Promoting STEM to Kids - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: StatsCan
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 04, 2015, 06:03:40 pm
content: Hi All,Long time EEVblog fan, first time poster.I've been contemplating the idea of starting a non-profit organization as a full time occupation. I like my current job, as far as jobs go, but I feel like I'm not making much impact on the world, only a part in a corporate machine. What I would like to do is offer introductory to hobby level classes to kids between around 10 - 16 years of age. I figure I'd have to rent a space, and set up a classroom for about 10 students at a time. I'd also like to have a small storefront with all the electronics hobby essentials, and offer used scopes, meters etc. to make it affordable for young people getting into electronics. Maybe I would also offer some other stuff too, like model rocketry. (I have training and background in aviation and electronics. I've also done some training for adults.) As a non-profit, I would be able to accept charitable donations too.I find that the local electronics components store has plenty of items for sale, but the sales people have no knowledge or passion for electronics. They are not able to discuss a project or offer advice.I'm not looking to become wealthy from this, I would just want it to be self sustaining - as long as I can make a reasonable salary (comparable to what I make as a electronics repair tech.) I would be satisfied. Of course I would also have to pay some staff.I am looking for opinions on this idea. On one hand, I can see that parents often want their kids to experience new things, especially that which they think may offer their kids future opportunity. I've also seen that while some kids are super keen to learn and do new things, many (most?) are only interested in playing videogames or things that offer immediate gratification. They want instant results. I fully realize that many who might come for a class may not like it and won't continue in electronics. My hope is to inspire and offer support to those who do want to advance. I just wonder if it is reasonable for kids to sit through an explanation of ohms law or logic gates.I'd do things like put their projects on display in the store and on a website. Maybe a "community junk box" where one can deposit old boards or assemblies, and take ones that interest them (for free). Perhaps that would bring people into the store. I'd also like to offer some encouragement and guidance. If someone brings in a project, and needs technical advice, I could offer it or show them where to find the info.Let me hear your opinions. Is this idea a pipe dream? Have I missed something important? Constructive criticism is welcome!Thanks!StatsCan

author: FireFlower
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2015, 06:40:22 pm
content: Depends on a little bit, I would imagine you should probably start it as part time first with specialized open hours and if it could keep you fed and you closely start full timing it.I would also imagine to sell used meters and such you would have to make some contracts companies to be able purchase their old meters, broken, uncalibrated, partially working, or fully working for free or very cheap price for refurbishing and selling with profit and price that customers find fair enough. If you want pretty stable profits, then try purchase used company laptops, monitors and desktops (Lenovos, HP etc) and refurbish them and sell them with some profits. Computers sell like hot butter as 2nd hand when they are refurbished properly, have professional frames and equipment inside with nice price compared to new one.I know one local good electronic shop here that works almost like you have described but they don't have lessons kids (well at least I haven't tried out do they do courses likes these). They have nice storage but stuff doesn't move that fast, so you might have huge amount of money in storage that are not selling with reasonable speed.So it depends on a lot can you offer better prices, service to customers and have items they need / want fast enough or in storage then running courses for kids sounds a lot work involved but it probably will keep you fed with good company strategy.But take my opinions with some salt because I have never started a company myself nor I have made courses for 10-16 year old

author: rollatorwieltje
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 04, 2015, 08:05:54 pm
content: Can't you involve your employer in this? The company I work for actually organizes engineering workshops for kids in that age bracket, in cooperation with a local school. The company provides the space and equipment, the classes are given voluntarily by several employees with help from the school teachers. Last time they did a course on mechanical advantage by reusing several bicycle parts.

author: fivefish
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2015, 09:07:46 pm
content: Some random ramblings...Full time job? Practically speaking, the numbers/income will probably be hard to realize to do this full time if student fees are your only source of income. Paid staff? may be a pipe dream. Volunteer staff? Good possibility. (retired people, college students, etc)Why don't you contact your area's Science Museum (or something similar, public high schools/middle schoos/colleges?), setup workshops (1 day, or 1 month every Saturday workshop) and ask for a small fee from attendees. See if there's enough interest. i.e. paying interest!Background check. If you have volunteers working with kids/teens, be mindful of sexual predators. Do bkgd checks on volunteers. It's sad, but that's the reality.See if there's a robotics club in your area (or related-field organization), and join and give lectures... at least build up some references, experiences and name brand recognition as an expert. If people see you're very good, then they may want to attend more advance classes in your own facility (if ever you come to that point).

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2015, 06:45:01 am
content: Form your own hackerspace, you won't get rich (well maybe you can depending on the area) but for what I see you are describing sounds a lot like a hackerspace.