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Electronics Lab for Children in South Africa

A lab that teaches children STEM concepts and programming, using electronics & MCUs (Raspberry Pi/Arduino), based in South Africa.

mitchell-wong-hoMitchell Wong Ho
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For children between the ages of 6-16
who are curious about or interested in electronics but don't have the facilities, equipment, components and/or know-how of building electronic,
the Electronics Lab
is an educational not-for-profile centre
that offers children the opportunity to learn STEM concepts and programming through building electronics.
Unlike traditional computer labs and the Weekend Robotics club
our project uses electronics, micro-computers (like the Raspberry Pi) and micro-controllers (like the Arduino) to teach STEM concepts.

As a father, it's my observation that there isn't a lab/incubator/hub-like facility, that offer electronics-based STEM programs/workshops for children in Cape Town, South Africa.

I should declare that I know nothing about starting such a program, but I am encouraged by the community that I am surrounded by.

As I make progress with this project, I aim to log my experiences so it may aid other that would like to setup their own labs. I'd also like to invite you to call me out if I fail to make timely updates and progress.

  • MVP

    Mitchell Wong Ho • 07/08/2015 at 06:29 • 0 comments

    So, I got around to build a MVP (minimum viable product) prototype board made from scrap chipboard and nails. Add to that some croc-clip cable, battery, buzzer and wire and you've got yourself a Wire-Loop kit.

  • Testing the hypothesis...

    Mitchell Wong Ho • 05/26/2015 at 20:37 • 0 comments

    In true Lean startup tradition, my first step is to validate my idea: I want to test that there is a need/market for an electronics lab for children. The way I go about this is to build a launch webpage that has the details about the lab and a signup page. I send this link around my social circles and see how many signups and site visits I can get. If I can gather enough signups, the this will validate my hypothesis that there exists a market need/interest.

    On a separate channel, I've managed to get the attention of a member of the Computer Society with in the IEEE of South Africa, as well as a friend that has experience running non-profit operation. I have meets setup with both.

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radclipfs wrote 09/15/2022 at 12:14 • point

You're allowing such a great opportunity for African kids and teens! I've never seen similar projects before. In my opinion, education must be available for everyone on our planet. Unfortunately, there is so low level of it in African countries because of the bad government which makes no right moves to develop the countries. I'm sure that this laboratory became one of the best places in Africa ( I found a lot of them during traveling and you may find more info about them here https://www.victoriafalls-guide.net/best-places-in-africa-for-students.html) not only for kids but for adults. I hope you'll succeed and I'll see it with my eyes soon. Good luck!

  Are you sure? yes | no

Mitchell Wong Ho wrote 06/10/2015 at 01:36 • point

Hi John,
Apologies for the late reply.
I'm currently gathering "course" material together.  My first test is to "test" on my 6yo son and one of his friends on a play-date.

Any advice or ideas would be appreciated.

  Are you sure? yes | no

johnowhitaker wrote 07/08/2015 at 08:23 • point

Hi, this slipped past my feed somehow :P Wire loops are always fun, and that was a good one to start with. Another one that gets people really engaged is some sort of a makey-makey type touch board. They can be made cheaply (http://shrimping.it - the shrimpkey is a cheap option to build, and I made one a while ago https://hackaday.io/project/1500-kwese-musical-instrument) and are super fun, especially when you hook up exotic things as inputs (cheese, play-dough, plants, the dog :). Easy enough for a child to build is something like the drawido - a 555 timer tied to a pencil that lets you play different sounds as you draw. (https://learn.adafruit.com/drawdio is a more advanced version that runs off one AA). 

  Are you sure? yes | no

Mitchell Wong Ho wrote 07/08/2015 at 08:26 • point

Thanks, Johno.  I'll look in to those.  I like the idea of the drawido.

  Are you sure? yes | no

johnowhitaker wrote 06/05/2015 at 14:45 • point

A nice idea! I'm an EE student at UCT, I'm sure there'd be some interest in helping out at an event or two. How is the early market testing going?

  Are you sure? yes | no

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