Forbes High School technology students last week got a taste of a computer embedded system program which aims to investigate fun and interactive ways to use science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) to solve real-world programs.
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MadMaker toured central NSW schools, including Forbes High School, last week.
Teachers and students at Forbes High School received a visit from MadMaker’s creators, an electrical engineering team from the University of Sydney.
MadMaker is the brainchild of electrical and information technologies engineer Dr Abelardo Pardo, a specialist in technology-based learning.
It was designed to inspire students who may not have previously considered a future career in engineering, technology or science-related fields.
“MadMaker is about showing and teaching participants in a fun, engaging way about embedded systems and how they are used in our everyday life,” University of Sydney’s Owen Braiser, who conducted the workshops, said.
“During a MadMaker session students use STEM subjects to solve real-world problems in an exciting new way – exploring and designing systems with the popular and user-friendly Arduino Esplora board.
“We picked Arduino Esplora boards because they are an introductory level device, inexpensive, and with functionality to include videos and interactive activities. But it’s also a powerful tool to learn with. If the schools or students want to continue exploring and designing, the costs of the kits are not prohibitive, around about $85.”
Microsoft has supported the regional teacher training workshops with a philanthropic donation.
“From our research, we know that students are keen to engage with computer science,” Anna Howarth, Microsoft Philanthropies manager, said.
“We are proud to support MadMaker, as the focus on building the competency of teachers to bring computational thinking into the classroom is powerful and helps to drive systemic change in education.”
