Lifelong Learning with RayKitty
Cognitive Health: Staying Sharp
As people seek education, the primary drivers are to gain new knowledge and stay mentally sharp. lAs we age learners are driven less often by social pressure, and both men and women saw learning as part of controlling their personal well-being, with the vast majority (83%) believing it is vitally important to keep your brain active. Similarly, 54% are motivated to stay sharp or promote brain health.
This concept of cognitive health fuels many to already identify as lifelong learners, but it also motivates others to express a desire to learn something new in the future.
Brittne Kakulla, AARP Research, March 2022
While working at the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History I worked predominantly with students. But I found the classes would often have "visitors", senior volunteers would stand and watch and began to volunteer to work with me in the classes and on outreach into schools giving them the opportunity to learn science concepts that now seem commonplace for students. These "experiments" and demonstrations simply weren't available until recent years and the seniors loved them! Now that I have opened my own science workshop I welcome parents and grandparents to join in the sessions and they come away enjoying learning as much as the students.
I have always had a heart for the elderly and those with special needs. My wife and I performed puppet shows for several years for a group of special needs individuals before we volunteered with at-risk youth. Teaching is a passion for me and I believe in a kindness-first mentality that fits nicely with informal education. My goal is to ignite interest and make someone enjoy learning about the wonderful universe around us. This is why I believe,
"Science shows you matter!"