Building? Building what?

As I 'build' my website, ready for the STEM-Revolution, I am reminded of the word 'build'. Seeing that I have adopted the slogan, 'Think, design, then build!', I can assume that I need to truly understand the definition of this word.

What do we build? Everything? Just houses? What about knowledge? If you read the 'About' pages on my site, you will notice that most of my interests, for there is a lot, have an essence of building about them. The creation of anything is paramount to human progress. Every new lesson that is offered to a young child, or just the refreshing feeling of holding your new mobile phone, are all 'built' feelings or ideas at some stage in their processes.

Google Definition Search - 8th April '2017

build

bɪld/

verb

1. 1. 

   construct (something) by putting parts or material together.

   "the ironworks were built in 1736"

   synonyms:

   construct, erect, put up, assemble, set up, raise More

2. 2. 

   make or become stronger or more intense.

   "we built up confidence in our abilities"

   synonyms:

   boost, strengthen, increase, improve, invigorate, augment, raise, intensify, enhance, escalate, multiply, swell;

So, looking at this, what can be noted? Even the second term describes it as size, strength etc. Moving past the obvious, we are constructing all of the time, and that makes me think!

What if we can use this as a means of STEM encouragement? Imagine that we have 10 people in a room, without gender being a focus, there would be at least 7 of those 10 that saw no interest in the creation of structures or everyday items. This could be out of bricks made from clay or plastic, it wouldn't really matter. So, can we take, from those 7, some creativity? If I am stating that we ALL build in different ways, then surely each of those do too?

It's an odd concept, but I am sure that there is a shred of plausibility in this concept. With that, I am going to produce a basic survey, a simple click of a radio button will suffice. Let's look for the smallest of creativity in all, we may even find a small number that find a niche in a role that is much needed to be filled. 

What are your opinions? Fill out the survey dots for me, you will find it in the research tab in the menu. 

This post has been written by Gavyn Rudd, Operator of @beingSTEM. You can find out more, register to be an Insider, or just say hello at www.beingstem.uk. @beingSTEM - Think, design, then build!

How 3D printing could change STEM in Primary Schools

Engineering is a difficult subject to teach in Primary education. The lack of resources and space will keep any Science to a minimum, often following the plan that has been set down by others.

With a keen eye, you can spot some areas that STEM can be championed. With obvious ideas like a design festival or weekly challenge, there is little room for manoeuvre beyond that. We can find small tears in the school timetable, ways that are so subtle, they don't appear to exist.

Teachers have become akin to the cross-curricular possibilities, moving Literacy into their learning journeys and Mathematics into Design and Technology. This is quite simple. The fact that number work can be used in Design is quite obvious, creating writing opportunities for topics is normal too, what about the Engineering aspects from STEM?

So, what am I aiming for here? With the challenge of finding new engineers to fill the void, the heat is rising to a point where society will suffer. I have always been eager to see children given the chance to try out new ideas that spark those that are drawn to it. Tasks that are new and innovative, work like a radar, locating these individuals for teachers to hone in on.

3D printers are an incredible innovation. It is likely that they could work as one of those radars in Primary. Imagine that children are given the chance to plan, design and watch the layers of their creation grow. They look upon it like a god, waiting for the filament to form a little soldier, car or dinosaur. This concept is possible, the reality is that the draw of such a new technology will lead those to swarm toward it. With the likelihood of 3D printing becoming a 'normal' skill, just like computers in the 90s, there is a ticking clock for those that will inevitably move into an engineering field.

School could operate a share in a printer, grants or funding could purchase one of them. With minor tuition, there is little for teachers to learn about them. The future is definitely bright, 3D printers are now moving over to full-size construction, filament being exchanged for a flow of concrete. Imagine the possibilities, the creation of usable cars or a cheap way to produce shelter for those in need.

TinkerCAD - A free 3D design studio by Local Makers.

What could happen to the future if we were able to offer this or other technologies? With the price of these printers falling, the existing laptops will manage the software. Free downloads are available, so licensing is not a major issue. I hope that we can see this right now, whilst targeting those in the zone, we can be changing everybody's future for the better.

Extreme? What do you think? With funding being tight, we need to find these opportunities as the prices fall. Until next time...