If you use microcontrollers, you might know SparkFun Electronics as a supplier of small development and add-on boards for Arduino modules as well as boards that use AVR, ARM, MSP430, and other MCUs. The company, which now has 140 employees, has stressed electronics for education from its founding in a dorm room several years ago.
I recently learned SparkFun has started a "crowd-funding" project to sponsor a tour that will promote electronics education throughout the US and perhaps in Canada, too. You can find the National Tour 2013 project on the Kickstarter Website. So far, the project has received 256 pledges for a total of just over $20,000. The goal is $150,000, and the fundraising phase ends on December 19 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
For every $3,000 raised, a team of highly trained instructors from SparkFun will travel to your state, or possibly your city, and donate a SparkFun Inventor's Kit Lab Pack of tools and equipment worth $1,250.
During their stay, instructors will host an all-day class to train teachers and educators about electronics. Attendees will learn how hands-on electronics integrated into a curriculum can fulfill some state and federal teaching standards (including STEM and STEAM initiatives). According to SparkFun, the tour could include as many as 300 stops if the Kickstarter community pitches in with pledges. (Pledges don't require payment until the project reaches it's goal, and pledgers receive several types of gifts for each pledge level.)
Here's an opportunity for a quick fundraising project parents and students could jump into. A pledge to the SparkFun Kickstart project instead of holiday shopping might give your school or community the opportunity to inject some electronics into classroom activities. And teachers would learn how to integrate electronics into science and math classes. I'll make a pledge as soon as I finish writing this blog.
This is such a great use of Kickstarter. I have mostly only seen it used for raising funds for tech or gaming items, so a roject that helps educate kids in electronics is a great use of the website.
I have to give kudos to SparkFun for even thinking of this idea. Brilliant! At a time when government support for education seems at an all time low, anything that the private sector can do to fill the gap is welcome. I'm in!
I agree. It's brilliant. I like that they target elementary, middle, and high school students. According to the kickstarter site, Texas is ahead of California in contributions...gotta stand up for my state and get those numbers higher!
How about a tax break for time donated to local schools for actively teaching a subject? Or at least a way for an employee to get a couple hours off every month to attend a school to teach what they know?
How about a tax break for time donated to local schools for actively teaching a subject? Or at least a way for an employee to get a couple hours off every month to attend a school to teach what they know?
Tim, I agree. It is nice to see education initiatives posted on Kickstarter. I truly hope this initiative receives the funding because its vital for our society to have an electronics technology awarness. Also, it will keep a pool of Electrical-Electronic Engineers available for future tech jobs!
Hi, T.J. Yes, some time off from a job to teach or volunteer at a school would help students and teachers, but I don't know of any companies that make provisions for such a thing. At one time Apple gave employees a sabbatical, and it still might. A "sabbatical" of an afternoon a week to teach or assist kids makes a lot of sense. Companies and schools would need some sort of curriculum so volunteers wouldn't just show up and "hang out" with students. Some teachers and administrators get prickly, though, when approached about getting assistance from non-teachers. They think their teachers know everything and often shun outside assistance. Sad but true; and I have run into this situation here.
It IS a great idea. I hope the US Gov't takes note of this. A strong example of private industry working in a free market, to strengthen the economy and provide education for the future. As it should be; growth and strength by the people, for the people -- without bureaucratic intervention and need to control.
JimT, Yes, sometimes the best solutions to problems is from people bootstrapping their own resources. Today's society is based on people solving problems using skills and knowledge they have instead of dependency from government agencies. The red tape can really slow down progress.
I agree completely, Scott. Simply putting a new emphasis on technology in schools is a step in the right direction. I remember in the 80s when Apple started pushing computers into school. They won a good portion of a whole generation by going into schools.
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