Sky's the limit for Fab Kids in “Aladdin's Cave”

Participants in the Meraka Institute's Fab Kids project are delighted at the possibilities offered to learners and educators to acquire skills and practise ingenuity. (The Meraka Institute is managed by the CSIR.) Following its launch on 16 October 2006, Fab Kids has seen two more groups of learners experiencing the wonder of the Fab Lab.

On 24 October 2006 Grade 9 learners from Pecanwood College twinned with Re-E-Lwele Primary School learners to form three smaller groups of four learners each. Both schools are in the vicinity of Hartebeespoort Dam. Each group was tasked to design and manufacture a desk tidy for stationery such as pencils, pens, pairs of scissors and other essentials.

The brief requires learners to brainstorm a concept on paper before taking it to the computer. First-round designs are cut out by the laser cutter as prototypes on cardboard for verification and testing before being refined and cut in perspex for assembly.

For most of these enthusiastic young people, it was a first visit and a memorable one at that. A palpable buzz filled the room as each member of the team took on and completed distinct but complementary tasks.

George Khesma and Amos Motsatsi were delighted to have the opportunity to learn about technology and use all the equipment. Margaret Pietersen felt she had learnt a lot, and was planning a second visit, “We can't wait to go back and tell the other children about the Fab Lab.” Tiffany Johnston was impressed at the size and variety of equipment.

Pecanwood College educator Nina Hollick, who is head of Technology and IT studies, was equally thrilled. “It's like being in Aladdin's cave,” she commented. “Fab Lab is equipped with so much – it has been wonderful to touch, feel and use everything.”

Hollick appreciates the freedom in the Fab Lab to use tools and equipment. She is particularly keen to return with other learners from Grades 7, 8 and 9 on a monthly basis.

A group of older, Grade 10 learners from St Alban's College took on the more complex task of creating an eye-catching business card holder. The team comprising Lukas van Vuuren (media specialist), Craig Bristow (electronic engineer) and twins Richard and Mark Derbyshire (designers) came up with three options to accommodate the requirements of only two LED lights and an easily accessible business card. “We learnt from 'cheap mistakes'”, quipped Lukas. “ Our cardboard model made ongoing improvements possible.” Lukas was very impressed at the Fab Lab and would “love to work here”. His passion is avionics.

A second group, Motheo Ramphele, Rorisang Makhema, Kgothatso Matome and Jason Hutchison, did several modifications on paper before going to prototype. “Correcting mistakes now and improving our design have been useful steps,” said Rori. As an aside, he noted, “I love the models at the entrance to the Fab Lab.”

These perspex models, created using OpenOffice Draw, were a source of inspiration to new Fab Kids and a testimony to the creativity of all who spend time in this environment.

CEO of the Innovation Hub, Dr Neville Comins, who had come by to watch the activities, noted the hive of activity with appreciation. “It's so important for children to learn to make objects,” he emphasised. “As a life skill, it's essential for everyone to be able to learn from mistakes and to find ways of coping with challenges.”

George Khesma and Amos Motsatsi watching the laser cutter at the Fab Lab

(From left) One step closer to the final product: a group comprising Tiffany Johnston, Sarah Khobane, Megan Coutts with Margaret Pietersen in the middle display a cardboard model of an attractive desk tidy