This year our PEACH group kicked off a Tech Club. Two of the dads are taking on teaching the teens about the latest technologies.
They had about a dozen kids show up for the first meeting. Mr. K walked the kids through different areas of interest to find out what the kids knew and what they were hoping to learn.
The first thing on their agenda is learning about 3-D printing. It all starts with making a virtual design of the object you want to create. This virtual design is for instance a CAD (Computer Aided Design) file. This CAD file is created using a 3D modeling application. The kids are using websites like Thingiverse and Shapeways to make their creations. When their 3-D creations are created, they will upload and print them. There are even websites where you could make something like a pendant for a necklace and then have a 3-D printer print it in a precious metal!
Another thing they will be working on is programming a Raspberry Pi. Pi is small educational device, meant for hobbyists and aspiring youths out there to learn about programming. The chip's main purpose is to power a cheap computer with a basic level of functionality, mainly geared towards small task. For example you could program the small board to take a photo when someone rings your doorbell. The photo would be instantly sent to your phone and you would know who is at your door!
It will be interesting to see what automations the kids create! I'm really thankful to have parents willing to teach the kids these latest innovations. So many changes since the dot matrix printer!!
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. Proverbs 18:15
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