What is Engineering? An Introduction for Teens

Completed by 166 learners

Ages 13-18

Live One-Time Class

Discover more about engineering by asking your questions!

Ian Nelson

Average rating:

4.7

Number of reviews:

(2,522 reviews)

Live video meetings

Meets once

1-8 learners per class

50 min

About Learning Overview Teacher Reviews

What's included

1 live meeting

50 mins in-class hours

Class Experience

US Grade 8 - 11

In this introductory class, we will be talking all about engineering. Students are encouraged to bring their questions during this live workshop. We'll conduct our discussion in the "Ask Me Anything" format.

This workshop is targeted towards teenagers. We'll talk about how engineers solve problems, why math and science are important for engineering, why there are so many different kinds of engineering, how engineers work together on teams with other people, why it's important for engineers to deal with frustration and designs that don't work, how an engineer knows when they have a "good" design, and how a person becomes an engineer.

By the end of our time together, I hope that students will have a better idea of what engineering is all about. My goal during the workshop is to help every student identify an engineering challenge that's interesting to them so they can continue exploring engineering.

Other Details

Supply List

Learners should bring index cards to the workshop so they can participate in a hands-on design activity. Students will receive a pdf guide to exploring engineering highlighting different opportunities available for teenagers.

External Resources

Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Meet the teacher

Ian Nelson

Joined October, 2017

4.7

2522reviews

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

Hello! I'm an engineer committed to giving students amazing experiences in math, science, and engineering. I believe that learning happens when kids ask questions and explore their interests. I look forward to helping your kids leverage their curiosity and see math, science, and engineering at work in the world around them.

I purposefully design classes around real-world projects to engage students more deeply in learning. I believe that kids learn best when they have the opportunity to create. As much as is possible, I encourage students to use their hands and build their own models. 

As a kid, I was constantly looking for new experiences with math, science, and engineering. I conducted every experiment from Mr. Wizard's Supermarket Science and begged my parents for more math practice. I took all the advanced math and science course offered by my high school, attended Space Academy and Advanced Space Academy, competed in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair three years in a row, was a semi-finalist in the Science Talent Search, and graduated magna cum laude from Boston University while majoring in mechanical engineering. I also hold a MS in Engineering Education from Purdue University.

I currently teach math, science, and engineering courses to kids ages 6 and up. When I'm not teaching, I love to play with my cat, curl up with a good book, visit historic places, or watch a movie.

If you have any thoughts about a class you wish I would offer or a time you hope I can schedule a class, please send me a message. All of my best teaching ideas have come directly from my students as we learn and explore together.