Robotics workshop in Mwanza: Renewable energy
MWANZA e.V. is pleased to present the fifth Robotics Workshop in Mwanza. The event took place from 09 to 14 September 2024 at the Gunzerthaus in Mwanza. Once again, the children were enthusiastic about the technology and the possibilities it offers. The workshop aimed to provide participants with basic skills in programming, engineering and maths, with a focus on renewable energy.
Thanks to the generous support of WÜPAKA, we were able to realise this workshop. It was organised by MITzKITS, a social, Tanzanian edutech start-up in Mwanza. Their focus is on organising programming and robotics workshops and developing simple, entertaining experiment sets for scientific topics.
We are convinced that this workshop will not only expand the participants’ technical knowledge, but also enhance their creativity and problem-solving skills while understanding the importance of renewable energy for a sustainable future.
Workshop programme:
As part of the workshop, children will be immersed in the fascinating world of energy. They learn about the different forms of energy such as kinetic, potential, thermal and chemical energy and are given an introduction to renewable energy. Through exciting, interactive experiments, the children learn how sustainable energy sources such as sun, wind and water work. In addition, the importance of saving energy is emphasised and practical tips for efficient energy use at home are provided.
As part of practical projects, the children have the opportunity to apply their newly acquired knowledge. They build simple electrical circuits, enabling them to understand the basics of electricity and energy transmission. Another project involves the conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy and vice versa: a motor is powered by a battery, and electrical energy is generated when the motor is in dynamo mode. The children also build a salt battery to illustrate the electrochemical storage of energy. Finally, they construct a power bank to store energy, which gives them a practical understanding of the use of energy in their everyday lives.
The students are also introduced to the world of solar energy. They learn how sunlight is converted into electrical energy and make their own small solar panels. They measure the voltage generated when making a simple solar panel with LEDs and connect several solar cells together to form a functional solar panel that serves as a charging station.
Another focus is on the practical application of solar energy, where students learn how direct current is converted to alternating current and the basics of microcontroller programming. They build a small inverter project to understand the integration of renewable energy into everyday life and learn how programming and electronics work together.
The highlight of the workshop is the construction of solar-powered cars, in which the children recognise the importance of renewable technologies and experience their potential to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. They plan and design the car chassis, integrate the electronic components and programme the control system. At the end of the workshop, the children have the opportunity to proudly present their solar-powered cars and the other projects to their parents. This final presentation allows them to share their newly acquired knowledge and reflect on their experiences while recognising the importance of renewable energy and its application in practice.
When children learn how to design and programme robots, they develop an understanding of technical challenges and learn to find innovative solutions. This innovative power is crucial for the development of new products and services that meet the needs of society. In a country like Tanzania, which is in a constant process of development, it is important that the young generation is able to develop creative approaches to solving problems.
We would like to thank all our supporters and look forward to further successful events!
We rely on your support to continue and expand this valuable initiative. Together we can promote enthusiasm for science and technology and offer even more children and young people the opportunity to discover and develop their talents. Your help is crucial to realising our vision of an inspiring and educational future.
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Robotik- und Programmier- Workshops in Mwanza – M.W.A.N.Z.A. e.V. – betterplace.org