Changing the Perception—Turning Kids on to Engineering
President Obama has said that the future of the American economy depends on a well-trained technology-oriented American workforce. The U.S. needs more engineers and President Obama has urged students to study engineering.
But how can young people be turned on to engineering?
A 2009 study by Duke University found that the American public has little understanding of the world of engineers. Yet when they recognize that engineers are working to solve many of the challenges our times—fighting disease, providing clean water, and supplying clean and affordable energy—their interest and respect for engineering grows dramatically.
And a study released in September 2009 by the National Academy of Engineering and the National Research Council calls for K-12 engineering education to increase student awareness of what engineers do and of engineering as a potential career, and to spur technological literacy, creativity and problem solving.
Those Amazing Engineers does just that. An engaging, lively, fun–to-read book aimed at 8- to 12-year olds, it shows kids the marvelous things that engineers do, and encourages them to consider a career in engineering.
Click here to find out about Those Amazing Engineers’ Adopt-a-School Program, and see how you can make a difference in the future of U.S. engineering.