It’s a great idea to encourage children at an early age to take an interest in topics that matter in the world in which they live and teach them skills they’ll need in the 21st century workforce.

Two recent classes that drew youths from Butler County exemplify this mantra. This past weekend, the Young Voices for the Planet seminar in Franklin Township involved participation from some local schools. The program included workshops on civic engagement and democracy and was aimed at developing confidence and self-esteem in students, all the while encouraging participants’ interest in environmental education. And last week in Cranberry Township, fifth-grade pupils took part in a CIRC (Creativity, Innovation and Research Center) Tank presentation. During the program, which runs through mid-March, students come up with inventions and, in the process, learn how to produce a PowerPoint presentation, use a 3D printer, create TV commercials, make sketches and prototypes and take part in presentations. Most importantly, the students learn to work together as a team.

Recently, we ran an editorial on how some local teachers were placing less of an emphasis on standardized tests and more on critical thinking and learning. Programs like the two held this past week are great examples of this type of learning.

As our society becomes more complex and digitally reliant, students need to learn the type of 21st century skills that studies have found to be essential — critical thinking, problem solving and teamwork, for example. The CIRC Tank program helps to promote such abilities.

“We learned a lot about working together,” said Eric Karpinsky, a fifth grader who presented with three other students last weekend at Haine Middle School in Cranberry Township.

The Young Voices for the Planet also teaches some of these skills and encourages young people to take an interest in the environment. We agree with teachers who attended the event that it’s never too early to get students interested in the world around them, and empower them to help make changes in their own surroundings. “We need to revive democracy and get kids involved in local government,” said Lynne Cherry, an author who led the workshop. Agreed.

Both CIRC Tank and Young Voices for the Planet are great examples of programs that not only teach children important skills that will benefit them in the workforce, but also give them confidence to speak in front of others, promote teamwork with their fellow students and get them excited about learning. We’re glad to see Butler County students having access to and taking part in such programs.