Putting Science and Technology in learners’ hands
May 7, 2008 by admin
As part of National Science Week (10 – 17 May 2008) Fischertechnik and Rossum Academy will be hosting educator workshops at the MTN Sciencentre.
These workshops will explore exciting ways in which to bring the concepts in the national school curriculum to life and to light using educational building and robotics kits. We will be sharing some of the demonstrations and experiments that teachers and their students can do that will truly bring a new dimension to the classroom.
In line with this year’s theme for National Science Week, we want educators to come and see how to put Science and Technology really in the youth’s hands in the classroom.
Examples of concepts we will explore
• Mechanics – gearing, levers, pulleys, mechanical advantage
• Pneumatics and Hydraulics – pumps, pistons, pressure and volume
• Renewable energy – solar, wind and hydro-electric generation
• Electricity - generators, motors, energy storage, capacitors
• Electronics – sensors, actuators, integrated circuits, controllers
• Visual programming languages and flow charts
• Control systems and pre-engineering concepts
Who should attend?
Primary and secondary school educators and curriculum advisors in the fields of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Science, Technology, IT, Design and Computer studies.
Details of the workshops
Date: Tuesday 13 May and Thursday 15 May 2008
Time: 15:30 - 16:30
Venue: MTN Sciencentre classroom, Canal Walk
For more info or to reserve your seat contact us on info@rossum.co.za or phone Neels on 082 334 3250.
We encourage all educators to attend one of these workshops.
Robots at the operating table the way to go
May 4, 2008 by admin
A recent New York Times article indicated the growign role that robots are playing in the medical field - increasingly for sensitive surgical procedures.
From cardiac procedures to cosmetic surgery to orthopedic operations, robots are already a $1 billion segement of the medical device industry.
According to the article: “Many urologists performing prostate surgery view the precise, tremor-free movements of a robot as the best way to spare nerves crucial to bladder control and sexual potency. A robot’s ability to deftly handle small tools may lead to a less invasive procedure and faster recovery for a patient. Robots also can protect surgeons from physical stress and exposure to X-rays that may force them into premature retirement.”
As robots revolutionized the manufacturing industry in the 1980’s, experts are now predicting that robots would eventually operate as precisely as the world’s greatest surgeons, but doing so far more tirelessly and in remote locations thanks to control via satelite links.
Read the full article for more information
