Second Graders Segway into the Field of Engineering
by Dee Savits
February 06, 2010
Who invented the soft soles of tennis shoes that don't leave scuff marks on the gym floor? Ask any second grader and they will be able to tell you a Materials Engineer.
The second graders recently pondered this question and many others during a visit from Camille and Nick of the Engineering Department at Iowa State University. The class learned that engineers work to find solutions to fix problems. From Aerospace to Electrical to Software Engineering, the class received an overview of the various engineering fields.
Camille and Nick demonstrated a Segway and explained how it works using a processor and a accelerometer. They pointed out several science and math concepts involved in its development and operation. They also explained that the topics the second graders are studying now are the same skills used by engineers when developing a project.
As an example, the balance concepts the second graders are learning in their current science unit, are also used by engineers when designing a safe car, or constructing a bridge, or planning a building, and the measurement skills second graders are practicing, would also be used when designing the Segway to fit an average person.
So "Why do we have to learn this stuff?" is not a question you will hear from the second graders. They know that this is the background they need for solving problems in the future, possibly as an engineer.
