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NI Mentor Program

Digital literacy
Citizens
City Government
Technology
Number:SCP/2015/001

Purpose / Description

The purpose of the NI Mentor program is to introduce the students, from an early age, to smart and programmable tools which can improve digital literacy through game-like methods, and to make them appreciate the natural sciences, and introduce them to the basics of engineering thinking, so later they can choose scientific and engineering careers. We already face challenges need to be solved that would, according to estimations, need 26% more engineers and natural scientists in 2020.

Process / Execution

We support the schools who join the program with the knowledge of the NI experts, and with the innovative and strictly educational LEGO Mindstorms robots and other NI products.
We organize conferences for the teachers and mentors who joined the program, and LabVIEW and LEGO robot programming contests and summer camps for the students.

Requirements

  • LEGO® MINDSTORMS® robots, LabVIEW software, myDAQ hardware
  • Enthusiastic teachers and mentors
  • The afternoon study groups can start with 1-1 set but for the curricular education at least 6 sets per educational institution are recommended

Partners involved

  • NI Hungary Kft. as program coordinator. H-Didakt Kft. (official distributor of the LEGO Mindstorms robots in Hungary) as cooperation partner.
  • Enthusiastic teachers and mentors to ensure the success of the program.
  • The German Hands on Technology e.V. organization and the World Robot Olympiad Association Ltd. for organizing international competitions.

Results

  • In Debrecen 22 institutions with 500 students joined the program. According to a survey in 2014, 59% of the students want further education in the areas of natural sciences, engineering, and information technology.
  • In March of 2016, Debrecen was the home of the Central-European finals of the FIRST LEGO League. Thousands of visitors of the Science No Fiction science festival were introduced to innovative engineering and ICT solutions.
  • In the 2015/16 school year, we reached out to more than 3000 students with this program through the 22 institutions in Debrecen.

Summary

The project adheres to Debrecen’s Smart City strategy. It is essential to educate and prepare a younger generation, who are also interested in science and technology, for the challenges of the 21st century to improve the knowledge-based economy of Debrecen.