If you are a young person, or someone in charge of educating young people, why not look into the many ways in which future innovators can start their deep-tech learning journey now?
Undoubtedly, deep-tech disciplines can be incredibly complex. With a diverse range of techniques, policies and technologies, learning skills in this space takes significant practice and patience. But that doesn’t mean that you need to wait until you are an adult or engaging in independent third-level study to begin developing your skills.
In fact, research shows that children and young people often benefit from tackling complicated subjects early on, as it prepares them for greater complexity and difficulty, improving problem-solving and cognition. Not to mention, it can empower young girls, who are often discouraged from engaging with STEM later in life, to establish an interest in the subject much earlier.
So, what deep-tech topics should young people consider exploring to prepare them for a future in which advanced technologies are no longer considered ‘far-off’ or novel?
AI and machine learning
When I was a student in secondary school, we were still using floppy disks to store our computer class projects on, though we did graduate to USBs at some point. My point being that kids nowadays are so far from where we were even just 15 years ago and AI to them is very much a known and expected element of working life.
With that in mind, kids and teenagers should work on their AI skills in a way that is ethical, responsible and augments their other abilities and skills, rather than just replacing the work to be done.
Areas to start could be free online courses in the basics, a knowledge of regulation and ethical use, and programming that increases in difficulty as ability improves. Young people should utilise free or inexpensive online resources that encourage learning and creativity, for example code.org and machine learning for kids.
Robotics
When you think of robotics and deep-tech innovation you may well envision robots similar to Wall-E traversing Mars, or the complicated automated technologies that can now be used in surgeries that require a steady and nimble hand. But children have been exposed to robotics for the longest time, in the form of toys such as motorised cars, automated dolls and even drones designed for kids.
That is to say that a great deal of those young people already have an interest in robotics, so why not further develop their understanding and give them an educational foundation to match their curiosity? At-home robotics kits are a great way to teach younger kids, while robotic-themed summer and winter programmes are great for older kids who can tackle more complex lessons.
For teenagers, online courses are an ideal way to learn, they can be free or inexpensive and are a perfect way to access a community of like-minded individuals, with whom they can share ideas, work on projects and address challenges. For those serious about learning about robotics, prioritise a curriculum that includes science, maths, programming and analytics to start.
Quantum computing
Now quantum computing is a field that is highly complex for many adults – never mind kids – and it can take significant effort to master the subject. Which is why it makes all the more sense that young people with a dream of working in deep tech should look into the basics early on, so it is an easier subject to get their head around down the line.
Educators should incorporate hands-on activities into the curriculum to teach about quantum physics and mechanics, and it can also help to use visual aids to explore more complicated, harder to conceptualise topics. And don’t underestimate the power of a group project to inspire young people as they research a quantum principle, recreate the result and discuss the challenges, their findings and even how they might innovate differently in the future.
While quantum is a difficult topic, that doesn’t mean it is outside the realm of possibility for young people to learn, it just has to be repurposed in a manner that is relatable, engaging and informative, so it doesn’t go over their heads.
AR and VR
Much like robotics, young people have had great exposure to augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies though gaming systems and interactive devices, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they fully understand how the technologies work, or their full potential.
In the deep-tech sector, these advanced technologies can be used in a number of STEM fields, for example in the healthcare space, education, aerospace and engineering, among others, and there are loads of ways for young people to engage early on.
Kids can learn the foundations of AR and VR, the different technologies that can support augmented realities, the science behind it, the numerous use cases and of course the ethics surrounding this new form of innovation.
Learning in this space comes with challenges however, in that not everyone will have access to the necessary resources. However, there are online resources that can be used in theory if not in a hands-on sense. With this in mind, it can be useful to source in-person tutorials or modules, so young people can have an immersive learning experience.
All in all, you are never too young to start thinking about the future. What better way to build up your skills than to look at what is required for an industry that is embedding itself at the core of how we live and work? Deep tech, as a somewhat future-proof career route, certainly holds plenty of excitement for those willing to do the work.
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