My son is 16. He is very interested in science especially physics. In fact he has consistently scored high in science. I wanted to encourage him and have him pursue his ambition with more focus and drive. He wants to take up space studies when he grows up. However, I don’t know if the tuitions and science exhibitions he has been to are helping him reach that advanced level. Any ideas on how to channelize his interest to an advanced level?

My opinion: No need to start focussing yet.

 

If your son, at the age of 16, is already "focussing" on the science (physics, math, and hopefully chemistry too), then that is a good start.

 

I'm not sure even on which continent you are, so I might give irrelevant info. In the Netherlands, the choice for a university comes at the age of 18-19. This gives the kid 2 more years. Then it comes to a point where he must choose between physics, chemistry, applied physics, aerospace engineering... that sort of broad fields. Those are all faculties at a university. Really specializing into a field will come during the studies at university, or when doing a PhD, or even after that.

 

At 16, nobody is going to be advanced. You might be talented, or really smart... but there is plenty of time.

 

Of course, a hobby can be fun. That would channelize something perhaps. But I would advise against pushing too hard. But that's just my idea of teaching kids. (It should be voluntarily, and fun).

I agree with CP, although you may see if there's anything you might be involved in those with him. I remember being the top Chemistry student of my Graduating class, but because there was no where really to practice or anybody to talk to about chemistry, I kind of fell into disinterest for a while (that was about the time I found this place)

 

Even if he's the sort who likes to study alone, it's always cool to have someone show interest in something you like

As said, there's no rushing need to specialise. Your son sounds very like me at that age, I hope my experience is useful:

 

I was very into science from a young age, my dad is/was an engineer/metallurgist by trade, and I was one of those "but why...?" kids.

 

I got into all forms of science as a kid but fairly swiftly gravitated (no pun intended) towards physics. This was in combination with my hobbies which were mostly outdoor sports (climbing, rugby, mountain biking etc) and a keen interest in computers and technology. All three; science, sports and technology were a result of the same mindset I think. This was further encouraged by an excellent physics teacher at my state school (by the name of Mr Cowan) who allowed me to do my final year project on mountain bike braking systems. I spent several pleasant hours throwing myself, my bike, and an expensive and well padded laptop down some proper Scottish mountains to collect data from thermocouples and pressure sensors I'd built from scratch, and then analysed it with software I wrote myself. That's pretty cool when you're 16 and I'm still darned proud of it.

 

Even today it's the same in many ways - I work in a big bookshop running the science section that supplies the local universities and colleges, I regularly kitesurf and find myself doing resolution-of-forces calculations whilst pulling on a wetsuit, and I recently wrote my first full-scale web application which I have a feeling could become a commercial product.

 

Oh, I went to uni to study physics and just wasn't any good at academic discipline. I dropped out after two years.

 

The point remains, a properly encouraged science education when you're young will stay with you for life, and that's a wonderful thing. Your son may end up being a hairdresser for all any of us know, but keep him enthralled in science and he'll produce some fascinating advances in hairdressing technology. (If you think I'm being flippant look at the money that goes into the men's razor market).

 

Nothing ruins a good dream like too many expectations

 

 

Serious, practical advice? Teach him some basic engineering skills like working on the car or fixing bikes, and get him a cheap computer to install a linux based OS on. He'll learn some real-life skills that are all too rare amongst some of the best graduates.

Like all of them rightly mentioned... there's no need to rush. If your son wants to get into space studies and is already doing well in science, then there's nothing to worry. All you need to do is find out colleges which offer astrophysics/space studies and enroll him there once he is through with his schooling. Meanwhile you can send your kid to a Space Camp. This will give him an up-close exposure to the field, which will help him decide if he is really willing to take up the subject in future. One that i know of is Space Camp India. They take kids to The U.S Space and Rocket Centre at Huntsville, Alabama. Their programmes integrate both textual concepts as well as hand-on training on space studies. Why don't you check out their website - http://spacecampindia.com/ I am sure it'll be an enriching and useful experience for your child.... Hope that helped!

Like all of them rightly mentioned... there's no need to rush. If your son wants to get into space studies and is already doing well in science, then there's nothing to worry. All you need to do is find out colleges which offer astrophysics/space studies and enroll him there once he is through with his schooling. Meanwhile you can send your kid to a Space Camp. This will give him an up-close exposure to the field, which will help him decide if he is really willing to take up the subject in future. One that i know of is Space Camp India. They take kids to The U.S Space and Rocket Centre at Huntsville, Alabama. Their programmes integrate both textual concepts as well as hand-on training on space studies. Why don't you check out their website - http://spacecampindia.com/ I am sure it'll be an enriching and useful experience for your child.... Hope that helped!

can you list few institutes which offer astrophysics after school..\/

i mean at undrgraduate level.

Hey Baryon ... just check out this link :http://www.uniguru.com/studyabroad/undergraduate/uk-university-degrees/uk-Astrophysics-courses/i/RE.2/all210/1/programs.html

It has some info on undergraduate courses for astrophysics ... hope this helps!

thats ok but i wanted some form india not uk.

mark twain said:"I Never Let School Interfere with My Education"

don't forget..schools open the door, but you must enter by yourself

What everyone else said. Don't rush him. It sounds like he's already doing well at science, so no need to push him.