Fun software helps wannabe engineers build skills at home

I work with science fair organisations quite a bit and last year I awarded US$2,000 to budding student scientists. The young fellow I chose for a special US$1,000 award in the marine technology senior division (Aaron Golden) later went on to win more than US$250,000 in cash and scholarships.

Aaron won't have trouble getting into any university he chooses, or getting the job he wants when he graduates. But he is unique.

Smart students everywhere need to be aware of three impending situations. First, colleges are turning down top students in droves. For every course seat open, there are four students looking to fill it. At the same time, colleges are claiming that they are having trouble staying in business and don't see a lot of future students heading for higher learning. One of their cost-saving techniques is to lay off professors and eliminate courses, making what was a four-year course into a five or six-year programme.

Second, there are substantially fewer students looking to become engineers and scientists. With the existing pool of science and engineering talent scheduled to retire within the next five years, there will be an incredible dearth of innovation, technology and cool gadgets.

The third thing students need to know is that engineers and scientists make tons of money. Engineers with a law degree in intellectual property are getting US$250,000 a year right out of school. Marine chief engineers are getting the same for six months of work.

That said, how do you develop an interest in becoming an engineer or scientist, or get your son or daughter to develop such an interest? The answer is simple. Find something that fascinates the student (cars, boats, stereos, software games or fishing rods) and help them build their idea of an improved version. Actually, help them build anything.