Any ideas for a child that wants to learn engineering?

amother

Lightcyan ↓

Thu, Nov 21 2024, 4:57 am

OP maybe if you post your location, imas can point you to extracurriculars in your area that you might not necessarily know of.

When I was in HS, my school started using the CIJE curriculum for programming/engineering, and it was the best year of my life!! I think the company we used for the program and materials has self taught courses too, you can check it out. https://projecthub.arduino.cc/. Lots of circuits and wires, programming lightbulbs, sensors, and motors. At the end of the year we had a contest and had to build an invention with all the different things we learned. It was so cool!

amother

↑ OP ↓

Thu, Nov 21 2024, 7:20 am

amother Lightcyan wrote:

This link sounds really interesting! He loves the screen thing and it looks like there's so much potential on that site.
Thanks!

amother

↑ OP ↓

Thu, Nov 21 2024, 7:24 am

amother Mayflower wrote:

Ok. I guess I don’t see the difference between programming at a computer or playing music on a keyboard. They sound very similar…

For me I love programming. I’m a software engineer I do it all day at work and it pulls me at night. I find it highly enjoyable.

I do think at some point he's going to have enough patience for that. Right now he comes home like a bird that was held captive all day.

I mentioned music for my other kids. He doesn't have the patience to sit and learn a music piece.
Hence the thread:)

amother

↑ OP ↓

Thu, Nov 21 2024, 7:26 am

amother Mayflower wrote:

What about sewing?

You're making sense.
I didn't think of it but he would love it since it's working on a machine and I can guide him!

I can do a huge stuffed bear type of project so it's adventurous enough for his exploratory nature.

Thanks!

amother

Lily ↓

Thu, Nov 21 2024, 7:27 am

Op, he sounds really smart in this area. Have you considered looking into what colleges are good for engineering and start now toward setting him up to get into such a college? Meaning, looking at prerequisites that he would need (I assume lots of math). If his school doesn't teach it or doesn't teach it well, consider getting him a private tutor now so that he'll really be able to shine when he gets there.

amother

Forsythia

Thu, Nov 21 2024, 7:32 am

If you live in lakewood, bright site teaches coding to kids. There are 4000+ piece building sets on Amazon with mini Lego blocks (not Lego brand) that my son loves and it takes him a while to finish building one. Also, you can get a 3d printer and use a program for him to design his own models.

honey36 ↓

Thu, Nov 21 2024, 7:37 am

you can ask if anyone you know has any old broken junk they want to throw out and give it to him to tinker with- I would just have him speak to an electrician about safety first for the electrical stuff
Old broken phones
Laptops
Bikes
Remote control cars or other toys that have many parts
Small kitchen appliances and mixers
Electric kettles/hot water urns
That's just of the top of my head, but the possibilities are endless.

He can take them apart and put them back together. Zero cost!

amother

↑ Lily

Thu, Nov 21 2024, 7:38 am

Also not a project but I checked to see if Khan academy does a course in engineering and it seems that it does.

In googling that, I also found this thread (from 10yrs ago) that seems to have a lot of links for engineering resources. The op is asking for ELI5 resources, which means "explain like I'm 5(yo)". I'm not sure if these are way too advanced for your son regardless because they are engineering students, but maybe you can look into them and see if he'd like it.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Engin.....55453

I suppose you can always also post your question in a group like that. Engineering students are probably not too far away from your son's age, and they might know exactly what he would want.

amother

↑ Lightcyan

Thu, Nov 21 2024, 7:39 am

honey36 wrote:

Yes! One of my brothers is super handy, and he makes $$ in yeshiva by fixing watches, mp3 players, cameras, etc. One year for his afikoman he asked for a watch repair kit, which comes with tiny screwdrivers etc. Could be he watched some youtube tutorials about basic watch repairs, but he's really talented in this area bh.

amother

IndianRed

Thu, Nov 21 2024, 7:42 am

Is there a yeshiva in your area for boys with more energy? If yes, there might be some boys there who would love to work with your son and teach him things. Some of these guys are very tichtig, and can be a great role model. But you’d need to speak to the rosh yeshiva to find a good fit.

↑ honey36

Thu, Nov 21 2024, 7:56 am

Also just a thought for the future. I'm pretty sure most engineering programs specifically these days are sitting in front of a computer a lot of the time so just be open to other ideas that might suit him if he likes to work with his hands more.

Car mechanic
Electrician
Plumber
Etc.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Thu, Nov 21 2024, 8:46 am

amother Lily wrote:

I do not allow him to be on the computer because he ends up playing cooking fever and such kind of things but if I know of something light that will educate him in this field then I would reconsider.

↑ giftedmom

Thu, Nov 21 2024, 8:49 am

amother OP wrote:

Thanks I never tried it yet.

As I'm responding to all these posts I realize I really want someone to teach him how to build.

Hes so good with his hands. I would pay someone to teach him how to make shelving molding etc. I wish.

There are woodworking sets. But try to network and see if someone in the line would do this as a side job.

amother

↑ Mayflower

Thu, Nov 21 2024, 8:52 am

amother OP wrote:

My dd is a similar age and took a course and is making her own stuff all day. It’s a creative outlet that really makes you think and the possibilities are endless.

He can also make something like a duffle bag. It’s a good starting point and feels good to make something useful. It also makes sewing less ‘girly’.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Thu, Nov 21 2024, 8:59 am

honey36 wrote:

He would love to be a mechanic or electrician. Something where you need to figure out and problem solve.

I would love if someone teaches him now but it seems like all the programs available for kids are music learning etc etc.

bestme

Thu, Nov 21 2024, 8:59 am

If you put in Amazon watch fixing kit then you could find many watch fixing kits. He might like that. If you have a nice watch repair shop near you then you could ask the man if your son could help out once a week fixing and learning watches. You will will have to pay the man to let your son be there and help but your son could learn it probably very fast.

amother

↑ OP

Thu, Nov 21 2024, 9:00 am

amother IndianRed wrote:

There is a yeshiva like that next to me. I am sure they would all love to come over and do this but I am not sure I want him in everyone's company.

I would have to screen them. Ok but it is a good idea.
Thanks

Deep Blue

Fri, Nov 22 2024, 11:25 am

Have you checked the public library for books with STEM projects?
I understand that you are looking for more, but until you find something, or as a filler, these can be very helpful. Books are great for really learning and practicing, but they can also be just for interest or ideas. I once took out a book about how to build a house from scratch with step by step photos!