The environment, social entrepreneurship and my son

[lisabees]

Well, my sweet son just turned 17 a few minutes ago. Tonight, we talked for two hours about his goals and dreams. This will be his first year hs, and he was sharing his ideas for his "big" project.

 

Ds has always had ideas. Lots of them. He has journals upon journals of all kinds of ideas. He has trouble going to sleep at night, because he can't shut his mind off. He thinks of big, important things. Things most kids don't think about. Thus, the reason he is running home - to have the opportunity to run wild with his ideas, instead of feeling trapped and alone with them.

 

Anyway, for the past year, he has been thinking a lot about the environment and global warming. Being a computer programmer, he'd like to create an open source network for collaboration among those interested/involved in environmental issues. Yes, a huge idea. I'm okay with that.

 

My question is how do I support this? How do I find adults with whom he can collaborate? Should we make sure to have an organized plan in place?

He is great at public speaking and would like to do that as well.

 

I want him to see what it takes to make an idea happen, even if it doesn't turn out the way he had planned. It's the journey, not the destination, right?

 

Anyway, I am so proud of my little boy, who really is on the cusp of being a wonderful man. I want to take advantage of our two years of homeschooling and I'm not quite sure how to do it.

 

Any ideas and thoughts are greatly appreciated.;)

[Gwen in VA]

At the beginning, he should take some time to really get to know the blogosphere dealing with global warming. It takes time to get to know the "pulse" of a group of people and what types of services they already have and what needs they have that are unmet.

 

My ds knows a kid (rising junior in college) who blogs about global warming and has actually been invited to speak at a major conference. (His blog is linked on several of the major players' blogs) So it is possible for a teen to make contributions!

 

My younger ds is now well-respected in his area of interest, but he spent several years hanging out on online forums and going to competitions, festivals, and conferences before he actually stepped out and tried to make a name for himself. And even now, he finds that personal connections are hugely important.

 

I guess what I';m saying is that your son should really STUDY STUDY STUDY, figure out over time where he might be able to make a contribution, and make connections with people in the area of interest.

[lisabees]

At the beginning, he should take some time to really get to know the blogosphere dealing with global warming. It takes time to get to know the "pulse" of a group of people and what types of services they already have and what needs they have that are unmet.

 

My ds knows a kid (rising junior in college) who blogs about global warming and has actually been invited to speak at a major conference. (His blog is linked on several of the major players' blogs) So it is possible for a teen to make contributions!

 

My younger ds is now well-respected in his area of interest, but he spent several years hanging out on online forums and going to competitions, festivals, and conferences before he actually stepped out and tried to make a name for himself. And even now, he finds that personal connections are hugely important.

 

I guess what I';m saying is that your son should really STUDY STUDY STUDY, figure out over time where he might be able to make a contribution, and make connections with people in the area of interest.

 

Thank you Gwen. Ds has spent the past year "studying" the blogosphere. There is so much out there on global warming etc. It's exciting and overwhelming. I already told ds that we would take the time to attend conferences etc. so I'm glad you confirmed that. You have given us great advice. I will remind him to be patient and really know and understand the players and the game before jumping in.

 

Your advice is always appreciated Gwen. Thank you. ;)