Imagine no limits whatsoever. If you could do one thing to interest more young people in science, what would that be?? Click through to read some compelling thoughts from others. And add your own answer!

1. Blue SkyThinking to Inspire
Young People in Science
(Part 1 of 2)
Scott Heimlich, Ed.D.
@heimlich_scott
Amgen Foundation

2. I’ve always been interested in answers to big questions. In ideas
that are thoughtful and creative and unique. Such ideas at times
emerge from decades of experience in education and science, in
other cases they come from someone you’d least expect.
Here’s my question:
Imagine no limits whatsoever. If you could do one
thing to interest more young people in science,
what would that be?
Click through to read some compelling thoughts from others...

3. “I would take young people outdoors and share with them the beauty and intricacies of
how natural ecosystems like forests, grasslands, wetlands, and deserts function and
provide essential services for people like clean drinking water and air.Through these hands-
on, real-world lessons I’d try to stimulate their interest in the natural world to show them
that they too can pursue science and make a difference in this world.”
Dr. PamelaTempler, Ecosystem Ecologist and Professor, Boston University

4. "I would want students to realize that science is their superpower.The process of coming
up with an idea and finding a way to test that idea is a powerful way to distinguish truth
from illusions.”
Dr. Sandra Porter, who teaches people how to use bioinformatics to study biology

5. “Increase children’s exposure to scientists who share their background while they are
growing up.”
Dr. Raj Chetty,William A. Ackman Professor of Economics, Harvard University

6. “As a kid growing up in the 80's, traditional media such as Nickelodeon's Mr. Wizard and
PBS's 3-2-1 Contact piqued my interest in science. Developing relevant content to reach
even younger and multi-lingual youth via social media, especiallyYouTube, would have a
profound and generational influence even before high school.”
Dr. GregVillareal, Biomedical Advisor and former Board Member of SACNAS
(Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science)

7. “Time, trust, respect for constellations of talented science teachers.”.
Dr. Anna Pascucci, Presidente Nazionale, Associazione Nazionale Insegnanti di Scienze Naturali,
and Director, Amgen Biotech Experience in Italy

8. “I would shrink young people down, like in the Magic School Bus, and take them on a tour
of the incredible molecular machinery of the cell.”
Clayton Mansel, 2019 Amgen Scholar

9. “The one thing I would do to interest more young people in science if there were no limits
would be to give them a real-world problem to solve, have them research the problem, and
then provide them the support to develop a solution."
Dr. Wendy Wooten, Science Teacher, Reseda High School

10. “I would ensure that every young person had the opportunity to read A Short History of
Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson, and then I’d make the book into a movie that was just as
compelling and funny.The aim: to cultivate a mindset of lifelong learning, curiosity and
wonder about our world.”
Dr. Scott Heimlich, Vice President, Amgen Foundation

11. Philanthropy too often has a major failing. And that happens when foundations, governments, and really
any entity designs an intervention for impact on specific populations without ever speaking, asking or
listening to those they’re trying to impact.
So to that end, I asked young people (however you want to define that) the same question:
Imagine no limits whatsoever. If you could do one thing to interest more young
people in science, what would that be?

12. “Take every kid on a field trip to the moon.”
Zachary, Age 12

13. “Advertise that science careers make the most money.”
Lily, Age 16

14. “Get Ed Sheeran or a different popular celebrity to really engage in science, and then to
post about it on social media regularly. Make it cool.”
Sierra, Age 16

15. “Put a sign in front of your house that says Fun Science Experiments!
And free brownies and ice cream too.”
Olivia, Age 8, and Savannah, Age 7

16. I’ll end with one more thought.
A few years ago, an Amgen scientist was
asked what sparked her interest in science.
The exchange went something like this and
occurred decades ago.
Teen to her ScienceTeacher:
“So how does that work?”
Teacher toTeen: “I don’t know.”
Teen: “What do you mean you don’t know?”
Teacher: “I really don’t know.We don’t know
that yet.”
Teen: “You mean it’s not in our book. No one
knows that?”
Teacher: “No one knows that.We don’t
understand it yet.”
A scientist was born out of that exchange
long ago in a science classroom.To that
point, the student hadn’t realized that
there were things out there that we literally
did not know the answer to—and that
science played a role in advancing
knowledge and learning new things.That a
researcher in a lab today can discover and
learn something that no one else on Earth
knows or has seen.
That was exciting.That was the initial spark
that led her to a long career in science
that’s still ongoing.
How many young people are cognizant
of how much we don’t know?

17. Thank you to all who generously shared their responses to the question. Part 2 coming soon!
I’d love to hear your answer to this question in the comments below. Here’s the prompt again:
Imagine no limits whatsoever. If you could do one thing to interest more young
people in science, what would that be?

18. The Amgen Foundation seeks to inspire the next generation of innovators and to deepen
scientific literacy for all.We focus on making science possible for young people everywhere.
Learn more about the Foundation’s commitment at amgeninspires.com, and
follow @AmgenFoundation onTwitter. You can also find me onTwitter at @heimlich_scott.
You can find other past articles and select posts here:
▪ THE POSSIBILITIES LIEWITHIN US
▪ Panel at theAtlantic Education Summit 2019 with Amgen Scholars Enrique Rivera-Garcia andCorshai Williams
▪ HOW DOWE MEASURE SUCCESS?Thoughts on Soccer Goals, Social Impact, and Surgical Errors
▪ At theTop ofTheir Game: Messi, Gates &Wooten not only share great talent, but also opportunity & an
environment that allowed their talent to thrive
▪ Talent is Universal – Opportunity is Not
▪ Closing remarks on behalf of theAmgen Foundation on STEM Education Day at the National Academies of
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
▪ SXSW EDU 2019 – FinalTwo Days (for me)
▪ South by Southwest (SXSW) EDU – DayOne
▪ Panel and a Podcast: Science Investigation Matters forTeens, and the 'Opening-Doors' Philosophy behind
Amgen Scholars
▪ Sharing Stories and Lessons Learned with Other Funders: I had the opportunity to discuss theAmgen
Foundation with Southern California Grantmakers