Discovering mechatronics with children

Abstract

Universities of Children are a new form of developing the interests of children by regular meetings at universities and other institutions of culture (e.g. at the Pedagogical University of Cracow or in Wadowice Culture Center). During this meetings, 5–11 years old children have the opportunity (sometime the first one) to get in contact with technology, science and humanities. Their live interest is a good reason for organizing such university meetings, which can be seen as an experience opposite to the virtual education in cyberspace – learning without direct contact with physical reality. Themes and methodology of the classes are matched to the age of young students. In the present work the technical classes, called “Discovering mechatronics with children” are presented. It allowed children for a contact with modern, programmable mechanical devices. The participants of the experiments had an opportunity to observe operation of various robots and computerized numerical controlled machine tools. The classes was lead by scientists and technicians, who guided participants how to operate and control the devices, and presented the theoretical basis of machine’s operation.