> I never took an electronics or computer course in my life.
Same! One of my favourite things about these fields is that you can take the time and learn everything you need to know just by looking at the internet.
> I had a plan to work with kids after school to collect data in the field and analyze it on computers with open source software, and give them a CD/DVD to take home (it was that long ago) and give them access from home. Pride of ownership. "This is my work".
This sounds really interesting. Why did it not work out? I think pride of ownership is an important aspect of this so keen to take any learnings.
> Many kids aren't self-teachers Totally agree, the aim here is to get away from 'looking at random blogs for 4 hours' to building your first project. Then introduce them to trawling the internet for arcan knowledge slowly ;)
1. I have found internet sources of information byte-sized, disconnected, and incoherent. When people ask about books, I say that they have the "three C's," Continuity, Coherence and Context. Something about the internet seems to encourage foraging over farming, but that might just reflect my current internet habits.
2. I never ran into a partner to help start and grow the idea.
3. "Packaging" is important. Nothing real happens for free. We all knew this when we bought parts or kits. The internet has its downsides. Long story short, just helping people take time away from it can be beneficial. The lure and benefits have to outweigh the costs. I personally got payback, albeit modest, from every kit built and every bit of learning, sooner or later. The "This is fun" aspect might call for a community of users or a mentor of sorts. I have been tech help for a lot of people over time, and honestly, there's no comparison between phone and text messages (still doing it) and "being there", and that is/was key on the after-school idea. Do what works for you and your young (or old) customers.
STEM before there was STEM. :-)
I had a plan to work with kids after school to collect data in the field and analyze it on computers with open source software, and give them a CD/DVD to take home (it was that long ago) and give them access from home. Pride of ownership. "This is my work".
I am interested in how this can be implemented. Many kids aren't self-teachers, and will need some and they will need some guidance, i.e. proof and reinforcement, especially that "how to solder" part, if it comes up.