Cookies, Kids, and Technical Communication
by Jean Fudge
Tech Fest is a program dedicated to introducing kids to science, technology, engineering, medicine and math (STEM). The program includes hands-on, interactive exhibits staffed with volunteer professionals from societies, companies, museums, universities and other technology organizations. It was held Feb. 14 and 15 at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio.
Members of the Southwest Ohio (SWO) chapter of the Society for Technical Communication (STC) challenged children to explain to an outer space alien how to eat a cookie. More than 500 children accepted the challenge, taking the time to write the procedure on handouts distributed by SWO STC. Each child also was offered an Oreo to sweeten the deal – and to serve as a visual aid.
Children were quick to grasp the basics:
- Grab cookie.
- Place in mouth.
- Chew.
- Swallow.
Some offered extras, such as audience analysis.
“Does the alien have hands?”
“Are cookies poison to the alien?”
“Does the alien understand English?”
One young lady exhibited thorough comprehension of the process, adding:
- Digest.
- Go to bathroom.
All told, nearly 600 Oreos were distributed. Students completed roughly 500 handouts while standing at the booth.
Children and their parents also viewed winning entries from the STC international competition. SWO STC got a helping hand from Sinclair Community College, whose multimedia department loaned the five laptops used to display the online competition winners.
Many thanks to the STC members who volunteered to help make the event a success for SWO STC! Thanks to:
- Thea Teich
- Jackie Watkins
- Tom Milligan
- Cheryl Drake
- Cheryl Stewart
- Doug Boatman
- Crystal Dunson
- Stephen Daugherty
- Craig Kupras
- Maggie Prince
- Karen Rokich
- Louise Tincher
- Jean Fudge
- Judy Harper
