Ziphozihle Goje thinks for a moment when asked what she is enjoying most about the FabKids computer design workshop in which she was participating. "I like that it's hard," she answers finally with a hint of a smile. "I think I'll take away [from this activity]that our minds combine to make one piece of information," she says, indicating the three other students on her team. "That we work together to solve problems."
Ziphozihle is one of 16 students at Nombulelo Secondary School from grades 9 and 10 who were selected according to their marks in science to participate in a workshop led by Dr. Ron Beyers of Young Engineers and Scientists of Africa. The FabLab that has come to Nombulelo is the mobile version: it is in fact a trailer parked in the lot outside the school.
Ziphozihle Goje thinks for a moment when asked what she is enjoying most about the FabKids computer design workshop in which she was participating. "I like that it's hard," she answers finally with a hint of a smile. "I think I'll take away [from this activity]that our minds combine to make one piece of information," she says, indicating the three other students on her team. "That we work together to solve problems."
Ziphozihle is one of 16 students at Nombulelo Secondary School from grades 9 and 10 who were selected according to their marks in science to participate in a workshop led by Dr. Ron Beyers of Young Engineers and Scientists of Africa. The FabLab that has come to Nombulelo is the mobile version: it is in fact a trailer parked in the lot outside the school.
In teams of four, the students lean in close to their computers, using open-source software to design a 3D sports trophy. Using a laser cutter (a "3D printer"), the students will ultimately render their designs as 2D components cut from Perspex (similar to Plexiglas) and then assemble them as 3D objects.
The core aim of the FabLab outreach project, begun at MIT in the United States, is to enable learners to rapidly design and produce anything from arts and crafts to sophisticated architectural or technological models. The FabLab was introduced to South Africa by the Department of Science and Technology. The website for FabLab South Africa (www.fablab.co.za) showcases designs by local people who have used the lab facilities. One collaboration designed fire-proof insulation tiles to be used in the Soshanguve township of Pretoria.
For many of the children working at Nombulelo, this was their first time doing digital design, and many had limited experience with computers. Beyers hopes that these programs will encourage lateral thinking and creativity, and most importantly social innovation. His aim is to empower children so that when they have an idea of how to make change in their communities, they can bring it to fruition. "Creativity is coming up with an idea," Beyers says. "Innovation is is taking that idea to market."
This school visit, arranged by Anja Fourie of the Grahamstown Foundation, is the result of collaboration between YESA, FabLabs, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and the Department of Science and Technology. The greatest challenge for the program is following through on the initial learning that takes place – creating what Beyers calls a sustained intervention. Only through repeat visits can the learners solidify their skills, but they will be ready to take up the challenge if the opportunity comes their way again. As one group of learners wrote in their end-of-day report, the day was "unforgettable."
