“Getting children to discover how something works; Wonderful”
Letting young people see and experience the appeal of technology and engineering is one of Techport's spearheads. We do this by cooperating with primary schools and organising various technology activities, such as the Techport Technology Week. The aim: to improve children's perception of technology and to enthuse them to choose a technical study programme.
1. What role does technology play in your life?
‘Engineering has played a big role all my life. My father was always doing odd jobs and I was allowed to help him. I think that is where the basis for my interest in engineering was laid. Later, together with another girl from my class, I chose a technical secondary education. I think we were even the only ones from our school who chose that, but we had a great time taking engineering classes with the boys. We saw the other girls again in general subjects. I got my degree in electrical engineering. Apart from the eighteen years as a prison officer, engineering is the thread that runs through my life. I was excited to start working in engineering again after such a long time, but it feels like coming home. I love working with my hands and being creative. Engineering continues to challenge me.’
2. Have you managed to convey your passion for technology to your children?
‘On my eldest for sure. His dream is to become a jet fighter pilot. For his secondary education, he chose Saga Driehuis, but that is free education and working independently does not suit him well. He has been accepted at Ichtus Lyceum, where he will follow technical grammar school. And my youngest is also interested in technology, but whether he will actually choose a technical education I dare not say at the moment.
3. How can we ensure that more young people choose engineering?
‘There is no one solution that will make this happen, but it does start with moving away from the idea that only HAVO/VWO is good enough and that you are only successful if you become a doctor or lawyer. And quite frankly, this often starts with the parents. They say their child would be better off choosing something other than engineering. But that's because they often don't really know what engineering entails either. So we have to show the children and the parents what it is all about, what you can do with it and that you can do a lot with technology. Recently, a former pupil of the school went to a technical college even though he had been advised VWO/Gymnasium. But he didn't want that. He wanted to work with his hands, tinker around. I really like that. That someone follows his feelings at such a young age. And that his parents support that too. That's how it should be!’
4. Do you have a tip for primary schools that do not yet offer engineering?
‘My tip is: go to a school where they already offer it. The other day, two educational concierges came to visit. One of them happened to be a former colleague of mine. I showed them our technology room and told them how we offer technology per age group. They went home very inspired. Who knows, maybe that will make them go ahead and teach engineering classes in their schools now!’
5. How do you get children interested in engineering?
‘By introducing them to technology from their very first school years. With us, this starts as early as group 1-2. Group 3-4 now has the theme of animals. The previous theme was space. So now we are going to rebuild the rocket we made then into a hay shed. It is very nice and rewarding to do that with the children. We dismantle the rocket completely. And then we rebuild it step-by-step as a hay barn. I scour Markplaats every day looking for free stuff. The children then get to take apart an appliance. Or they fix up a bicycle, which we then give away so another child can enjoy it again. That way they discover how things are put together, how they work and that technology is woven into all our daily lives. I love that.’