STEM Learning

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.

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.