Youth and the future of Science and Technology

As we take bigger strides into the future, questions like where we were, where we are, and where we are going to be must be reflected upon. Looking through the ages; the middle age, the machine age, the atomic age, and the present information age, one would notice that a lot has been achieved in terms of science and technology. A lot of problems and issues has been solved and there is still a lot more to be solved with the help of science and technology.

Globally, nations are taking particular interests in developing the sector of science and technology because it rules everything we do today. We wake to the sound of an alarm clock, bathe under a shower or in a tub, have breakfast using a toaster or electric cooker, and drive to our place of work in a gasoline or electric powered car. Technology controls all of these.

Till this era, youth and their efforts for development have not been forgotten. In the light of this, Benjamin Disraeli said, “Almost everything that is great has been done by youth.” The downside remains that youths are not prepared to contribute to these developmental changes. Moving forward, there would a lot more progress if they have the opportunity to pitch their ideas too. Erasmus put it succinctly as he said, “The main hope of a nation is in the proper education of its youth.”

Creativity is a vital tool required in the field of science and technology. Youths can make an enormous impact in the field because youths possess more power of creativity. Youths can better handle tasks that require serious mental and physical power. They should be at the forefront of researching and brainstorming for solutions to existing problems or ascertain new ideas. Youth, hardwired with the will to go on, will go the extra mile to explore uncharted areas to find answers to their questions. The popular saying ‘Youth has no age’ emphasizes the limitless potential youths have to achieve anything conceivable.

Education in this aspect cannot be neglected. Marie Von Eschenbach has said, “In youth we learn, in age we understand.” This world already has a lot of examples of success of youth in science and technology.  Kenneth Shinozuka, a New York teenager, invented a sensor for patients with dementia. Eesha Khare invented a storage device that could charge your phone in twenty to thirty seconds. Param Jaggi invented a device that converts Carbon (IV) oxide to oxygen while you drive, and Dwi Nailah Izzah and her partner Rintya Aprianti Miki both won laurels for creating an air freshener from cow dung.

Since the youths have indicated that empowerment of science and technology in the world is the involvement of youths, their involvement in the sector should be increased in every possible way. As a youth, I have an innate belief that we would be the largest contributors to this cause.