Children trained by British Council on basic computer coding skills from peri urban area of Mtandire in Lilongwe, have created different digital based solutions to perennial problems facing their community.
The children used a BBC micro:bit -a pocket-sized programmable computer designed to help children learn the basics of computer coding.
British Council’s Our Shared Goal (OSG) project through one of its implementing partner MHub, has for the past three weeks, the trained 33 children of Mtandire in basic computer skills and use of micro:bit.
On Saturday, the British Council in partnership with Institute of Imagination conducted hackathon session hosted at MHub. In the course of rapid software development challenge, the children discussed and identify possible solutions problems they face in their areas.
In groups, the children created projects which they integrated computer coding skills using micro:bit with arts and craft to bring out innovative solutions applicable to their community and national level.
This resulted in innovative inventions that included; home security alarms where one micro:bit can send intruder alert to another micro:bit connected to a speaker, traffic lights, automatic water pumps, bullying and corruption reporting systems, wind turbines for irrigation and electricity generation, as well as a radio transmission system that patients admitted in a hospital can use to alert doctors of an emergency.
Prototypes used available resources and materials that includes tinfoil, cardboards, speakers, motors, glue, and many other conductive materials.
“I have learned a lot about computer and what I can do with the micro:bit.” Said Smani Zungu, a standard 8 pupil at Kamkodola primary school, and explains; “Security is a problem in my village, so, I have learnt that I can use micro:bit to create something that can bring security in Mtandire, as well as solving the problem of poor waste disposal.”
A girl 14, Christina who is in standard 8 at Muzu primary school said with micro:bit she can develop a solution that can protect girls from all forms of abuse.
“I have learned on how I can use micro:bit to send an instant message alert to friends and family or police about acts of gender based violence at school, home, or reporting men who may want to attack girls. I can also use micro:bit to locate position of girl in a dangerous situation for rescue.” She explained
The digital innovations exhibited on Saturday, will be assessed for possible consideration to compete in a Do You Bit competition where the children with the best idea will get a chance of traveling to London.
British Council Initiative
Mr. McDonald Nyoni, British Council Malawi Head of Programs said British Council intends to inspire the children to use digital technologies that can bring solutions in their community.
“We are implementing Our Shared Goal project in Mtandire for the past 2 years where we have graduated over 950 boys and girls with Life Skills trained that have improved understanding to human rights and reporting mechanisms, challenged gender stereotypes, and empowered girls through safe spaces. We deliver this project using Sports as a means for engagement.” He said
“Micro:bit technology comes in as value addition to Our Shared Goal because graduates from the project are at a better position to talk and explore solutions to their community challenges such as poverty, human rights abuse, child marriage and high school dropout rate. Leveraging digital to put their ideas into action is a better and innovative way to engage and empower them as agents of change.” He explained
He then said the children can do more with micro:bit but what is needed is to develop their expertise to explore this type of computer chip. He said micro:bit helps children to think, solve problems and that micro:bit translate that result into digital enabled solution.
Reacting to the inventions, Helen Elizabeth Farley, Workshop Facilitator at the Institute of Imagination, said it was amazing to see the children creating great things in a short space of time.
“Range of ideas and all these ideas that have really linked with their local community and staff that really matter to them. I think that they are really important.” said Farley adding that such ideas can be progressed further
Farley said micro:bit can help children to incorporate creativity and thinking and learning through doing. She added that the tiny computer chip has many different components to it with many life features which can among other things be used to detect temperature, create games, and make accelerometer.
She underscored that having the micro:bit what remain is for these children to play around and explore different functions that it has for them to see where ideas and imagination takes them.
“Advice I would give would be, they should continue with trying out different codes, testing different possibilities, because you will learn through doing and making. And if something doesn’t work or do something it fails then honestly that doesn’t matter, because that’s how you progress and how your inventions comes to life.”
Vincent Kumwenda, MHub CEO said the training which they offer to children from Mtandire in computer skills is a continuation of partnership that exists with British Council through Our Shared Goal Project in which Play Football Malawi and Tingathe Foundation also work as implementing partners.
“As MHub we are very much interested in technology and innovation. We are going to work with these children beyond this program because we know that it is exciting to them and it is an entry level to science and technology, engineering and mathematics.”
According to Nyoni, this is a pilot phase and that once it registers success the British Council will consider rolling out the project to other areas.
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