There is a test called the Lemelson-MIT Invention Index which gauges Americans attitudes towards inventions and innovations. In their most recent study, they have found that American teens have an important need for more project-based learning in their high schools. The teens really believe that they can invent solutions to some of the worlds most pressing challenges. The trouble is that many of them say they feel they are unprepared for careers in technology and engineering.
Nearly 72 percent of the teens believe that innovations can solve things such as global warming, water pollution and fossil fuel depletion. 64 percent of those teens said they are confident they could invent some of these very innovations which compares to only 38 percent of adults who feel they could invent something of the same.
What I thought was interesting is the ethnic groups among the teens, three-quarters of them were Asian teens (73 percent) and Hispanic teens (75 percent) believe they are the ones who could invent something to protect and restore the environment. Besides that, two-thirds of African-American teens (61 percent), and 64 percent of Caucasian teens and 64 percent teen girls share the same belief.
When you read the news regarding politics, you find that many teens are getting involved and supporting the candidates, who stand behind environmental issues such as global warming, water and air pollution, etc.
However, the problem with the above inventions and beliefs is that a vast majority of teens (79 percent) believe that there is much value in hands on projects in classes such as science, technology, engineering and math. The students want to get their hands dirty and invent and they want more funding for these types of programs. They say hands on learning are the same as playing in sports. Many adults do not feel that there are candidates who represent this same belief of the students that more funding is needed for this in school.
We owe it to our students to prepare them for today's society and the future to come and we must and should start giving them the tools and letting them practice and learn using them now.
Nearly 72 percent of the teens believe that innovations can solve things such as global warming, water pollution and fossil fuel depletion. 64 percent of those teens said they are confident they could invent some of these very innovations which compares to only 38 percent of adults who feel they could invent something of the same.
What I thought was interesting is the ethnic groups among the teens, three-quarters of them were Asian teens (73 percent) and Hispanic teens (75 percent) believe they are the ones who could invent something to protect and restore the environment. Besides that, two-thirds of African-American teens (61 percent), and 64 percent of Caucasian teens and 64 percent teen girls share the same belief.
When you read the news regarding politics, you find that many teens are getting involved and supporting the candidates, who stand behind environmental issues such as global warming, water and air pollution, etc.
However, the problem with the above inventions and beliefs is that a vast majority of teens (79 percent) believe that there is much value in hands on projects in classes such as science, technology, engineering and math. The students want to get their hands dirty and invent and they want more funding for these types of programs. They say hands on learning are the same as playing in sports. Many adults do not feel that there are candidates who represent this same belief of the students that more funding is needed for this in school.
We owe it to our students to prepare them for today's society and the future to come and we must and should start giving them the tools and letting them practice and learn using them now.
Teens Want Project Based Learning in High School
![Teens Want Project Based Learning in High School]()
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December 21, 2018
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