With the purpose of training the new generations of Medellin to face the challenges of the 21st century, the District of Medellin, Ruta N and the Center for Science and Technology of Antioquia (CTA) launched the GenerationTech program, aimed at about 860 children and young people between 9 and 15 years of age and 60 teachers from educational institutions in the District.
The program aims to enhance critical thinking, creativity, problem solving and entrepreneurship in more than students and teachers, who participate in the creation of technological solutions to everyday problems in their neighborhoods and the city.
For this, GenerationTech uses the challenge-based learning methodology, with gamified experiences and a learning path focused on the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) approach.
“This is an innovative program that will not only transform the thinking of young people in the face of problem solving, but will also connect them in a direct and creative way with the challenges of the city,” said Carolina Londoño, director of Ruta N.
In total there are 14 challenges, among which are: real-time transportation, mobility in commercial areas, natural disaster alerts, environmental noise measurement, clean air for students, circular economy with clothes, English for elementary school students and sexual health education.
“We want people to know how to deal with a natural disaster so that when it happens in our neighborhood, people are not injured or killed. We're going to do that through an app like DuoLingo that teaches people how to deal with floods or if a tree falls. In addition, it will have an alarm that alerts us when a disaster occurs,” explained Samuel Niño, a student at I.E Alcaldía de Medellín.
The program benefits students and teachers from the 16 urban districts of Medellín, forming two groups per district, with 27 training sessions for students and 12 training sessions for teachers, who will be key players in bringing the knowledge to the classrooms and multiplying the impact of the program.
“The program invites the city, from the educational sphere, to identify and address these challenges through learning methodologies based on challenges and projects, which generates a real impact on the development of skills,” highlighted Santiago Echavarría Escobar, director of the Science and Technology Center of Antioquia.
The program includes an evaluation and monitoring plan that will guarantee its effectiveness and real impact on student learning. In addition, there will be a final event to socialize the projects, thus GeneraciónTech is positioned as a strategic bet to create a more competitive and sustainable society.