Strengthening educator’s competencies for distance STEM learning through physical computing & DIY electronics
▶Summary
The increasing dominance of online activities among young people, coupled with a declining interest in offline learning, has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a decline in cruc...
▶Objectives
The SCRAPY project aims to enhance educators' skills in STEM distance learning by providing a comprehensive solution with tailored hardware and software to teach physical computing, programming, and DIY electronics to young students. Specific objectives include offering a hands-on and engaging approach, developing a versatile educational package for both in-person and remote classes, strengthening educators' abilities to deliver engaging lessons with digital tools, integrating gamification and experiential learning, creating a community of practice through a virtual academy, formulating evidence-based recommendations for the integration of educational games into school curricula, and bolstering educational institutions to provide quality and inclusive digital education.
▶Impact
The SCRAPY project has realized its objectives by developing innovative educational resources. An electronic kit, the SCRAPY KIT, has been created with a Raspberry Pi Pico, custom sensors, and essential peripherals. It is accompanied by the SCRAPY Coder, an online coding platform based on Google Blockly, facilitating the programming of the hardware. The SCRAPY Guide provides detailed instructions and lesson plans to guide educators in using the suggested hardware and software. To foster interaction, the SCRAPY Academy has been established online, allowing educators, students, and STEM stakeholders to come together, showcase projects, and develop project outcomes. These achievements have strengthened the distance learning of STEM subjects and equipped educators with skills to deliver engaging lessons.