Dr. Darryl Baynes, founder and president of Interactive Science Programs, spoke with engineering.com at the USA Science and Engineering Festival about engaging students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields.
Baynes has seen how exciting science demonstrations can help get young people interested in STEM.
“Nothing says science more than blowing stuff up,” he said. “Once you get them interested, then you have the ability to talk to them about the other little intricate parts of science that may not be quite as exciting but are still important.”
He believes teaching STEM subjects through hands-on activities will help close the gender and diversity gaps in those fields—particularly in middle school, when girls start to show less interest in science. He also noted how important it is for students to see someone from their background talking about STEM: Baynes never had a mentor who looked like him.
Baynes then demonstrated the kinds of activities he uses to get kids to think about and get inspired by science. For example, he used a balloon and a plastic juice bottle—and some magic tricks—to illustrate air pressure concepts.
Baynes talked about how today’s STEM students will shape our future, from time travel to supersonic aircraft that won’t trigger a sonic boom. He stressed how learning STEM subjects will help young people thrive in the workplace of the future. Those skills will help them move with the ebb and flow of technological development.
Read more about Dr. Baynes’ science education work at Interactive Science Programs.