techtrails: It's All About Tech-Knowledge-Y

Posted by Sarah Mitchell on 24 March 2011 | 0 Comments

Tags: techtrails, Scitech, robotics

The WITWA committee recently spent a morning at Scitech to get a closer look at how they’ll be contributing to our techtrails program. Scitech are collaborating with techtrails using the techno truck to deliver the hands-on part of our program. We were especially excited about getting our own hands on the equipment after listening to Russell Hammond speak at our techtrails launch in November. Going in with high expectations, we were blown away by the end of the morning.

We met with Lauren Davis, Technology Crusader, (We adore that title!) and one of the presenters for the techno truck and other Scitech programs. She walked us through the modules on New Media and Robotics that will be presented to the students.  One thing became clear very quickly to our committee; we can learn a lot from Scitech when it comes to presenting to young people and fostering their enthusiasm. Even though we’re all seasoned public speakers, Lauren gave us a lot of insight about how to keep students engaged.

Rapid adoption rates for new media

Lauren also shared interesting statistics gleaned from Scitech research and Neilson research papers:

• It took Radio 38 years to reach an audience of 50 million
• It took Television 13 years to reach an audience of 50 million
• It took iPod 6 years to reach an audience of 50 million
• It took Facebook 3 years to reach an audience of 50 million
• It took Farmville less than a year to reach an audience of 50 million

Programming Robots

We all had a chance to participate in the Robotics workshop. Given iPads, iPhones and a Lego robot, we had a quick whirl on using technology to get our instructions AND program the robots. While we’ve all been involved in technology for many years, it was the first time any of us had an opportunity to work with the Lego robots. The hardest part of the exercise was knowing we had other meetings to get to and couldn’t spend more time with Lauren and Scitech.

Working towards the goal

We came away from the meeting energised by the experience. Scitech has put a lot of thought into how they can connect with youth and make technology a super cool industry to pursue even for children not attracted to technology. Russell stressed in his presentation that it was Scitech’s aim to impart ‘tech-knowledge’ to every student visiting the Techno Truck. We think they’ve hit the mark and then some. 

Have you ever programmed a robot?

Image Credits: Russell Hammond courtesy of John Bain from John Bain Photography. techno truck swiped directly from the Scitech website.