Things Engineers Like: Amusement Parks
The foundation of all of the disciplines of engineering is mathematics and science. So how can the education system help persuade more students to pursue the career path of engineering? There has to mix of having fun but still hint that it's still hard work. I remember how the junior high school, that I attended, stressed the importance of mathematics and science; the school did it with a trip.
The reward of doing well in science and mathematics (Usually recommended by the teachers) was a trip to an amusement park, Canobie Lake! But those who were in the Science Club and participated in Science Olympiad (A science competition with various events) would be automatically qualified to attend Science Day to Canobie Lake. It was definitely a motivation for students to do well throughout the entire academic year. One year, I spun a tea-pot like ride so fast that the friend riding with me vomited all over! (The vomit didn't get on me. Thanks centripetal force!)
Similarly to junior high, my high school also had a trip to an amusement park (called Physics Day); this time to Riverside (now known as Six Flags New England). But this time, it wasn't all fun and games all day. Students would have to figure out gravitational forces, angles, and other measurements of various rides but it wasn't difficult to complete the assignment. It was a good time and great reward while seeing how physics is truly applied (which wasn't done very well throughout my public school career). To be truthful, I'm afraid of heights so I didn't go on all of the rides but I was good at the amusement park prize games! (That's all about physics right? Apply just the right amount of force)
From those from Rhode Island, do you remember Rocky Point Amusement Park?! I remember taking a few trips to the park with my parents and siblings. My parents don't enjoy going on roller-coasters either. I remember my brother went off by himself and had to pretend that he was accompanied by the adults in front of him in the line in order to ride the roller-coaster. I also think my fear of heights originated on the Farris Wheel at Rocky Point (if not the Log Flume that my father forced me to ride with him). It's so sad it closed in the mid nineties.
And what kid didn't love that game of Sim Theme Park?!