[Edu-sig] Low Enrollments

[Kirby Urner]

> Kirby is in better touch with the pulse of things back in Oregon now than
> I am. Hopefully he has witnessed a rebound, hopefully things have gotten
> better. But I believe there really was a dip in the 1990's.
> 

Not sure about a rebound yet.  Free Geek (freegeek.org) has been an
important influence in Greater Portland, in getting a lot of kids through
the Build Program and onto Linux.  

I think that's a good route, as the Build Program is also about recycling
and community service.  Plus it's very hands on and Free Geek has way of
making technology accessible -- lots of interesting junk to play with,
friendly people to answer questions.  I often see lots of kids there
(including last Tuesday -- for our Portland Python Interest Group meeting).

More NGOs like Free Geek are sorely needed IMO if only to cut down on
recyclable stuff going to landfills.

I have two blog entries of possible interest on this theme (each fairly
short).

This very recent entry re Saturday Academy summarizes a 20 year attempt to
recruit more native engineering talent in Oregon (mentions "work ethic"):

http://worldgame.blogspot.com/2005/10/saturday-academy.html

And then there's this older one about a visit from Dr. Wulf, president of
the National Academy of Engineering (about creativity):

http://mybizmo.blogspot.com/2005/04/last-isepp-lecture-2005.html

howtoons.org and Make: Magazine (O'Reilly) represent attempts to counter
technophobia among the young.  

Probably another factor behind technophobia is fewer teens work on their own
cars anymore (engines have gotten more complicated), plus we don't fix so
much as replace electronic components (there's less to repair).

Another take:
http://chronicle.com/forums/colloquy/read.php?f=1&i=5123&t=5092 

That's me replying to Chris Stephenson, head of Computer Science Teachers
Association, his post being here:
http://chronicle.com/forums/colloquy/read.php?f=1&i=5109&t=5092 

(The article we're referring to is I think only available to subscribers)

Kirby