DS13 text messaged me today that he has had a major life revalation. He wants to double major in Political Science AND Structural Engineering.

I am totally stumped about the Structural Engineering. This is a kid I can barely get to join lego leauge...

any suggestions of enrichment activities for a child who is intersted in building bridges and buildings?

Thanks in advance,
Grinity

Have you gained any greater insight into your DS's revelation, Grinity? You already know the activity that comes to my mind quickest - Eli Whitney. But - maybe he has some ideas about the combination of poli-sci and civ.e that would push in a particular direction? Contact with some smart growth organization, maybe 1000 Friends? (Showing my bias, I guess!)

What about having him volunteer for habitat for humanity?

Yeah, what newmom said! There was at least one build nearby in CT last year.

I guess, what I was thinking in general is that something that connects with the "real" world, as opposed to school or camp or contest, could be good at that age.

Welding might be fun.

Has he been interested in what happened with that huge earthquake in china a while back? (politics and structural engineering questions combined, unfortunately, but could be an interesting incident to research. Pretty tragic, however. )

What does he mean by structural engineering?

Buildings or bridges?

Structural engineers do high end design work for things like stadiums, high rises, large bridges, etc. One of our PM's dad has done many of the famous structures in the US. He is a bit strange, but brilliant.

I took him and the PM to a stadium for a major playoff game - and he just stared at the trusswork, then said, "I did this design in 1969." He'd forgotten what it was FOR, but recalled the relationships among the members. This was back in the days of graph paper and slide rules!!

Look up "Finite Element Analysis" and "Mechanics of Materials" and "Statics" - these are the base fields for structural engineers. A guy named Timoshenko is the father of much of it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Timoshenko

You can also look around for engineering competitions at the local college and go to them. That will tell you more.

If he has a real interest, when he turns 16, look around for an engineering firm who would take him on as an intern. I worked for a chemical process design firm when I was 16 and 17 doing programming - so it can be done.

While they don't offer a degree in Structural Engineering, a little school in GA called Southern Polytechnic State University is one of the BEST in the southeast for architecture and engineering. The nice thing about this school is that it's extremely small compared to the major universities, but is competitive as far as degree(s) vs. job placement. It was originally a 2yr school associated with Georgia Tech, but is now its own entity.

Anyway, I attended the school for a brief moment when deciding to return for a second degree/masters degree. I was SUPER impressed with the classes/degrees offered (wished I would've chosen it for my initial college experience) and the major hands on experiences that some (major) technical colleges do not offer. It also has a "normal" liberal arts track, which again, not all small "technical" colleges offer.

I know GA is far from CT, but I think if you wanted (or your DS) to find out more about the different types of engineering degrees and whatnot, the professors and staff are very open and willing to help. They can even point him in the right direction as far as where to look for activities and such that can help him now. The other nice thing about the school itself is that the professors, at least the ones I had, really push and challenge their students, as opposed to just teaching a certain curriculum (which I have experienced at the college level myself).

I know your DS is only 13, but if he is trying to decide what he wants to do now, it wouldn't hurt to really research degrees, jobs/careers, and schools now.

I wish at 13 I had such a good head on my shoulders!!!

Oh, you can find the school at SPSU

Also, I happened to google Structural Engineers, Connecticut and found this: SEC