Our goal is to spark kids' interest in STEM through hands-on electronics projects. Initially, we explored breadboards for their prototyping flexibility.
Our first attempt looked something like this - The initial prototype offered valuable insights into simplifying components and layout for optimal learning experiences.
Then, we envisioned a learning platform that's:
Sustainable: Built for reuse and minimal waste with locally available resources. Simple: Easy to assemble and use, making STEM accessible to all. Interactive: Enabling kids to program and customize their creations. Confidence-boosting: Showcasing the power of STEM and igniting future aspirations.
We wanted to teach kids about STEM through cool projects. So we dug into lots of research papers and looked at tons of existing kits and toys.
Then after lots of design thinking and sketching we made this👇
We utilized Figma for designing the 2D diagrams and opted for MDF material for crafting the component holders. The fabrication process involved laser cutting to achieve the desired shapes. Then for the connectors we used simple nut and bolt and 3D printed the knobs for easy use and added ring connectors to wires. Then it was time for assembling the electronics components. In one kit, there was LED, Resistor, LDR, battery holder, switch each and two AA battery.
<aside> 📌 We were ready to test it!
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We conducted a trial of the prototype with 10 students from Pragati Shikshya Sadhan on 25th August 2023, aiming to teach them basic circuit building skills.
The students not only enjoyed interacting with our designed components but also gained a solid understanding of the working principles of electronic components. Interestingly, they expressed greater enthusiasm for this hands-on learning experience compared to their Scratch coding classes. This positive feedback reinforced our belief that we are moving in the right direction with our initiative to design STEM resources for practical, engaging learning experiences. Learn more about it here👇
Our Journey to Make STEM Fun and Accessible in Community Schools
As we closely observed students using our developed resources, we noticed that the small size of the screws made it tedious for them to fasten and unfasten, and the students said the same. In response, we addressed this issue by changing the screws to ones with less pitch and fewer threads. Furthermore, we modified the design of the 3D printed knobs and made it bigger size. These enhancements were made before testing with another group of 50 students at Namuna Machhindra School.
