How to Teach Kids Better Problem Solving | Michael Arnold | TEDxGreenville

Summary

In this inspiring talk, the speaker reflects on their childhood dream of becoming an astronaut, only to face setbacks due to height limitations. They pivoted to engineering, focusing on problem-solving and innovation. The speaker emphasizes the importance of teaching kids complex problem-solving skills, particularly through hands-on learning and data analytics. They argue that fostering innovation and problem-solving from a young age is essential for preparing students for future challenges, including emerging technologies and job markets. The speaker proposes integrating problem-solving into education curricula to help students become adept at navigating tomorrow's problems.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker reflects on their childhood dream of becoming an astronaut, but a height restriction prevented them from reaching this goal.
• 😀 The speaker shifted their focus to engineering and problem-solving, where they found a new mission in life.
• 😀 Problem-solving is the most in-demand skill for future jobs, as emphasized by the World Economic Forum.
• 😀 Teaching kids statistical problem-solving from an early age helps them develop the skills needed for future challenges.
• 😀 The speaker highlights how exposure to innovation within communities can help discover 'lost Einsteins' – children with the potential to invent but lacking opportunities.
• 😀 Hands-on, project-based learning encourages creativity and problem-solving more effectively than traditional lectures.
• 😀 Data analytics will become an essential part of every job, requiring future generations to be proficient in statistics and data interpretation.
• 😀 Countries like Japan and Russia have successful models of teaching problem-solving through innovative, hands-on methods.
• 😀 Problem-solving skills should be integrated into school curriculums, with students working on real-world problems and collaborating across disciplines.
• 😀 The speaker believes that fostering problem-solving expertise in students will prepare them for the rapidly changing job landscape, where many current jobs will be obsolete by 2030.
• 😀 The speaker concludes with a humorous yet serious note about the future, suggesting that problem solvers will be crucial in tackling challenges such as alien invasions, killer robots, and zombie plagues.

Q & A

What inspired the speaker to become an astronaut in their childhood?

The speaker was inspired by their grandmother's story of watching Neil Armstrong step onto the moon. The experience of sitting on their grandfather’s knee while watching the moon landing deeply influenced their aspiration to become an astronaut.

Why did the speaker change their career path from astronaut to engineer?

The speaker realized that one of the physical requirements to become an astronaut was a maximum height of 6 foot 1 inch. Since they were 6 foot 4 inches tall, they couldn’t meet the height requirement, so they shifted their focus to becoming an engineer and designing taller spaceships.

What key skill does the World Economic Forum identify as essential for future employment?

The World Economic Forum identifies complex problem-solving as the number one skill that employers will seek in the future.

What historical context does the speaker provide to support the importance of problem-solving?

The speaker references the scientific method invented by Socrates over 2,000 years ago, which was used to solve major problems of the time, such as the Battle of Thermopylae and understanding the causes of the plague. This historical reference emphasizes the enduring importance of problem-solving skills.

How does the speaker relate data analytics to the future job market?

The speaker mentions that, in the Information Age, every two days, as much information is created as from the dawn of civilization until 2003. With such vast amounts of data, data analytics will become a necessary skill in almost every job, requiring a foundational understanding of statistics.

What is a 'Lost Einstein,' according to the speaker, and why are they important?

A 'Lost Einstein' is a child with the intellectual capacity to invent something groundbreaking but lacks the opportunity to do so. The speaker highlights that these kids are often raised in environments where innovation is not nurtured, and this leads to untapped potential.

What educational approach does the speaker recommend for improving problem-solving skills in children?

The speaker recommends a hands-on, project-based approach to teaching problem-solving from an early age. This includes teaching children through real-world scenarios, such as using a catapult to teach statistics or working on group projects like developing a video game.

What real-life example does the speaker give of a child applying problem-solving skills?

The speaker provides an example of their son who created a device to measure his tremors as part of a senior high school project. He used this device to collect data and present his findings, demonstrating how problem-solving can be applied to both personal and scientific challenges.

Why does the speaker believe that teaching problem-solving in school will benefit society?

The speaker believes that teaching problem-solving will cultivate innovation, allowing children to solve complex challenges. This could lead to advances in technology, healthcare, and other sectors, thus benefiting society by finding solutions to current and future problems.

How does the speaker compare the education system in Japan to that in other countries regarding problem-solving?

The speaker praises Japan's education system for teaching problem-solving through visual and hands-on methods, where students engage with real-world scenarios. The speaker suggests that this approach could be adapted in other countries to foster the development of future problem solvers.