Mayor Chu inaugurates Nation’s First Public High School “Cloud Maker Classroom”
Mayor Chu inaugurates Nation’s First Public High School “Cloud Maker Classroom”
What is “Maker Education?” Mayor Eric Chu said that, in simple terms, it is to realize innovation — or make things — through technology. When the new Cloud Maker Classroom was unveiled today, the mayor encouraged everyone to join in the maker spirit and take on innovative projects.
Education Department reports that New Taipei City is unveiling the “Maker Education” project, which emphasizes practical implementation and encourages students to put scientific knowledge into real-world practice and develop independent thinking and problem solving skills.
After the ceremony, Mayor Eric Chu said that Cloud Maker Classroom is a brand new concept that helps to realize innovative projects through technology. The mayor also said that Banqiao High’s Technological Innovation Development Center is the Nation’s first Public High School Cloud Maker Classroom. The mayor believes that this center well on its way to success, and the city is looking forward to add maker classrooms to Zhonghe High, Jingshan High, Xinbei Vocational High, Yingge Vocational and other schools. The mayor trusts that this new generation of students will have a competitive edge in applying thoughts and realizing innovation, and the Cloud Maker Classroom will enable such growth. The Mayor also thanked the Executive Yuan officials for their support.
Executive Yuan’s Minister without Portfolio, Ms. Yu-ling Tsai, said that the Executive Yuan is promoting 3D printing education through the vMaker project. This project is expected to have 6 “Fab Truck” visit 497 schools by the end of the year. She said that Banqiao High’s Maker Education is in good shape, and that students are invited to also participate in the maker competition, where the reward for first place is valued at NT$1 million. For more information, please visit http://vmaker.tw.
After the unveiling of the Technological Innovation Development Center, Mayor Chu presented certificates of recognition to the staff and consultants who helped realize this center. The mayor then joined Banqiao High students in creative woodworking and 3D scanning. The students were able to create, using a laser, a logo bearing the scanned portrait of the mayor.
The educator leading the students in the creative woodworking workshop was Mr. Gever Tulley, who is the founder of the “Tinkering School” in San Francisco. Mr. Tulley said that we need to trust the children, encourage them, and focus on their individual interests and uniqueness. Mr. Tulley also emphasize the importance of teaching children to work together and developing good habits. Mayor Chu thanked Mr. Tulley for crossing oceans to share maker education with the children of Taiwan.
The Education Department reports that to promote Maker Education, Banqiao High School renovated existing space and installed practical technology to build the first public high school make center. The center has a digital design classroom and a self-guided implementation lab. The development center will focus on the projects in the theme of cultural creativity, tabletop games, tools for daily lives, and innovative robotics.
For more information: Education Department, Education Research and Development Section; Liu, Jinshan; Phone: (02)8072-3456 ext. 300, 500