is one of 18 to post short videos encouraging kids to get into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). They used the clip of our Damage Tolerant FA-18 along with some animation to show what fun work can be when you have a STEM background.
The Amateur Fusion movement that started with my Analog article in 1998 promotes STEM. The SIGMA Think Tank is pushing it, too, in part because our clients in the US Government consider it essential for both prosperity and homeland security.
Check ours out first, because I'm fishing for votes.
Ours:
http://www.facebook.com/changetheequati ... 9328732449
All:
http://www.facebook.com/changetheequati ... 2392950137
Same on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/changetheequation
STEM Promotion ...
Everyone here is promoting STEM by taking interest in electrodynamic fusion.
Mostly what I want is for people to view the videos (as many as you can stand) and vote.
The most popular video will be selected to promote STEM education by showing it to kids and/or their parents. I have not seen them all, but what I have seen are a mixed bag. The Collins video is a bit cute, but the subscale FA-18 with the wing coming off is real footage of a project I've worked on, and the flying car may be underway (we've worked on something similar).
The Raytheon video is very much on-target for STEM.
The P&G attempts to make science from a paper towel ad. Slick, but I think not an inspiration.
There is one by a satellite company that shows building a satellite, but then shows it being launched on a Russian Proton booster. That's a sad commentary on the need both for STEM education and for the market for new talent in high tech fields here. Space exploration used to be the STEM education driver.
Mostly what I want is for people to view the videos (as many as you can stand) and vote.
The most popular video will be selected to promote STEM education by showing it to kids and/or their parents. I have not seen them all, but what I have seen are a mixed bag. The Collins video is a bit cute, but the subscale FA-18 with the wing coming off is real footage of a project I've worked on, and the flying car may be underway (we've worked on something similar).
The Raytheon video is very much on-target for STEM.
The P&G attempts to make science from a paper towel ad. Slick, but I think not an inspiration.
There is one by a satellite company that shows building a satellite, but then shows it being launched on a Russian Proton booster. That's a sad commentary on the need both for STEM education and for the market for new talent in high tech fields here. Space exploration used to be the STEM education driver.
Cool program, though I think the best thing that could ever happen for instilling a desire for sciences in a kids' mind is science fiction. Not the "everything is magic with no basis in reality" type, but the kind where things like that are possible. I mean, how many of you growing up in the 50's and 60's weren't inspired by the events and movies of that time?
And for those of us who are younger, who can't look at movies like Tucker, Aviator, Iron Man, October Sky (and a billion others), and not be inspired to go create something new? I mean, do you know how many pilots today are pilots because they watched Top Gun? Anthony Edwards was pissed because he'd get letters in the mail from kids and parents saying "I'm so happy, my son is enlisting in the Navy because of watching you in Top Gun!"
Movies are inspiring, they make people want to do things. Unfortunately, we've mostly made movies in Hollywood for the last few decades that are nothing but "America is evil", or "Western Civilization is evil".
Bill Whittle talks a lot about things like this in his Firewall series, www.declarationentertainment.com
And for those of us who are younger, who can't look at movies like Tucker, Aviator, Iron Man, October Sky (and a billion others), and not be inspired to go create something new? I mean, do you know how many pilots today are pilots because they watched Top Gun? Anthony Edwards was pissed because he'd get letters in the mail from kids and parents saying "I'm so happy, my son is enlisting in the Navy because of watching you in Top Gun!"
Movies are inspiring, they make people want to do things. Unfortunately, we've mostly made movies in Hollywood for the last few decades that are nothing but "America is evil", or "Western Civilization is evil".
Bill Whittle talks a lot about things like this in his Firewall series, www.declarationentertainment.com
Ah, actually, I believe the first comic book I ever bought was an Iron Man, back in the 60's, when he still had his first suit. The function was attributed to "powerful transistors," and it got me interested in electronics. Never mind transistors are not a power source.
Both Spiderman and Iron Man are inventors, which was a core fantasy for me as a kid. And still is. This is a key to getting kids in to STEM, and a reason why Farnsworth Fusors caught on as science projects. There is something way cool about actually owning, using, and knowing the principles behind Walter Mitty's poketa-poketa machines.
Both Spiderman and Iron Man are inventors, which was a core fantasy for me as a kid. And still is. This is a key to getting kids in to STEM, and a reason why Farnsworth Fusors caught on as science projects. There is something way cool about actually owning, using, and knowing the principles behind Walter Mitty's poketa-poketa machines.