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Being a good influence
X3x3non
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I have a little sister (12 years old) that I see in the vacation when I return from university. My and my little sister have a very good relationship and I do believe that she very much looks up to me and I in turn am very proud of her. I do think that I am a good influence by studying hard and being an upright person, but there is one more thing that I want to do.
It was really only by good fortune and accident that I developed a passion for science and what it means for life. I was very fortunate to have a series of good high school teachers that were incredibly kind and inspiring, but I get the feeling that her experience is much more of a "grind." What really sparked my interest was biology class. The idea that all living things are made from cells and the principle of evolution has really changed the way I have looked at things ever since and it has been an incredibly enriching experience that has lead me to find a passion in many other subjects.
Now I would love to impart some of that passion on to her. It is not so much that I want her to learn cold hard facts, but much rather an appreciation for the subtleties of nature and the things around us. I just am not sure how to go about this as it is getting harder for me to imagine myself being 12 again. I wish I had some sort of text or guide or anything really that I could use to help me explain things to her. It certainly doesn't have to be science, it is just what I know most about. I just want to help her be passionate (I guess to the extent a kid can be) in something. Even if her school is shit I want her to know that the things she is learning about are actually very interesting.
It was really only by good fortune and accident that I developed a passion for science and what it means for life. I was very fortunate to have a series of good high school teachers that were incredibly kind and inspiring, but I get the feeling that her experience is much more of a "grind." What really sparked my interest was biology class. The idea that all living things are made from cells and the principle of evolution has really changed the way I have looked at things ever since and it has been an incredibly enriching experience that has lead me to find a passion in many other subjects.
Now I would love to impart some of that passion on to her. It is not so much that I want her to learn cold hard facts, but much rather an appreciation for the subtleties of nature and the things around us. I just am not sure how to go about this as it is getting harder for me to imagine myself being 12 again. I wish I had some sort of text or guide or anything really that I could use to help me explain things to her. It certainly doesn't have to be science, it is just what I know most about. I just want to help her be passionate (I guess to the extent a kid can be) in something. Even if her school is shit I want her to know that the things she is learning about are actually very interesting.
X3x3non on
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If that's a bit too hardcore sciencey for your sister, is there anything interesting near you? A museum, a butterfly house, somewhere with exotic plant species? I'm not sure if you have anything like TechniQuest where you are, but that place is ALWAYS a hit with kids and you can actually learn a lot of nifty things and maybe discuss them with her.
Unfortunately, just because you find science interesting doesn't mean she will. Maybe she likes history, or math, etc. My advice would be to find whatever she has an inkling of interest and go from there.
Though if there are any good natural museums near your area, you could take her there. The Body Work exhibit would probably either impress or freak out a someone. Just remember that at that age, her first thought to going to a museum will probably be "boring"
They sell these children's science kits of all sorts in the toy aisles. Chemistry, electronics-building, physics, light, etc. etc. etc. If you've got the cash, just buy those and make a day of it with her. Move on if it bores her, but if she's got some interest, then you know where to focus from there.
Encourage. Simple as that.
If she wants to try something new, help her go for it. Equip her with what she needs to try it. She may lose interest after a time, and that's normal. The trick is to find something that holds her attention and keeps her coming back to explore it further.
The more things she tries, the more she has an opportunity to find something that she is genuinely passionate about. Encourage well-roundedness, encourage that she explore a wide range of interests, talents, and hobbies, and when she's locked onto one or a few that she likes, be accommodating.
You will never get to dictate what she likes, whether by example or direct influence. My younger sister, for example, is all about her art, whereas I have no talent in that area whatsoever. There are those siblings who are exactly identical in interest and goals, and that's fine, too, but that's usually because the younger of the two just also happen to develop his or her interests in a similar fashion to the older one... and for all you know they may not even be into the same field for the same reasons.
The truth is that you don't need her to be into science, you just want to see her as fascinated with something as you are with your own interests. That's fine and that's a very healthy way to look at your role as the older sibling.
If she messes something up (i.e., gets a bad grade or a failed experiment) and is tempted to give up, don't let her. A failure or a setback is a poor reason to give up on an interest, and at a young age that's what tends to happen. Teach her perseverance, teach her creative perspective, and everything else will fall into place.
Agreed. Also, at twelve, she may not know what interests her, what she will truly be passionate about just yet. Hell, I'm still a little torn about it, and I'm 23.
If you want to be a good role model/example, do so by enjoying what you do and sharing that enjoyment. Do not be preachy. Do not try and push anything in a serious tone. Instead, enjoy what you are doing in a successful and visible way. This is not to say that you should hide when things are tough. But definitely show some excitement or happiness when you finally succeed. Let it be known that it was hard to work through the latest assignment you had been given, but that you were excited to get it done. Not relieved to have been done with it.
Simply put, a list of facts will likely not excite or interest a younger sibling. Sharing some fun will.
What your sister is facing isn't a unique phenomenon, and seems to be shared among many young people in the UK today. The government is so worried about this potential skill shortage (because that is how they think) that they have created a uh, network called STEMNET (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network). The idea behind this is that people working in industry and academics can help to inspire younger people to go into the sciences and engineering - primarily though letting them know that such things exist.
Your university may be involved in this scheme - a typical activity may be going into a school to talk about what you do, or judging a comptetition, things of that nature.
I mention this for two reasons - firstly because you may want to get involved to help other people than your sister, because lots of younger people are having the same problem, and secondly because there's some excellent resources available through STEMNET.
The main STEMNET site, talking about why you may want to be a Science and Engineering Ambassador is at http://www.stemnet.org.uk/ambassadors_seas.cfm
STEMSussex, the local network I am a part of has some excellent resources available at http://www.stemsussex.co.uk/index.php/teachers/stem-delivery-lesson-support/ - it looks llike the one called "A New Leaf in Time" may be what you're looking for?
If I have interested you in joining the scheme then feel free to message me if you've any questions.