The incredible power of 3D printers means that kids can really make the final product their own.
— Jason Yocum
Co-Founder and CEO of STAX3D
Jason Yocum is the Co-Founder and CEO of STAX3D and has over 20 years of technical leadership experience in the field of aerospace engineering. Jason was one of the original “super users” for AutoCAD helping to develop and refine the software to the highest standards and is considered an expert in 3D technologies. With a background in leading powerful business organizations, including steering major commercial and government satellite missions, he works in the community to bring engineering to K-12; encouraging them to consider STEM subjects as a profession. He very much believes in paying it forward and helping to shape not only students but young professional engineers, or anyone with a thirst for knowledge into productive, motivated members of society. He believes that any goal is worth aiming for if you do it with conviction, passion and integrity.
When you put the questions and imposing onto the kids, A) They become more active participants, versus just passively trying to absorb the information. B is, if you don't know the answer, it's actually cool. You can put the burden on them to ask the questions, then say, "Hey, you know what? I don't really know." Or, "Let's see." You don't even have to say that you don't know. It's like, “Let's see. Let's try it out; let's test it. We can find it out through this experiment.