I learned long ago how important it is to introduce elementary and middle schoolers to math and science outside of the classroom environment -- they need to experience the application of math and science in ways that inspire awe. When I was 14 years old, I wanted to be an engineering professor because that's what my older brother wanted to be. So, here I am, coaching the Science Jeopardy team for elementary-school kids and working with the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP) to get Detroit Area students interested in math and science so they do better in those courses in high school and consider a math and science career path.

Science Jeopardy is part of the Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad. I found that the kids in the Olympiad program were, to a large degree, already excited about science -- all we had to do was feed the flame and introduce them to new concepts and topics in a fun way. Another volunteer and I coached fourth- and fifth-grade teams. We'd go over a broad range of topics -- magnetism and electricity, the human body, food chemistry, solar system, rocks and minerals, energy, climate change, food pyramid, etc. -- and practice as if they were playing a game of Jeopardy. In the end, 15 or so schools competed in Science Jeopardy. The kids had a blast.

The mission of DAPCEP is to increase the number of historically under-represented minorities who are motivated and prepared academically to pursue careers in science, mathematics, engineering and technology. The majority of the students in the Program like math or science but don't seem to know what that means for them. I think it's clear that the DAPCEP program is a great benefit for students, and we did our best to introduce them to engineering with hands-on activities. But I think this type of activity could have a greater impact if we first introduce them to engineering at a younger age. In any case, it's great to be part of the programs.