What would the world look like
if we were successful?
The Problem: Main Engine Start is a non-profit organization focused on addressing the real problem that not enough students are choosing to go into science and engineering as a course of study in school and in their careers. This IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM since innovation in science and engineering is the engine of our economic prosperity, the source of new jobs, determines our leadership position in the world, and our security. We are losing ground in all of these areas and have been for the last 20 years.
For example, through our collaborative work with Elementary and Middle School Teachers we go into their classrooms to do hands-on demonstrations for the students. In every class we’re struck by the number of students who look to us and say that they do not want to become scientists or engineers because “It’s too hard” or “I’m not good at math.” For example, maybe they are 9 or 10 years old! They don’t know that! Someone told them that - or they heard it through society.
Our Vision is to tap into this unrealized potential of these students who are ALREADY THERE - so that they discover their passion and aptitude for Science and Engineering as early as possible and get on a path towards a career in Science and Engineering from a very young age.
Our Mission is to do this by both providing unique hands-on project experiences, both inside and outside of class, where students solve real-world problems and by serving as the Launchpad for the next generation of Elementary School Teachers who are capable to teach science and engineering.
Our Plan: We do this by using a three-pronged approach:
First, we collaborate with current Elementary School Teachers to create unique hands-on demonstrations that get students in the classroom EXCITED about science and engineering – to eliminate that “FEAR” of science and engineering being hard!
Second, we engage College-age students in hands-on “Authentic Engineering Experience” projects where individual students, or small groups of 2-4 students, solve real-world problems. For example, our first project was to design and build an Energy-Generating Windmill for Duke Farms. The “Engineering Team” was our founder and “Sam”, the 11-year old son of our neighbor. They worked on this project for several months. SAM GAVE THE PRESENTATION to 15 Duke Farms Staff - as a part of an energy-generation training – where he clearly and concisely explained the overall project and his contributions from sanding, painting, assembling the windmill blades, to selecting the electric generator, and soldering over 200 electrical connections! Sam started the project unsure of himself and completed it brimming with self-confidence and ready to go onto the next project! He’s hooked! IT’S AS SIMPLE AS THAT!
The third prong scales the positive impact by providing financial scholarships to support the education of College Students who are pursuing a career to become Elementary School Teachers and also have an aptitude for teaching science and engineering. These scholarships will increase the number of science-capable teachers who can inspire and educate our youngest students in science and engineering on a daily basis!
Join Us!!: It is possible for someone to participate in this non-profit in multiple ways.
If you have a child, grandchild, niece or nephew – they may be able to participate directly in a hands-on project!
If you want to see an immediate and direct benefit, you can donate the cost of materials for a project where a few hundred dollars will cover all costs and transform a student into a Star!
A contribution to the scholarship will have the longer-term and broader impact of increasing the number of science-capable teachers who can inspire and educate our youngest students in science and engineering on a daily basis!
What do you think - where do you fit in?