TRAINING

Building a community committed to fostering a positive image of engineering

Photo: Emily Pratt

Photo: Anthony Tieuli

TV Show 36 Episodes25 Profiles42+ Animations

Web Site pbs.org/designsquad

Outreach CampaignPartnershipsEngineer and Informal

Educator TrainingsEvents and Workshops

A MULTIMEDIA PROJECT

• Sneak Peek

• Design Process & Educational Goals

• Pop Fly

• Today’s ‘Tweens

• D-Squad Pro File

• Resource Review

• Workshops & Events

• Get Involved!

TODAY’S AGENDA

SNEAK PEEK

Download 4 minute overview video clip at:http://pbskids.org/designsquad/parentseducators/download_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!

Goodman Research Group, Inc. October 2007

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!

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

‘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.”

TODAY’S TWEENS: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?

Go to EngineerYourLife.org for more info!

D-SQUAD PRO FILE

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

Educator’s Guide4 Units, 10 Activities

Event Guide5 Activities

Activity Guide5 Activities

RESOURCES

New! Teacher’s Guide3 Units, 7 Activities

NASA/Design Squad On the Moon6 Activities

Invent It, Build It6 Activities Available in Spanish.

Facilitate all four units in Educator’s Guide or Teacher’s Guide

2 to 3 Meetings

Choose an activity from any guide

Use one unit from Educator’s Guide or Teacher’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 ten activities in Event Guide or Activity Guide

Testing zone

Engineer profiles24 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

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

MAJOR FUNDING FOR DESIGN SQUAD

Additional funding provided by:

QUESTIONS?

Photo: Anthony Tieuli