Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google


Distribution Deal Will Expand Reach for Learning with Climate Action Kit

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 02/24/21

A Canadian company that has created a kit to help students do climate projects" has found a distributor that will make it available in other countries too. InkSmith has signed a global distribution agreement to sell its Climate Action Kit with Farnell, which distributes electronic components.

The $45 kit comes with motors, sensors and accessories as well as a teacher's guide and curriculum for five project-based lessons, including:

  • Deforestation, in which students build an automated driving seeder to plant trees;

  • Advanced agriculture, including indoor farming and hydroponics, in which students build an automated watering system; and

  • Plants and pollinators, covering the pollination process of bees, in which students built a tracking device to monitor bee activities in their own gardens.

The lessons have been adapted to be compatible with in-class teaching as well as remote and hybrid learning environments.

Distribution Deal Will Expand Reach for Learning with Climate Action Kit

What isn't included but is also needed is a micro:bit, a pocket-sized sub-$20 computer developed by the Micro:bit Educational Foundation. Those are sold by a number of companies in the United States, including PiShop.us and Parallax.

"The Climate Action Kit is the ultimate tool for modern educators wanting to stimulate inquiry-based learning and inspire students to solve real world problems using technology," said Lee Turner, Farnell global head of semiconductors and SBC, in a press release. "Technology is our greatest asset to ensure our young leaders of tomorrow have the skills and capability to overcome major global issues such as poverty, climate change and societal justice."

"It's important to us that while we empower the next generation of makers, coders, and problem solvers that we do so in as equitably as possible--regardless of economic, socioeconomic and now geographic limitations," added Jeremy Hedges, CEO and founder of InkSmith.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Abstract background with digital shield made of data particles glowing blue blocking against cyber attacks

    AI Attacks Push Organizations Toward Autonomous Cybersecurity Defense

    Artificial intelligence is raising the stakes of cyber conflict as attackers use the technology to accelerate reconnaissance, uncover vulnerabilities, and launch attacks faster than many security teams can respond, according to a new report from agentic AI security company Kai.

  • Digital document and folder warning alert with error

    When Cyber Attacks Disrupt Learning, Recovery Matters More than Ever

    As schools become more dependent on digital platforms for instruction, grading, student services, and family communication, resilience depends not only on preventing attacks, but on how quickly leaders can restore trusted data, recover essential services, and keep disruptions from cascading across the school community.

  • A digital shield composed of glowing particles

    Microsoft Combines Sentinel and Defender Capabilities for Agentic Security Operations

    Microsoft is combining its security information and event management and threat protection products within Microsoft Defender, creating what the company calls an Integrated Security Operations Center built for an era of AI-driven attacks.

  • A glowing digital brain with neural connections and light trails

    AI Giants: It May Be Time to Slow Down

    Leaders in the artificial intelligence industry have warned for years that increasingly capable AI systems could eventually become dangerous, all the while continuing to race to build them. Now, their sentiments have changed.