Re: Causes of lack o f interest in electronics
As a boy I had early exposure to the fun side of electricity. A summer course which included making a telegraph and buzzer.
Doing experiments in 'boy scientist' type books (powered by a tall 1.5V dry cell). School lab sessions exploring meters, resistors, capacitors.
However I didn't 'get' the electronics side of it. Solid state theory, etc. Not until years into adulthood.
Even to reach that point was after I'd accumulated a box or two of spare electronics parts scavenged from old radios and tv's. Because I'd found it was all too easy to destroy a few dollars worth of new parts.
This isn't the easiest field to pursue. Yet of all the scientific fields that got my interest in youth, electronics has been the one that has turned out to play a continued part of my life. In practical ways as well as fun.
Seems like half of our world is by way of electronics in one way or another. Either from having AC power, or from technological gadgetry.
I believe youngsters would benefit from finding out what's in reach for them with just a little knowledge. How to test batteries. How to read a multimeter. How to use a soldering gun. How they can save money by repairing their own cables. (With due caution re working around house current.)
That might instill a perspective as to the value of electronics (electricity).
However such practical learning is not likely to get taught in school. Electronics tends to be equipment-intensive. Meaning expense. On the other hand to teach theory is inexpensive.
Furthermore superintendents want to avoid having irate parents say "What are trying to do, electrocute my child?"
Whatever experiments are authorized need to be zero risk for schoolkids. Nevertheless these can still be catchy in their way. Changing an LED's brightness with a potentiometer.
Watching an oscilloscope display light beam pulses coming from a remote control, or the waveforms of beeps coming from someone's cell phone. Creating a simple timer circuit. Etc.
And some overview of what electronics does in our daily lives, and how vast and varied a realm it has become, and what avenues of pursuit there are, and the devices and terminology used.