Youth & Education - Dr. Frances Mills-Yerger [CITYSunTimes January 2010]

Building High-Tech Skills In Students

Teaching students STEM skills – skills in science, technology, engineering and math – could be the formula for their future success.
Still, American 12th graders ranked near the bottom in math and science scores when compared to students overseas, according to a report from Business Roundtable. Additionally, many schools report a lack of student interest in STEM education.
Experts say the trend could leave children at a disadvantage when it comes time to compete for jobs – and that a lack of STEM education could threaten America’s role in the global marketplace.

Building Important Skills

Fortunately, there are a number of ways by which parents and teachers can help children develop STEM skills from an early age. Try these tips:
• Bring young children to museums or for walks in the woods to spark an interest in science and nature.
• Let kids measure ingredients while you cook to provide a quick math lesson.
• Encourage children to develop problem-solving skills by asking them questions about their environment.

Keeping It Fun

Parents and kids can also visit connectamillionminds.com and use a ZIP code search feature that connects students to STEM learning opportunities in the community. Additionally, the site features video case studies of inventors and technologists talking about their projects, as well as photos and narratives about their STEM experiences.
Among the first inventors to post on the site were volunteer coordinators of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a nonprofit organization that inspires young people to be science and technology leaders.
The site is part of a five-year, $100 million initiative from Time Warner Cable called Connect a Million Minds. The project is meant to inspire students by connecting them with hands-on, after-school opportunities to experience STEM in nontraditional ways.

For more information, visit connectamillionminds.com.

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CITYSunTimes Web Exclusives March 2010
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YOUTH & EDUCATION

Kids Online: Is It Really A Waste Of Time?

By Frances Mills-Yerger, Ph.D.

Many parents complain about the time their kids spend on the Internet, cell phones, in front of the television, play stations, etc. As with all inventions that transform the way we communicate, there are great advantages and there are downsides. If you become aware of both sides, then you can understand and maximize the benefits.
Today, the vast majority of kids in Western countries have access to the Internet. A recent survey by the USC Annenberg Center for the Digital Future Report has been tracking steadily rising concerns about the amount of time kids and teens spend online. In 2000, just 11 percent of responders said family members under 18 were spending too much time online, and by 2008 the concern had grown to 28 percent. The percentage has nearly tripled which is a real concern for many parents.
Kids do not always realize that what they post online can be seen by more than just their friends; it is hard to take down and can spread to lots more people. They may be asked to join a club, participate in cyber-bullying, meet a friend or make contact with a person who is seeking to develop an inappropriate relationship. Some sites produce propaganda regarding religious and ethnic groups, sexual porn, popularized dysfunctional behaviors (how to commit suicide, cutting, etc.), gun availability and other issues, which parents may prefer to discuss individually with their children.
The MacArthur Foundation investigated the effect of digital media on how youth learn, play, socialize and participate in civic life. In their report, 83 percent of youth between ages eight and 18 play video games regularly; nearly 75 percent use instant messaging; and on atypical day more than half of U.S. teens use a computer and use websites like My Space and Facebook, sharing photos, videos, music, ideas and opinions online, connecting with a large group of peers in new ways. The new term “participatory culture” has resulted, as they learn from their peers and look for information they are interested in and connect with others.
Information and technology are the wave of the future and your kids need to be knowledgeable, but parents can make sure they learn to use it in a positive way. It is up to us parents to provide guidance and supervision to make sure our kids are reaping the benefits. It calls us to tune in and pay attention as to how much time is being spent and even put the computers in a common area of the house. Take the time to become familiar with all the aspects of the Internet and how technology can strengthen the parent-child relationship. Ask your teen to show you his online profile and teach him about privacy. By teaching responsible behavior and establishing rules, parents will enable their kids and teens to reap the considerable benefits available on the Internet.

	Frances Mills-Yerger, Ph.D. is a retired marriage and family therapist and is the founder, facilitator and program director of Workshops for Youth and Family based in Scottsdale, where she inspires confidence-building character through workshops. For information , visit orho.org or call 480.882.6011.

YOUTH & EDUCATION Web Exclusives | CITYSunTimes March 2010