Bartelo, B., & Bartelo, S. W. (2022, April),  Alternative Education Options for Future Engineering Students  Paper presented at ASEE-NE 2022, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Massachusetts. 10.18260/1-2--42146

\bibitem{asee_peer_42146}
  Bartelo, B., \& Bartelo, S. W. (2022, April), \emph{ Alternative Education Options for Future Engineering Students}
  Paper presented at ASEE-NE 2022, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Massachusetts.
  10.18260/1-2--42146

Brian Bartelo and Sean W Bartelo.  " Alternative Education Options for Future Engineering Students".  ASEE-NE 2022, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Massachusetts, 2022, April.  ASEE Conferences, 2022.  https://peer.asee.org/42146 Internet.  14 Dec, 2024

\bibitem{asee_peer_42146}
  Brian Bartelo and Sean W Bartelo.
  " Alternative Education Options for Future Engineering Students".
  \emph{ASEE-NE 2022, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Massachusetts, 2022, April}.
  ASEE Conferences, 2022.
  https://peer.asee.org/42146 Internet.  14 Dec, 2024

@INPROCEEDINGS{asee_peer_42146
author = "Brian Bartelo and Sean W Bartelo"
title = " Alternative Education Options for Future Engineering Students"
booktitle = "ASEE-NE 2022"
year = "2022"
month = "April"
address = "Wentworth Institute of Technology, Massachusetts"
publisher = "ASEE Conferences"
note = {https://peer.asee.org/42146}
number = {10.18260/1-2--42146}
}

TY  - CPAPER
AB  -  "Alternative Education Options for Future Engineering Students"
	To become an aerospace engineer, one needs to study advanced math and science; however, one does not need to wait until they are eighteen years old in order to begin their journey.  This paper discusses my educational journey as I hope to study engineering and law so I can become a space lawyer.  From a position of aerospace expertise, I hope to litigate disputes to ensure space is available for all people to benefit from and stand in wonderment of forever.
	Being homeschooled, my educational path has been different from traditional students. Covid has increased the number of homeschoolers exponentially and illustrated the benefits of being able to deep dive on interesting subjects.  I will explore the various projects and contests that are available to students to expand upon traditional science learning.  Online educational organizations will be explored for how they draw out individuals and inspire students to mature intellectually, collaborate with kindness, and problem solve to create a better future for all. 
	In my experience, I have been able to learn by doing.  Creating electrical projects from kits has taught me firsthand how circuits work.  Completing chemistry lab experiments has taught me more about the elements than just reading in a book.  Creative video games have a sandbox mode, which is a fantastic way to learn without the risk of breaking or glitching something.  Many organizations offer challenges using these products which allows students to work on projects with deadlines, simulating what might be experienced in the engineering profession.
	In many ways, engineering information has been reinforced from video games such as Kerbal Space Program (KSP) and Minecraft.  For example, KSP is a game about owning a space program and managing it to go to the outer reaches of the space.  Minecraft is a game with an objective to survive in a fantasy world with highly imaginative creatures; however, similar to KSP, the Minecraft sandbox system removes the need to manage things like hunger, and focuses on learning on how the game works.  Interactive and cooperative building and designing software teach cooperation and communication skills within engineering.  Continuing on the topic of sandbox features, Tinkercad, a 3D modeling software, is a helpful way to learn computer assisted building and design.  Learning through active engagement with a subject allows a student to formulate hypotheses, test assumptions, and experiment.  
	Traditional educational models consist of a ladder of learning.  Homeschooling programs such as the ACE Program in New York State, allows qualifying homeschoolers to take concurrent courses to earn high school and college credits earlier than traditional public school.  This allows motivated students to get a start on the basic required college courses.  Many aerospace engineering students are taking advantage of these opportunities in order to graduate college early and start working.
	In conclusion, one of the results of the Covid pandemic has been to usher in and highlight new ways of learning and meeting that are transformative.  From my experience as a student who has benefited from an alternative educational journey, it is valuable to share this experience with others so that they too might benefit.

AU  - Brian Bartelo
AU  - Sean W Bartelo
CY  - Wentworth Institute of Technology, Massachusetts
DA  - 2022/04/22
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  -  Alternative Education Options for Future Engineering Students
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/42146
DO  - 10.18260/1-2--42146
ER  -