Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Quake inspired education programme wins global award

Christchurch Quake inspired education programme wins global award

QuakeCraft, an earthquake-inspired education programme developed in Christchurch, has been recognised with the global Chevron STEM award at the annual, international Fab Lab conference in Toulouse, France.

QuakeCraft was developed by the Fab Lab Christchurch, QuakeCoRE and the University of Canterbury’s Quake Centre with funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)’s Curious Minds programme.

“QuakeCraft was a response to the Christchurch earthquakes,” says Bridget McKendry of Fab Lab Christchurch. “We wanted to take the unique experience of the quakes and turn it into a positive learning opportunity.”

Students from more than 20 South Island schools have used digital fabrication machines like 3D printing, laser cutting and electronics to create buildings that are tested on a “shake table” that can be set to mimic the Christchurch earthquakes, the Kaikoura quakes or even simulate the full magnitude of a rupture of the Alpine Fault.

Students design and test a variety of building sizes and construction techniques. The shake table was designed in the Fab Lab and all the connection parts 3D printed in the lab.

“The whole programme can be digitally exported,” says Fab Lab founder Carl Pavletich. “Any school with access to a Fab Lab or with its own digital fabrication tools can use our files to make all the components locally.”

Oxford Area School participated in the New Zealand trial. Teacher Justin Thompson says he will make the programme a regular part of his classes because he could see the benefits for children who are academically focused as well as those who aren’t.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Quake Centre and QuakeCoRE Outreach Coordinator Brandy Alger says these research centres aim to raise awareness about seismic risk and solutions.

“By creating a fun, hands-on way to learn about community and structural resilience, QuakeCraft can change the way the youth think about natural disasters and encourage innovative solutions while still learning about maths, physics and social science,” she says.

She says the international award shows this is not just a New Zealand problem.

“Students thrive through project learning, but also they want to discuss subjects that matter and that have a societal impact. The idea that QuakeCraft might benefit other communities around the world is a great feeling,” Alger says.

The Chevron STEM education awards celebrate education programmes in Fab Labs around the world. The award was announced last week at the international meeting of the FabLab network in Toulouse, France. An international panel of judges picked QuakeCraft as the stand out of 35 entries from around the world.

There are now more than 1000 Fab Labs globally. The philosophy is about providing ordinary citizens the tools of invention so that they can experiment and learn by doing.

Fab Lab Christchurch announced this year its intention to join 28 other cities to take up the Fab City Challenge, aiming to consume everything it produces by 2045.

“QuakeCraft is a great example of the type of project that would move us forward on the path to becoming a Fab City. It’s about civic engagement and action on issues that the affect our city,” Pavletich says.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.