I teach Physics in a low-income school in Oregon. All of my students are Juniors or Seniors who have already taken the other science classes in sequence (Bio and Chemistry). Students who take my class are usually dedicated and focused, but still struggle with the issues surrounding a low-income setting.
America graduates less than 8% of the world's engineers. This is significant when you consider how many jobs are opening up every year in the engineering and high tech sector. The labor department is predicting large growth in this area, even despite the current economic situation. Why are there so few engineers coming from America? Most students think of engineering as a lot of math and abstract concepts; very similar to what they typically experience in physics. Students who do choose to go into a high tech or engineering career almost all report that it was a hands-on experience that lead them to that choice. The typical physics class (a usual pre-engineering class) just doesn't have the money to support exciting hands on projects. Funds are limited and need to be spent on the necessities, not the hands-on experiences that students need.
Engineering and high-tech describes a wide range of jobs. My goal is to find a way to address as many as possible in an exciting way that will encourage students not only to go to college, but to pursue one of these careers. What better way to address the issue than robots? Robotics offer a way for students to experience mechanics, programming, design, research, and team work among other skills and areas. The kits I have picked out offer a way to bring all of the above and more to my students for years to come in one package. The resources available to teachers who use these kits are amazing and limitless. Many units from a typical physics class can be integrated into this one amazing and exciting hands-on package!
Your simple act of generosity will help direct many years of students to college and careers in what is possibly the most important careers of our future. With your help, we can bring that sad 8% of American engineers up to a better, more promising, number.
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