Designing Youth: Teens Engaging Children in Design Engineering

St Louis Science Center, Saint Louis MO

Investigators

Abstract

The project proposes to target substantial numbers of African-American, low-income youth to provide opportunities for academic and career advancement in science, math, engineering and technology (SMET). The project has three phases: Phase 1) meet at the science center each week while engaging in 5 learn and teach project cycles involving the design and building of simple technological devices; Phase 2) uses experienced science educators to help teens with additional inquiry science investigations; Phase 3) teens will visit design clubs at preselected after-school program sites. EDC will regularly develop curriculum booklets for three levels: entry, coach and experienced teachers level (abstract). SLSC will develop workplace competency materials to assist other science centers in teaching career confidence and qualities to teens, etc. A total of 240 participants will participant in the program.