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Role Models Directorate for Education and Human Resources Programs: Girl Scouts, Science and Mathematics Linkages for the Future, 1991 |
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When making presentations
to youth about your science or engineering career, remember these
tips...  Do not lecture to students. Use
a conversational tone when making your presentation. Use slides, overhead transparencies or a video to describe what you do on your job. Describe what your research is briefly but DO NOT GIVE A SEMINAR ON YOUR WORK! Talk about your job, what it entails,
what your typical day is like, and (if students are junior high
level or older) the salary range for persons in your field. Using an overhead projector or
a handout for students, list the math and science courses you
took in high school. Discuss how you financed your
college education. If you had an assistant ship or fellowship
in graduate school, explain what support it provided. Students
seldom know that graduate students in science and engineering
don't usually pick up the tab for their entire graduate education.
Discuss your lifestyle, including
martial status, children, vacations, car, etc. For most children
these characteristics mean more than do salary levels. Also,
it helps to dispel the very persistent myth that scientists and
engineers have no life outside of their work. Whenever possible, incorporate
a hands-on activity into your visit. Bringing a piece of equipment
(such as a stethoscope; plastic pipettes, litmus paper and household
items to test for acidity; telescope; surveying equipment; etc.)
and helping students to use it will create a lasting memory of
both you and your job! |