DIGITAL MAKER PROGRAMME
National Computer Board (NCB), through the Digital Maker Programme (DMP) is engaging itself in capacity building among youngsters over 16 hours of training offered in some 15 Youth Centers in Mauritius to use programmable boards such as BBC micro: bits and other devices such as Arduino to build up projects. The assistance of technical resource persons will be roped in to provide practical sessions. A future emanation of the programme will be the setting up of regional Maker Communities, including secondary & tertiary students and potential start-ups, interested in developing prototypes and proofs of concept. 3D printing services available at NCB 3D printing centers will be made available to the communities to mount prototype projects. NCB will also assist the various Maker Communities in documenting their proof of concepts. It is also plan to organise local hackathons among the best regional participants. The possibility for the winners of the local hackathons to participate in international hackathons will be explored.
About the programme Digital Maker Programme
Digital Maker Programme (DMP) is an endeavour to build space within a community to bring the community members youngsters, educators, parents, industry experts together to encourage the activity of digital making. It links people from different sectors and background to come together in a community context to contribute to the spreading and mastery of digital making knowledge.
NCB has been mandated to implement the programme to be delivered at various Youth Centres during weekends and school holidays and targeting children as from Grades 7 and above in view of stimulating their interest in STEM subjects. We are planning to reach around 2,000 youngsters over this financial year.
The sessions planned for Grades 7 to 10 will cover the setting up of electronic Micro: bits boards followed by coding which is now considered as a basic skill to be acquired by all students. It is also planned to organise local hackathons among the best regional participants.
For students of Grades 11 and above, it is planned to organise workshops or boot camps during school holidays for the building of prototypes on more complex Arduino boards as well as the assembly and operationalsing of 3D printing kits.
Digital Maker - BBC Micro: bits
The National Computer Board (NCB) will introduce students of Grades 7 to 10 at Youth Centers with the BBC micro:bits boards as well as other programmable devices. The assistance of technical trainers will be roped in to provide hands-on training sessions during weekends and school holidays.
Students will be taught how to program or code these devices and mount small projects. Coding is now considered as a basic skill to be acquired by all students to prepare them for the modern technological era. Time permitting, educational robots will also be introduced.
Digital Maker (Advanced) - Arduino & 3D Printing
For students of Grades 11 and above, it is planned to organise more advanced workshops or boot camps during school holidays for the building of prototypes on more complex Arduino boards as well as the assembly and operationalsing of 3D printing kits. NCB will also consider handing over these boards and 3D printing kits to the Youth Centres.
Digital Maker Communities
A future emanation of the programme will be the setting up of regional Maker Communities, including tertiary students and potential Start-ups, interested in developing prototypes and proofs of concept. 3D printers and laser cutters available at NCB will be made available to the communities. NCB will also assist the various Maker Communities to set up their dedicated websites.
Hackathon
It is also planned to organise local hackathons among the best regional participants. All equipment will be provided by NCB. The possibility for the winners of the local hackathons to participate in international hackathons will be explored.
Digital Maker Hubs
Digital Maker Hubs (DMH) emanates from the Digital Maker Programme will be initiated in selected youth centers owned by the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports & Recreation in collaboration with the National Computer Board aiming to create more innovative young minds and actively bringing ideas come to life. The different components of the DMH are as follows:
- Prototyping Studio
- Creative Lab
- Digital Fabrication Studio
- Electronics Corner
- Testing Space
- Discussion Corner
1. Prototyping Studio
The prototyping studio is a component of the digital maker programme where learners get to build physical prototypes of the actual product to test every concept of their design. These prototypes use basic everyday materials. (Highly recommended: recyclable materials). Students need to build physical models of their ideas. This helps students to visualise concepts and ideas
Tools:
- Paper / cardboard / plastic products
- Binding materials (tapes, adhesives, binders, fasteners)
- Cutting tools (scissors, blade
2. Creative Lab
The creative lab is a component of the digital maker programme where students can turn their ideas into codes using any programming language of their choice. It is also will be where students can learn how to make websites, apps, games and even programming microcontrollers to receive input and set an output. Anything that requires the use of coding and programming will be done at the creative lab.
Tools:
- Laptops & tablets
- Microbits
- Programmable Boards - Arduino
- Lego Robots
3. Digital Fabrication Studio
The digital fabrication studio is a component of the digital maker programme providing fabrication services to allow students to integrate digital modeling into fabricated physical objects. NCB will make available its 2 existing 3D printing centers to help students make their designs come to life and turns passive users into active creators. 3D printing is now becoming important as it gives a whole different power in the field of creating.
Tools:
- 3D-Printer
- Mini laser cutter
4. Testing Space
The testing space is a component of the digital maker programme for students to test ideas, prototypes or projects with minimal obstructions. Students need an open space which allows them to test the full functional and operational features of their designs. Students can also readily make any adjustments to their projects in this space.
Tools:
- Basic hand tools
- Prototyping materials
5. Electronics Corner
The electronics corner is a component of the digital maker programme designated to electronic building activities. Students use this space to solder their circuits and test their circuitry with testing equipment like multi-meters. This area should be equipped with basic electronic tools, soldering equipment and general components for students to utilise. Please note that this corner should have ventilation for fumes from soldering activities.
Tools:
- Soldering Iron, Soldering tips, Solder pump & solder flux
- Wire stripper, Wire cutter
- Multimeter, Power supply
- Breadboard, Donut board, Strip Board
- Electronic Components & Microcontrollers
6. Discussion Corner
The discussion corner is a component of the digital maker programme where students can meet and have meaningful brainstorming sessions and quality discussions among themselves. Students can also conduct their research on their ideas. The need for a collaborative environment stimulates innovative ideas; improve student’s argumentative skills and managing differing opinions in a discussion.
Tools:
- Meet up sitting space
Digital Maker Learning content
ARDUINO
Arduino is an open-source platform used for building electronics projects. Arduino consists of both a physical and programmable circuit board and a piece of software that runs on the computer, used to write and upload computer code to the physical board.
Micro: bits
BBC micro:bit is a pocket-sized computer that introduces you to how software and hardware work together. It has an LED light display, buttons, sensors and many input/output features that, when programmed; let it interact with you and your world.
3D PRINTING
3D printing is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file. The creation of a 3D printed object is achieved using additive processes. In an additive process an object is created by laying down successive layers of material until the entire object is created. Each of these layers can be seen as a thinly sliced horizontal cross-section of the eventual object.
DIGITAL MAKER HUB NETWORK
Tools:
- BambousYouth Center - Royal Road, La Ferme, Bambous
- Barkly Youth Center - Cite Barkly, Beau Bassin
- Bois Cheri Youth Center - Bois Cheri
- Brisee Verdiere Youth Center - Pascal Road, Brisee Verdiere
- Chemin Grenier Youth Center - Camp Lila Road, Chemin Grenier
- Flacq Youth Center - F. Mitterrand St, Flacq
- Floreal Youth Center - Mangalkhan, Floreal
- Florida Youth Center - Cite Florida, Tombeau Bay
- Goodlands Youth Center - Nr S. Jugdambi SSS, Goodlands
- Helvetia Youth Center - Helvetia, St Pierre
- Kennedy Youth Center - Ave de L'Union, Residence Kennedy, Q.Bornes
- Mahebourg Youth Center - Colony St, Mahebourg
- Mont Roches Youth Center - Raymond Rivet St, Mont Roches
- Montagne Blanche Youth Center - Beedassy Lane, Montagne Blanche
- Pamplemousses Youth Center - Royal Road, Pamplemousses
- Plaine Verte Youth Center - Corner Maharatta & Goa Street, Plaine Verte
- Riviere du Rempart Youth Center - Royal Road, Riviere du Rempart
- Roche Bois Youth Center - 3, Allee Tamarin, Roche Bois
- Rose Belle Youth Center - Opp. Market Fair, Royal Road, Rose Belle
- Souillac Youth Center - Autard Stelfair, Souillac
- Tamarin Youth Center - Morc. Carlos Rd, Tamarin
- Tranquebar Youth Center - Bathfield St, Cite Madelaine, Tranquebar Port Louis
- Trefles Youth Center - Jeenah St, Trefles, Rose Hill
- Triolet Youth Center - Royal Road, 9th Mile, Triolet
DIGITAL MAKER HUB NETWORK
NCB will organise a national digital maker competition in Mauritius in 2022. There are many open competitions available internationally to name Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and others for our young individuals to explore and further improve their digital making skills they have developed. Competitions available range from building physical solutions, video editing to making their very own DIY projects.