-SandhiyaBala
STEM Land was invited to Salem to conduct a three-day capacity-building and Electronics workshop with the Students of 7th and 9th grade along with all the teachers at Vidhya Peetham School. The workshop aimed to engage with the Students and Teachers and help them understand basic Electronics and on building leadership skills in the teachers and students using Radical Transformational Leadership Tools (RTL) (Monica Sharma, 2017).
Day-1(On 23rd August 2024)
Morning Session:
We introduced ourselves using our universal values which made the students and teachers curious about the same. The introduction was followed by a session Stand & Fear Tool where the students and teachers identified and enquired about their universal values and how they can harness them to face their fears. After this we gave a brief introduction on Mathegramming and our core values, we proceeded the workshop with the foundational concepts of electricity, creating a truly dynamic learning experience!
Purpose: Empowering Minds and Energizing Learning
The primary goal of this workshop was twofold:
- To help participants tap into their inner strengths and develop leadership skills.
- To provide a solid understanding of Electric current and its principles. This included learning about charge, voltage, current, power, and energy.
Later, Dinesh introduced the exciting world of electric currents, explaining fundamental concepts and giving exercises to solidify understanding. Participants learned about household electricity, types of batteries, and even calculated energy consumption!
Afternoon Session:
Post-lunch, the mood was lightened with a fun video and a dance session (Thought break), and we introduced Deep Listening and Background Conversations with both Students and Teachers. The session incorporated time for reflection they can reflect on the past and apply what they learned to think about what they could have done differently.
Using materials like LEDs, multimeters, and connecting wires, students explored real-life applications of electrical concepts. They tested conductivity, and body resistance, and learned the differences between poor and good conductors. The hands-on activities not only deepened their understanding but also made learning incredibly fun!
Outcomes:
Day 1 of the basics of electronics workshop was a remarkable success. Participants discovered their inner values, learned to face their fears, and Deep Listening and Background Conversations, and gained a thorough understanding of electric currents. They didn’t just learn the theory—they lived it!
Electronics and Circuits Workshop – Day 2(On 24rd August 2024)
The second day started with a two-minute stillness and focused attention on breathing, then we introduced to the four profiles i.e., an RTL Tool to understand different parts of our identities.
The purpose of Day 2 was threefold:
- To guide participants in connecting with 4 profiles and types of Complaints tools.
- To deepen their understanding of electric circuits, resistors, and the practical application of these concepts.
- To start to give the exposure of kirigami to children.
Morning Session:
Saranya kicked off the session with exercises that encouraged students to connect with their inner values and introduced 4 profiles. This was followed by a discussion where each group shared their insights on stage. Dinesh kickstarted the electronics and circuits workshop taking the stage to explain the essential concepts of electric circuits and the function of resistors. Students learned to calculate voltage and current using resistors and LEDs, exploring these concepts hands-on with multimeters, and breadboards. The activity was not just about theory; it was about seeing, touching, and feeling the flow of electricity!
Afternoon Session:
The afternoon kicked off with an energizing video and dance(thought break), recharging everyone for more learning. we reconnected with RTL tools and explained the three types of complaints. This made them see complaints from a different perspective rather than usual.
Participants learned to work with seven-segment displays, understanding how to use switches to control the flow of electricity. The fun didn’t stop there! A creative craft session led by Sowndharya introduced the art of kirigami. Students crafted intricate paper balls, enhancing their concentration and creativity. This unique blend of electronics and art not only made the learning experience holistic but also incredibly enjoyable!
Outcomes:
By the end of Day 2 of the electronics and circuit workshop, students gained invaluable insights into their inner strengths and the practical application of electronic concepts like resistors and seven-segment displays. The creativity and teamwork on display were truly electrifying!
Day-3
On the last day(Sunday), At First, we planned to take the advanced electronics session only for teachers but the effectiveness of the last two days’ workshop triggered students to participate even on Sunday to take part in the session along with teachers.
We hadn’t expected students to show so much interest and join the optional session on Sunday.
They learned types of switches, connecting 2 letters/ numbers (7-segment display) in the breadboard, and potentiometer to vary the resistance.
In the afternoon we introduced scratch and polypod to explore mathematics visually. In Polypod children were also to project on their own with the guidance of the mentors.
