As opposed to PROGRAMMING

Get them some building kit like mindstorms. This kid created a mock-car factory using mindstorms. Just search youtube for lots of similar examples.

Or kits to build steam and stirling engines.

Hands-on experience.

Is that what you wanted to write?

Forcing someone to attend won't magically make him interested or engaged in the subject. They need good teachers for that. And good exams so bad studens won't pass by cheating and those who do pass will be actually well prepared.