Elenco Electronics, creator of the Snap Circuits brand, has partnered with Deloitte and Wichita State University to sponsor The Smart Factory in Wichita and promote STEM education.
The Smart Factory, an Industry 4.0 immersive experience center, explores innovative capabilities with a fully operational production line and experiential labs. The factory uses technologies and robotics to increase productivity, efficiency, and quality in manufacturing and business processes. New innovations accelerate companies towards sustainability and merging current technologies.
“This collaboration represents an exciting opportunity to celebrate our company’s 50th anniversary and the 20th anniversary of Snap Circuits, honoring our continued commitment to the evolution and growth of STEM learning and discovery,” says Jim Cecchin, president of Elenco Electronics.
As a sponsor for the Smart Factory, Elenco collaborated with Deloitte to produce the Smart Rover STEM circuit kit. This kit is a customized, Bluetooth-controlled version of Elenco’s Snap Circuits Snap Rover educational building kits. The Smart Rover also contains a new component: the Smart Module. This module contains a Raspberry Pi microcomputer and camera that kids can use to learn about computer programming and eventually enable the Rover to self-drive and see through the camera. These STEM kits will be donated to schools to promote STEM education and accessibility.
“Elenco has long been a leader in STEM education, and we are proud to work with them to help foster the next generation of STEM talent,” says Stephen Laaper, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP. “The Smart Rover will provide students with hands-on learning to help them develop skills in programming, problem-solving, and innovative thinking that will be critical to accelerating the future of manufacturing. This educational experience enabled by the Smart Rover will introduce many students to potential career options in technology and manufacturing they may not have previously considered.”
Click here for more information about the Smart Factory.
