This morning, my daughter watched a clever episode of “Cyberchase” – a wonderful TV show for kids through PBS.  The episode was all about gears and how gears make bicycles, trains, clocks, etc. go faster or slower.  

 Kids can learn a bit about multiplication, problem solving, process modification, teamworking, real world applications with a bicycle and even diversity.  My daughter chimed in just now with how the team saved their friend, teaching kids about bravery and courage too!

So what is my problem with “Cyberchase?” 

My problem: I did not hear the word “engineering” used at all.

This episode of Cyberchase was chock full of engineering – the multiplication, problem solving, process modification, teamworking, real world applications and even diversity form the crux of engineering.

How great it would have been to hear from the show “Now how can we re-engineer this gear set to make the train go faster?”

Young children do not know they are watching engineering in action unless the show tells them.  Why do we keep it a secret? 

I am confident that soon children’s TV will let them in on the little engineering secret.  Until then, I will let my children know and will keep blogging to let you know, too.

Do you have any educational TV shows to share?  Do they actually use terms related to engineering (ie, re-engineer, chief engineer, etc.?)

Recently, I purchased a Bluetooth wireless device for my cell phone.  My husband and I are experimenting to see if the Bluetooth can save us a chunk of change each month by using our cell phone for outgoing long distance calls.

My cell phone and Bluetooth ensemble

This Bluetooth is our first so I was a bit surprised when my 5 year-old daughter told me the other day “Just call her on your Bluetooth, Mom.”  I’m amazed at how quickly “Bluetooth” became a natural part of her vocabulary and world. She accepts it as readily as if it were a new teddy bear, while I’m still a bit unsure about “this thing.”

As I’m adjusting to my new way of telephoning, I also noted some unique opportunities to teach my kids about engineering, science and math.  The following activities would work great in a school setting, but are especially well-suited for a setting with homeschooling or home-enrichment (children attend school with parents enriching the kids learning at home.)

For younger children, you can:

** examine and discuss the size of the earpiece.  Let them try it in their ear.  Does it fit?  Then try it in your ear.  Whose ear does it fit better in? 

How do you think engineers know what size to make the earpiece?

**  turn on your bluetooth and cell phone. Set them to connect. Place the bluetooth in your ear and hand your cell phone to your children. Count how many steps (preferably in a straight line) you can take away from your cell phone before the bluetooth disconnects. 

Convert your steps to feet or measure with a measuring tape. Does the distance they calculated match the stated distance for that model of bluetooth? (type in the bluetooth name and model number on the web to find specs) 

 How do you think engineers decided on the distance? (no right or wrong answer here, just spark some brainstorming)

For older children:

a. research noise cancellation theory and its applications (bluetooth, stethoscope, etc.)

b. research wireless technology. When did it start?  Who first discovered it?

How do you help your children learn - through homeschooling or home enrichment?

What are some ways you could use the activities above in your teachings?

Illustrations for my book are complete!  Wanted to give you a sneak peek at 2 of them…

What do you think?