Internet of Things (IoT) Leads to Explosive Growth of Engineering Courses for Kids
Boulder, Colorado. (PRWEB) April 21, 2016 -- Riding the popularity of the Internet of Things (IoT), iD Tech, the leading summer educational STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) program, sees a 46% increase in enrollment in its electrical engineering courses for kids and teens and expands relationship with SparkFun Electronics to provide engaging electronics kits and materials.
Internet of Things (IoT) is a term that is becoming increasingly well known as more items collect and transmit data over the Internet. For example the wearable devices market grew 223% in 2015, according to best-selling author, Bernard Marr. There were 3.6 million Apple watches sold and 4.4 million Fitbits shipped. With this fast growing industry, an estimated $10-$15 trillion dollars will be added to the GDP over the next 2 decades. This equates to many opportunities.
This Internet of Things trend is reflected in the increased enrollment of the five iD Tech electrical engineering courses. iD Tech students learn how to design electrical engineering products using Arduino, an open-source circuit board provided by SparkFun. The Arduino is a programmable circuit board that takes input from sensors and controls motors, lights, and other devices.
“Through our summer STEM programs, we ignite a child’s future, inspiring the next generation of technology visionaries,” said Pete Ingram-Cauchi, CEO, iD Tech, “We are pleased to partner with SparkFun, combining their innovative engineering products with our engaging curriculum.”
“As the demand for STEM professionals increases, STEM education is a critical component in preparing young people for entry into an evolving workforce,” said Nathan Seidle, founder and CEO of SparkFun. “Working with iD Tech, electronics can get kids excited about the endless possibilities of electrical engineering, which is so important in today’s technologically focused world.”
In addition to electrical engineering courses, iD Tech students ages 6-18 learn programming, build robots, design video games, and create hands-on tech projects. These summer programs provide a fun learning environment where students express their creativity through technology. They see firsthand how an interest can turn into a college degree and compelling career. This experience inspires them to keep learning, giving them a competitive advantage for school, college, and life. Programs are held at over 150 prestigious campuses nationwide, including Stanford, Harvard, Caltech, and other locations.
Who knows, perhaps a future IoT breakthrough will come from an iD Tech student.
To learn more about ID Tech visit iDTech.com.
To learn more about SparkFun Education visit http://learn.sparkfun.com/about.
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ABOUT SPARKFUN ELECTRONICS (http://learn.sparkfun.com/about)
SparkFun Electronics understands that connecting learners with the spirit of innovation will lead to a generation of thinkers. Innovators who can shape the world with powerful ideas and solutions and solve real-world problems with technology. Electronics is more than a hobby, but a creative medium for advancing teaching and learning. SparkFun is a firm believer in the ideology of open source technology which encourages innovation and creativity, while helping empower individuals to build the projects they want.
ABOUT iD TECH (http://www.iDTech.com)
iD Tech is the leader in summer STEM education programs for students ages 6-18, with
over 235,000 students who have attended iD Tech since 1999. Students solve engineering challenges, learn programming, code apps, build robots, design video games, and more. Programs are held at over 130 prestigious campuses nationwide, including the University of Washington, Stanford, Rice, Caltech, Yale, Princeton, and many others. In addition to Alexa Café, there are 4 other iD Tech summer STEM programs held nationwide: iD Tech Camps (weeklong, all-girls, ages 7-17), iD Tech Mini (weeklong, co-ed, half-day options, ages 6-9) as well as teen academies iD Programming Academy and iD Game Design & Development Academy (2-week, pre-college, co-ed, ages 13-18).
Jahnell Pereira, SparkFun Electronics, http://sparkfun.com, +1 (303) 284-0979 Ext: 800, [email protected]
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