During the week of 13th – 17th February 2023, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture from the University of Zagreb, an AeroSTREAM partner, hosted a STEM Week with the primary aim of popularizing various STEM fields among elementary school pupils. The event was a resounding success, as two researchers (lecturers) and a student of mechanical engineering conducted practical workshops in which pupils were introduced to emerging technologies such as drones, robots, and 3D printing.
The workshops were divided into smaller groups, allowing for personalized instruction and hands-on experience with various cutting-edge technologies. Pupils were taught about the working principles of drones, mobile robots, robotic manipulators, and 3D printers, using tools for 3D modeling (TinkerCAD) and block programming (SCRATCH).
Additionally, to increase the understanding and acceptance of UAVs, a lecture was held for high-school teachers on drones and robots. The potential implementation of these technologies in the existing curriculum was discussed, making the event a valuable contribution to the STEM education community. More info can be found in the report from the event here.