Futurama: coding, robotics, cybersecurity, and sustainability are the heart of Elis workshops

Regarding the Futurama project, in January, workshops launched by the ELIS Center Association targeted towards students and teachers. ELIS has activated four workshops, three of which are aimed at second-year students from the two schools involved in the Futurama project - the Sciascia and Bufalino Secondary Education Institute in Erice (TP) and the Odierna Higher Education Institute in Palma di Montechiaro (AG) - and one aimed at teachers.

Futurama is a project selected by Con i Bambini within the framework of the Fund to Combat Child Educational Poverty and co-financed by Fondazione Cassa Depositi e Prestiti.

Student Workshops

The ELIS workshops for students cover the themes of Programming and Robotics, Cybersecurity, and Sustainability. The first aims to provide knowledge of the Python language, Arduino, robotics, and home automation. The second focuses on cybersecurity, aiming to raise awareness among the younger generation about the topic from a social perspective, not just as a technical skill. The third Sustainability workshop aims to incorporate sustainable development and ecological and digital transition into student education, looking to the UN 2030 Agenda as a primary reference point. The pathway also aims to introduce young people to new professional scenarios in the circular economy and green economy.

A Creative Marathon

At the end of the third year of the project, students from the participating classes will put into practice the knowledge and skills acquired during the training courses within the Creathon: a creative marathon that will see them competing against each other. In response to a challenge set by the trainers, the young beneficiaries will generate creative and innovative ideas and solutions that take into account technological innovation, sustainable development, and cybersecurity.

Teachers Return to School Benches

Regarding the training path for teachers from the two involved schools, a transversal training is planned, which will see teachers returning to the role of learners, to transfer new teaching methodologies to them so that they can effectively support students in learning increasingly STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) related topics and in job orientation. Teacher training is part of a broader activity aimed at developing a broad educational community model involving teachers, businesses, and local authorities.

To continue following the activities of the Futurama project, you can consult the project card (here's the link), visit the project blog (here's the link), and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To participate or for further information, contact Daniela Avanzato at d.avanzato@fcagrigentotrapani.it.

The Futurama project has been selected by Con i Bambini within the framework of the Fund to Combat Child Educational Poverty and co-financed by Fondazione Cassa Depositi e Prestiti. The Fund stems from an agreement between banking foundations represented by Acri, the National Third Sector Forum, and the Government. It supports interventions aimed at removing economic, social, and cultural obstacles that prevent minors from fully enjoying educational processes. To implement the programs of the Fund, Con i Bambini was founded in June 2016, a non-profit social enterprise wholly owned by the CON IL SUD Foundation. www.conibambini.org