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:
http://pbskids.org/designsquad/parentseducators/do
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 Engine eri ng Com m unit y
a
- ItÕs challenge
- Go for it! ItÕsdifficult but rewarding
- Use math & s cience 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 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/
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