STEM experts from Texas A&M University at
Qatar are working with Qatar Science and Technology Secondary school for Boys
to build a wireless communication system to encourage science and engineering
exploration and innovation in young high school students. This program comes as
part of the school`s vision to introduce academic programs in collaboration
with distinguished universities in the country and abroad.
Assistant Undersecretary for Educational
Affairs Mrs. Fawziya Alkhater said" The ministry works to offer the
students of Qatar Science and Technology School the best educational STEM
opportunities. It is part of the school`s vision to invite distinguished
universities to the school to offer training programs. These opportunities are
considered a supporting part of the
school`s interdisciplinary curriculum that is tailored specifically to
the ministry of education in Qatar.
The open-source project, TalkiePi, is a
single-button, push-to-talk, Wi-Fi walkie-talkie that allows users to talk with
their friends easily over WiFi. Since September, STEM (science, technology,
engineering and math) experts from Texas A&M at Qatar’s Office of
Development, Engagement and Outreach have been guiding students through the
process of designing, building and testing their own TalkiePis to learn
mechanical, electrical, programming and prototyping skills.
Teaching basic “making” skills have become a
priority in STEM education, said Texas A&M at Qatar’s Dr. Mohamed Gharib. These
skills, when taught early, can encourage future exploration into hands-on
making, presenting students various opportunities to integrate multiple science
and engineering foundation skills into their experience.
“STEM education in Qatar is rapidly developing,”
Gharib said, “and the opening of this new STEM school—which has already attracted
talented students—is considered a crowning achievement for this development.
We’re pleased to be contributing to helping these students advance their
educations and build human capacity in Qatar.”
The collaboration began with an introduction to
3D modeling using 3D computer-assisted design software. Students were
introduced to the basics of 3D design by creating their own case to hold the
components of the TalkiePi. After the design process, the students learned the basics
of 3D printing using Dremel 3D printers. The students created and printed test
objects, which allowed the students to practice their new skills before
tackling the TalkiePi case, battery pack and personalization.
The TalkiePi project will continue in the
spring of 2019 with an introduction to electronics hardware. The students will
learn basic circuitry diagramming and prototyping using power supplies,
resistors, LEDs and various other components using a solderless breadboard,
which is used to build and test circuits. After completing their circuit
prototypes, the students will be taught how to solder electronic components
into a working circuit. During this portion, the students will be introduced to
the Raspberry Pi microcomputer. They will then learn the microcomputer’s hardware
components and the Linux open-source operating system. These skill sets offer a
solid base on which future advanced building projects can be developed.
The program has
60 students in two-hour sessions over 16 weeks, totaling 32 hours of
instruction per student and taught by Gharib and Benjamin Cieslinski.