5 questions about technology from Sharon Wilmink of De Klipper elementary school

"Getting kids to discover how something works is something I love."

Getting young people to see and experience that technology and engineering are attractive. That is one of the spearheads of Techport. We do this by working together with elementary school and organizing various technology activities, such as the Techport Technology Week. The goal: to improve children's perception of technology and to enthuse them to choose a technical study program. Elementary school De Klipper in IJmuiden has been a Techport school for some time. Sharon Wilmink, educational support worker at De Klipper, explains why.

1. What role does technology play in your life?
'Technology has played a big role my whole 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 technique was laid. Later, together with another girl from my class, I chose a technical high school. 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 guard, engineering is the common thread of my life. I was excited to go back to work in engineering 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. How do you get children interested in engineering?
'By introducing them to engineering from their very first years of school. With us that 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 barn. It is very beautiful and rewarding to do that with the children. We dismantle the rocket completely. And then, step-by-step, we rebuild it as a hay barn. I scour Markplaats every day looking for free stuff. The children can take apart an appliance. Or they fix up a bicycle and we give it away so another child can enjoy it. In this way they discover how things are put together, how they work and that technology is woven into our daily lives. I think that's wonderful.

3. Have you managed to convey your passion for engineering to your children?
'On my eldest for sure. His dream is to become a jet fighter pilot. For his high school education he chose Saga Driehuis, but that is free education and working independently doesn't suit him well. He has been accepted at Ichtus Lyceum, where he will follow the 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 this point.

4. How can we ensure that more young people choose engineering?
There is no single solution that will achieve this, but it does start with abandoning the idea that only HAVO/VWO is good enough and that you are only successful if you become a doctor or lawyer. To be honest, this often starts with the parents. They say their child had better choose something else than engineering. But that's because they often don't really know what engineering means either. So we have to show the children and the parents what it means, what you can do with it and that you can do a lot with technology. Recently a former student 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, to tinker around. I find that very beautiful. That someone follows his feelings at such a young age. And that his parents also support that. That's how it should be!

5. Do you have a tip for elementary schools that do not yet offer technology?
'My tip is: go to a school where they already offer it. The other day, two educational janitors 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 for each age group. They went home very inspired. Who knows, maybe that will cause them to go ahead and teach technology classes in their schools now!

Who is Sharon Wilmink

Works as: Teaching assistant
At: Elementary school De Klipper in IJmuiden
Since: 2 years

Was/Did before:
Previously worked at Technisch College Velsen (TCV) as a teacher support worker and at Maritiem College IJmuiden (MCY) as a boatwoman. At the MCY, she supervised young people who were interned for training to become skippers. She made sure they went to bed on time, were in class on time and everything else. She herself says, "I was their second mother." Before that, she worked as a prison guard for 18 years.

Connection to the IJmond region:
Born and raised IJmuiden native.

Wish for the next ten years 'together towards the first green industrial zone of NL':
That it becomes normal to choose engineering and that more and more children go for an advanced technical education.