Engineering - hottest career, more than Rock Star

[Siri]

Well of course it is, what's the question?

I perceive this sort of as two separate queries: why should we send our kids here, and can they handle it (don't all scientists need to be from Lincolnshire)?

Why should we send our kids to the STEM Academy?
It's Important/Cool: (I assume you're not looking for "come if they like STEM".) Engineers make all the important stuff we use, scientists figure out the important stuff we need, mathematicians prove the important stuff we have to know, and technologists make the important stuff work. That's a pretty significant thing to be a part of, and it means STEM will always be necessary and cutting-edge interesting. (Feel free to interchange "important" and "cool" by demographic, or possibly drop the modifier all together.)

Wide Applicability/Broad Horizons: This is a very hands-on, project-oriented environment which contrasts with most other high school experiences and will put your kids light-years ahead in college. In fact, even if they decide not to pursue STEM in college, the "soft skills" they've developed will benefit them throughout their education and their life.

Great Careers: Of today's 20 fastest-growing careers, 19 are STEM-related. Of the 30 highest-paying careers, all but 6 of them are STEM-based. STEM professionals actually create wealth, and the world will always need them (and pay them). I know that's are pretty dry (though not entirely un-compelling); it might be useful to have a then-and-now alumni recap. (Of course the Academy doesn't have alumni, but I hear DASD has some outstanding extra-curricular STEM programs, wonder what they are...)

Don't they need to be utter geniuses/won't this be too hard?
Certainly not. This isn't a "weed out" program, it's a highly effective (hands-on, fun, creative, etc) method of teaching your kids what they want to learn in the way they want to learn it. [I'm pretty sure this isn't an over-statement, though I don't think Program has finalized the admission requirements yet.]


On another note, if our students get it, why not ask them how'd they sell it?* Granted, half their parents will be there working when you ask them, and more than half the kids will want to smack me for the extra work, but I'll take the hit if you think it's worth testing their acting abilities. Come to think of it, parents may have something to say themselves (as parents, STEMers, and former childhood dreamers).
Basically, my point is that despite every kid's rock star dream, I wonder if personal isn't better. We all tell our parents and mentors we want to be rock stars, but in reality we just want to be the people we're talking to. If you want examples--as cool as Westwind is--I'd start there. I mean, I'm no parent, but if you were trying to convince me to go to STEM, I think five minutes talking with Clem [1640's head FRC mentor] would be infinitely more convincing than five minutes of reading Dean's Wikipedia page.


* Yes, yes, suggester goes first. If I was five years younger and trying to convince my mom to send me to STEM, I'd say that engineering makes me feel like I'm doing something--primarily because I am doing something. It lets me embody who I am and who I want to be in something that can really help people. It lets me imagine and actually interact with the world, in way without which I'd feel entirely unfulfilled. It lets me get to know people not just for what they say or even how they act, but for what they do and how they think--or rather what we can do and think together. The Academy would give me a chance to do that at school, in essence as my job, for four years, and then go on to college where I’d already have those skills and experiences to build on. Probably too individual an explanation from someone too obsessed to understand non-STEM addictions, but then again my mom's pretty easy to convince.