What do you want to be when you grow up?
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Have you thought about what you want to do for a living when you're
an adult? What's your goal? Take a look at some interesting occupations!
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Computer Animator
Think of all the amazing special effects in movies and computer games.
Dinosaurs, monsters, explosions, people who change into something else,
time travel, space travel, people flying, buildings falling, ships sinking-the
list goes on. This is exciting and fun because we can actually see things
that we could only imagine before. But how does this happen?
The Real Deal
The answer is computer animation. Animators use lasers to scan real people
or things into digital form in their computers. Then they create directions
to have the image move in a certain way. If a monster is chasing somebody,
the animator has to give directions for each part-the tail, the legs,
the mouth, and everything else-to move the way it would in real life.
Then the animator uses her computer to put in light, shadow, and colors
to make the characters look like they would in real life. Other people
put together the scenes, background, sound effects, music, and script.
The animators add in all these things, then use computer languages to
write instructions, called "codes," that run the animation.
If it sounds like a lot of work, you're right. Fifty animators worked
on the movie Dinosaur. It took over 70,000 CD-ROMs to hold all of the
information they used and over 3 million hours of computer time. But they
learned a lot and ended up with a fantastic result. The fun is in the
creation and being able to make the animation come out just right.
Experience and Education
How do you get to be an animator? Most people learn computer graphics
before they get into animation. If you can show a lot of good animations
that you've done, you can get a job. But, to get really good, you should
take some courses or get a degree. There are 2-year programs with courses
like computer character design, gaming design, shading and lighting, motion
study, and 3D. Some animators have college degrees in computer science
or fine arts.
What You Can Do Now
If you're interested in computer animation, you can start by working
with computer graphics. And start designing things! Draw! Paint! At school,
look for multimedia and computer programming courses. Use graphics in
school projects. Join any classes, clubs, or contests that involve art
or graphics. Remember, computer animation is new, it's growing, and it's
changing all the time. There aren't too many rules, so you can take it
wherever you want to go. Besides movies and games, there's a lot of work
for computer animators in advertising and business.
Links
http://www.women.animation.org/
http://www.ucalgary.ca/~vlwalker/kidsanimation.html
http://www.catapultproductions.com/Behind/animators_a_m.html
http://krypton.mankato.msus.edu/~umemua/visual/animation.html
http://www.tcm.org/html/resources/cmp-careers/cnc-animator.html
http://www.fullsail.com/
Hurricane Tracker
Hurricanes-smashing houses, turning over cars, sinking boats, washing
houses out to sea. We hear about these terrible storms every year. One
hurricane destroyed almost the whole country of Honduras. Years ago, a
hurricane hit Texas and became the biggest disaster in the history of
the United States. What causes hurricanes? What can be done about them?
The Real Deal
Hurricanes are powerful swirling storms that start when warm seawater
evaporates into the air. They start near the equator and move north, getting
stronger as they go along. Unfortunately, we can't stop hurricanes. But
we can be prepared when one is on the way. The more we know about how
strong the hurricane is, how fast it's going, and where it will hit, the
more we can protect ourselves. This is the job of hurricane trackers at
places like the National Hurricane Center and the Federal Emergency Management
Agency.
How do they track a hurricane? Not so long ago, hurricane warnings came
from people who were watching the weather in places like the Caribbean
Sea where a lot of hurricanes start. This helped, but it was hard to really
tell what the storm would do. Now, things have changed. Hurricane trackers
get pictures from satellites, and hurricane hunting airplanes fly right
into the middle, or the "eye," of the hurricane to measure the
size and strength of the storm. They also use weather ships and buoys
that float in the water and send radio signals about what's going on with
the wind and the water.
What do the hurricane trackers do with all that information? It goes
into powerful computers that make maps of the storm. The trackers use
mathematical "models" to describe the hurricane and everything
about it. Depending on how bad it is, the trackers give out a "hurricane
watch" or a "hurricane warning." Information goes out to
States, cities, and towns, so people can get prepared and sometimes move
out of the way.
Hurricane trackers like helping to save people's lives and homes. They
especially like the challenge of fighting the storm, using math and computers
against the power of rain and wind.
Experience and Education
How can you become a hurricane tracker? You need to be good with math
and computers. But, you also need a college degree in meteorology or atmospheric
sciences. Some meteorologists are hurricane trackers, some work for television
and radio stations, and others work for airports to keep track of flying
conditions. Other meteorologists study air pollution, the polar ice caps,
or how the weather affects farm crops.
What You Can Do Now
If you're interested in hurricane tracking or meteorology in general,
you can learn more from books and Web sites. You might also be able to
be a weather watcher for your local TV or radio station. You can track
hurricanes yourself by plotting the storm's location on a map as you hear
weather reports. With your computer, you can download hurricane tracking
maps and hurricane information and even talk with hurricane hunters and
trackers. Meanwhile, don't forget to work on your math and computer skills.
Links
http://www.fema.gov/kids/hurr.htm
http://www.miamisci.org/hurricane/nhc.html
http://discovery.com/guides/weather/hurricanes.html
http://school.discovery.com/homeworkhelp/worldbook/atozscience/h/267860.html
http://www.comet.ucar.edu/nsflab/web/hurricane/311.htm
Pilot
Airplanes, helicopters, jet fighters, radar planes, and small "puddle-jumpers!"
All kinds of aircraft for all kinds of things! They're a big part of today's
modern world and they all need somebody to fly them.
Many pilots work for airlines, flying passengers all over the country
and around the world. Air Force pilots fly planes to defend the country.
Coast Guard pilots rescue people in trouble at sea. Some helicopter pilots
take workers out to ships in the ocean and bring them home again. Others
pick people up from the top of skyscrapers. And some pilots fly planes
that keep track of the weather.
The Real Deal
What's a pilot's life really like? Of course, pilots get to go to faraway
places. And, they're needed all over the country and all over the world,
so they can live almost anyplace. Besides, wherever they go, they can
fly home again.
Pilots work strange hours. They might start work in the middle of the
night and not finish for 15 hours. But they don't work every day. Sometimes,
they have a few days off before it's time to go back to work. Many pilots
like going to different places and not having the same schedule all the
time.
Do pilots just climb into the plane and take off? There's a lot more
to being a pilot than that. They use radio equipment and read radar screens.
They plan their flights-where, when, how high, how fast, and more. They
have to get their crew ready, check the aircraft to make sure it's okay
to fly, and know about the weather.
Experience and Education
What does it take to be a pilot? You must have a lot of energy, be very
organized, and pay attention to details. Of course, you need to know how
to fly. Even then, pilots need to fly many, many hours before they can
work for an airline.
But, where do you start to become a pilot? Many pilots learn to fly and
get their experience in the military. Others take flying lessons, become
flight instructors, and get jobs that start with flying small planes.
Usually, you don't need a college degree, but it helps. Being good in
math helps too, because pilots must handle a lot of numbers and details,
plan, organize, and think clearly to make decisions. Math and science
help you to do those things.
What You Can Do Now
How can you get ready to be a pilot? You should find out all you can
about aircraft and flying. Checking out books and Web sites is a good
idea. If you live near an airport, especially a small one, you can go
there with an adult to see what happens, and maybe you'll even have a
chance to talk to somebody who flies planes. You might be able to do this
through scouting or a youth group. Meanwhile, remember-work on your math
and science!
Links
http://ninety-nines.org/welcome.html
http:/www.girltech.com/Girl_Galaxy/GG_girls_at_work35.html
http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0192893.html
http://www.propilot.com/
Zoologist
The zoo-what a great place! Elephants, birds, lizards, apes, bears, and
hundreds of other animals all in one place! It's fun to see them all-big,
small, cute, scary, or just weird. But, there's more to it than that.
How do the animals get along with each other? What makes them sad or sick?
Why does this one sleep so much? Why isn't that one eating? Why isn't
this pair having babies? The answers to these questions can give the zoo
animals a better life. Learning more about them also can help other animals
survive in the wild.
The Real Deal
This is where zoologists come in. At large zoos, they keep track of animal
behavior. The zoologist keeps records of the animals' habits and health.
She might set up experiments and use cameras and sound recorders to get
information. The information goes into a computer, where the zoologist
uses math to figure out what's going on. One of the most important decisions
she makes is how to help the animals to have strong, healthy babies.
Most zoologists care about animals and like working with them up close.
So, the zoologist spends time getting to know the personalities of the
animals. She also spends time working with other animal scientists, like
biologists, psychologists, and veterinarians, to share ideas. All of this
helps the zoologist do what she likes the most-discover things that can
make a difference to the animals.
Experience and Education
How do you get to be a zoologist? Besides liking animals and wanting
to help them, you should like solving mysteries and be a careful thinker.
In school, work on math and science. After that, you need a college degree
in a science like biology, psychology, anthropology, or zoology. Most
zoologists then get more education and an advanced degree like a master's
or a Ph.D.
Besides zoos, zoologists work for State park and wildlife departments,
universities, and organizations that work to protect wildlife and the
environment. A lot of their work is to help animals survive against losing
their living space when people move in and being hurt by chemicals that
spoil their environment.
What You Can Do Now
To stir up your curiosity, go to a zoo and watch closely. Some zoos have
special activities for young people. Pick out some animals to study. Read
a book or go to a Web site to find out about these animals. If you have
pets, watch them and see what you can find out about their personalities,
moods, and habits. In school, scouts, or youth clubs, do science projects.
Links
http://www.arkanimals.com/Career/Career1.html
http://www.girlsunlimited.com/career/creatures/perkins.htm
http://www.nycareerzone.org/
(see natural and agricultural sciences: zoologists)
http://www.seaworld.org/
Civil/Structural Engineer
Bridges, buildings, stadiums, towers, dams, and power plants-even ski
lifts and roller coasters-they're all big structures made out of steel,
concrete, or wood. You can hardly go anyplace without finding one. And
they're important for the way we live; travel; do business; get light,
heat, and water; or just have fun.
The Real Deal
But how do these large structures do what they do? How can that bridge
reach so far across the water and carry all those cars without falling
down? How come that skyscraper doesn't blow over in a storm? How does
the power plant make the electricity that comes to your house when you
turn something on? How can the roller coaster put you through so many
wild loops, turns, and drops and still be safe? Somebody had to design
them to be strong enough, to move in the wind or to bend (but not too
much!), and to make lots and lots of parts work together, so that everything
turns out like it should. The people who do that are structural or civil
engineers.
They start with drawings that show the shape and size of the structure
and the parts that go into it. The engineers also create detailed plans,
called "specifications,"-"specs" for short-that show
how each part has to be built for the whole thing to work. The plans also
show what materials to use. Because a lot of math goes into the specs,
an engineer does a lot of her work with a computer and a scientific calculator.
Experience and Education
It's not all numbers and office work, though. The engineer spends a lot
of time meeting and working with other people. Really large projects need
a lot of engineers to get all the design work done. They work as a team
to make sure that all of the specs are correct and that they go together.
Then there's the people-usually a business or a government department-who
want the structure built and the construction contractors who actually
build the structure. The engineer has to make sure that everybody agrees.
Structural engineers also spend a lot of time outside to see the whole
thing come together. For older structures, they often go inspect them
to see what repairs they need, even climbing to the top of a bridge to
check for rust, cracks, and weak spots. Many engineers enjoy the chance
to get outside to see "their structure" and to get their hands
on the real thing.
How can you find out if you would like a career in civil or structural
engineering? If you enjoy solving problems, are good in math, and comfortable
using computers, this may be a good career choice.
What You Can Do Now
You can start on your career as a civil or structural engineer now. When
you go places, look at how structures are made and take pictures if you
can. Try designing your own structures with drawings and list all the
parts and materials you would need. Find some books about famous buildings,
bridges, and structures. Join a science club at school or find out about
starting one. Design and build something in a science project for school,
scouts, or a girls club. Work on your computer skills, especially graphics,
spreadsheets, and math programs. Organize a book fair, a volunteer clean-up
day, a school event, or any activity-it will help develop your ability
to think logically and work in a team.
Links
http://www.discoverengineering.org/
http://www.tomorrows-girl.com/civil.htm
http://jfg.girlscouts.org/How/Careers/Bridge/BRINTERVIEW.htm
Exercise Science
Playing sports, working out, and just being active means being in shape,
feeling good, and staying healthy. Today, more than ever, people are aware
of their bodies. Exercise doesn't just make us faster or stronger. It
relaxes us and makes us feel better. It also helps people get well, stay
well, and work better.
But what exercises work best for different types of people? How much
is enough? What equipment should we use? How can we keep from getting
hurt? How fast can we get better if we do get hurt? Where does nutrition
fit in? What results should we expect? Exercise science-the study of physical
movement and its effect on people's lives-gives us answers to these questions.
The Real Deal
But what does an exercise science person do? There are lots of different
careers. Exercise scientists can be found in fitness clubs, hospitals,
companies trying to keep their workers healthy with exercise, and professional
and amateur sports, including professional teams and Olympic training
centers. Some exercise scientists set up and run exercise programs. Others
are working with people one-on-one. Then there are research jobs which
look for new ways of doing things. Some of the possible jobs are athletic
trainer, fitness instructor, sport nutritionist, sports medicine technician,
equipment tester, weight loss counselor, and physical therapist.
Experience and Education
How do you get into exercise science? A college degree in exercise science
is a good start. Some of the things you study are exercise physiology
(what happens to the body when someone exercises), biomechanics (how muscles
and joints are used), nutrition, physical therapy (healing people who
have injuries or diseases of the bones, muscles, joints, or nerves), and
sports medicine. After college, some people get more training and may
even become a sports medicine doctor.
What You Can Do Now
Want to become an exercise scientist? Play sports and try different kinds
of exercise. You can volunteer in a fitness facility or senior center,
on a school athletic team, in a hospital, or in a doctor's office. In
high school, you'll want to take courses like anatomy, biology, chemistry,
physics, computer science, trigonometry, and calculus. These activities
will give you ideas about possible careers in the field of exercise science.
Remember, people are getting more into physical fitness, sports, and health
all the time. So take a look! There's plenty of room for you!
Links
http://coe.etsu.edu/departments/PEXS/ex-phys/general-info.htm
http://library.thinkquest.org/12153
Oceanography
Mountains, volcanoes, hot water shooting out of chimneys, gold, silver,
and weird creatures that eat chemicals and never see the light of day!
Is this the latest video game or a science fiction movie? No, it's the
deepest part of the ocean, a mysterious place where few people have gone.
Not long ago, oceanographers thought the deepest, darkest part of the
ocean was a dead zone where nothing much happened. They were wrong. There
are thousands of miles of volcanic cracks around all of the continents.
These cracks, called vents, push out molten lava, water, and warm chemicals
from the inside of the earth. Tube worms, miniature lobsters, spider crabs,
anemones, and mounds of bacteria live off the minerals that come from
the vents. Tall chimneys build up as the blazing hot stuff hits the icy
water.
Why is this important? Understanding "deep volcanism" lets
us know more about how the earth was formed and how life develops. The
bacteria from the deep sea could be used to help in medicine and to clean
the environment. Rock samples from the ocean floor help scientists understand
what happened when a meteor hit the earth millions of years ago and give
them new ideas about the Ice Age.
The Real Deal
What do oceanographers do? They make maps of the ocean floor, study the
life and death of coral reefs, and keep track of ocean currents. Oceanographers
work at sea, in floating laboratories, on land, and along the coast to
collect information about the temperature and chemistry of the water,
undersea land formations, and what it all means for weather, wildlife,
and the environment. Oceanographers sometimes go underwater. They use
a submarine to look for deep sea vents and chimneys 1½ miles below
the ocean's surface.
An oceanographer spends a lot of time studying the information she collects
and coming up with new ideas. This means using math and computers to understand
how the oceans work. They also work with other scientists, such as geologists
and marine biologists.
Many oceanographers like the idea of going back and forth between the
ocean and the laboratory. They're like detectives-going to the scene to
find out what happened, collecting evidence, and then solving the case.
Experience and Education
To become an oceanographer, you usually need to get a college degree
in biology, chemistry, geology, or physics and then go for a higher degree
in oceanography.
What You Can Do Now
How can you find out more about being an oceanographer? You should take
science classes like biology and chemistry in school. And you could do
a science project through school or a club. Find out more about the ocean
by reading some books or magazines or look at some Web sites that tell
you about the ocean, volcanoes, global warming, and the environment.
Links
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/links.htm
http://www.whoi.edu/k-12/k12-resources.html
http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/ocd/kids
http://www.onr.navy.mil/onr/careers/insdcov.htm
http://www.sciam.com/explorations/073197seasci/index.html
Robotic Toy Inventor
Dogs, cats, action figures, dinosaurs, and dolls! These are just some
of the new wave of toys that walk, talk, do tricks, and remember things.
Some even know your voice, learn new words, or remind you it's your friend's
birthday. These amazing pets, heroes, and friends have come a long way
from the old stuffed animals and dolls that just sat on your bed. How
do these toys do the things they do? What makes the animal walk? Where
did it learn to roll over? How does it know enough not to run into the
wall or walk off the table? And, how can it possibly go from a sad mood
to a happy one?
The Real Deal
It all starts in the inventor's imagination. Thinking of what would be
fun and how it would look means that the inventor has to be creative-like
an artist. And, maybe a little like a kid, too! She does some drawings,
looks at how other toys work, and decides what parts she needs. Then,
she starts building a model called a "prototype." The prototype
is the starting point for testing and improving the design. Robotic toys
are complicated, though. Knowing how things work, putting it all together,
and getting the toy to act like the real thing means being a bit of an
engineer. Even the best inventor needs a lot of help. Her team probably
includes a designer to work on how the toy will look; some programmers
to put in memory, moods, and personality; and somebody else to figure
out what it will cost. She might even need to work with a puppeteer or
a paleontologist (dinosaur expert) to make the movements look natural.
Some inventors work for a toy company. Others work on their own and sell
their ideas. They might get called in to solve a problem on someone else's
toy. They all like the challenge of turning a fun idea into something
that works just right and makes people happy. When inventors aren't working,
we might find them walking around in a toy store, looking for fun and
the next big idea.
Experience and Education
What does it take to be a robotic toy inventor? There's no specific requirement,
but you should like solving problems. You should be good at math and comfortable
with computers. Many toy inventors have college degrees in some type of
engineering, such as product design, mechanical engineering, or electronics.
Others have studied fine arts or psychology.
What You Can Do Now
To get started and to see if you would like inventing, let your mind
run free-dream something up, draw it, and think of how it would work.
In school, courses like biology, physics, art, and math can put you on
the road to invention. Work on your computer skills, especially graphics.
And remember, inventing takes teamwork. So, get involved in science projects
or other activities in which you work with others.
Links
www.enchantedlearning.com/inventors
http://www.inventorsmuseum.com/
http://inventors.about.com/science/inventors/mbody.htm
http://www.kidsinvent.org/
www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/Cottage/6102/science.html
Web Designer
Mail, games, music, news, chat rooms, and shopping! The Internet is a
big part of the way we live. And it's changing and growing all the time!
More and more people have computers and use the Internet. Using the Internet
means surfing the World Wide Web (that's the "www" you always
hear about). The Web contains a huge number of Web sites-the places you
go to get information and to do things.
The Real Deal
Where do these Web sites come from? They are created by Web designers.
What happens when you click on a word or a picture? Does something move
or send you to another page or "link" you to another Web site?
It's all because of the Web designer. A lot of what Web designers do involves
using a computer programming language-the instructions that control the
way things work on a Web page.
Is Web design all about computer programming? No, it's about creating
something new. Web designers like using their imagination to design a
Web site that looks good and that people enjoy using. A big part of Web
design is art-picking out the best images and colors to make the Web site
interesting and fun. They also write the messages that go into the Web
site. An important part of the job is sharing ideas with the person who
hired them to design the Web site.
Experience and Education
Do you need a college degree? A degree in computer science would help.
But the Internet is so new and changing so fast that most Web designers
teach themselves and just keep learning. Most of them are young and nobody
has years and years of experience. Some people work for big advertising
companies, but most of them work in small Web development companies, or
they work on their own. Like artists, Web designers get jobs by showing
examples of their work.
Like the Internet itself, Web design is a new and wide open field. Math
is a good background for Web design, because of the way it makes you think.
Art, graphics, writing, and computer experience are all part of what you
need.
What You Can Do Now
How do you get started? Like most people, Web designers start by using
computers at home and school-typing, looking things up, playing games,
and e-mailing. After a while, they might experiment, maybe with a friend,
to make their own homepage (the first thing you come to in a Web site).
Links
http://www.scholastic.com/ispy/make/picture.htm
http:/www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0772279.html
http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/kids
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