Kids build and program their own electronic Christmas trees

AUGUST 20, 2015

Kids build and program their own electronic Christmas trees

Project X is a hands-on electronics and computer programming activity for children at intermediate schools. It addresses New Zealand’s need to get more young people interested in becoming creators, rather than just users, of digital technologies.

This is the second year it’s been offered to two schools in Wellington. A successful event has already been held at Titahi Bay Intermediate, and Maidstone Intermediate School will be doing the programme on Thursday 20 August.

“Project X allows the students to experience something different and see what skills they could use for careers in the future,” says Titahi Bay Intermediate teacher Amy Cole. “The mentors were wonderful and the kids thoroughly enjoyed the day; they were running back to class after each break!”

Students create their own electronic Christmas tree by soldering components onto a pre-cut board, and program it with a light sequence and music. They learn about electrical circuits and components, and develop basic soldering and computer programming skills.
There is no cost to participating schools, and they are provided with all the equipment they need – soldering irons, laptops and 25 kits including pre-cut circuit boards and electronic components – as well as an electrical, electronic or software engineer as a helper for every four students.

Each student takes away their own tree, which they can show to their friends and family, and they can continue programming new light sequences and jingles at home.

Project X was developed in Christchurch as a partnership between the IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) and Futureintech, a government-funded organisation that works in schools to promote careers in technology, engineering and science. It’s strongly supported by the New Zealand electronics industry, with sponsors including Airways Corporation, Proto Electronics, Tait Communications and ABB Ltd.

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