What is the Innovation Center?

It is a space for ideas and creativity. With volunteers and partners commited to improving the learning process, we have developed innovative and sustainable projects to increase the quality of education in an effort to transform communities.

How was it created?

In order to support the incredible potential of Nicaragua and Central America, the Extremeña Agency of International Cooperation for Development (AEXCID) through the Foundation for Development of Science and Technology (FUNDECYT-PCTEX) providded funding and supported the creation of the Experimentation and Free Software Development Center in 2015.

Our Philosophy

We believe the transformation of the educational community depends on the development of educators. This is why our projects focus on strengthening human talent through simple and low cost solutions to complex situations.

“Innovative Learning”

As our world evolves, we must adapt through the use of innovative learning methodologies.

Projects.

Humanizing Robotics

Given the significant contribution of robotics to education and human development, we work to “humanize robotics” as robotics serves to strengthen 21st Century skills in children, teachers and families.

* Robots are built using free hardware, which allows the incorporation of recycled parts.

* Teachers use the XO Laptop to teach robotics, math, physics, natural sciences and community projects.

We utilize the methodologies and functions of four types of robotics platforms: Arduino, Icaro, PicoBoard and PiBot:

• An electronic and open source platform, Arduino is easy to understand and use. We use it to teach electronics and to demonstrate the functions of all of the components in the breadboard.
• Is a free hardware platform that can be programmed using the XO Laptop and TurtleArt activity.
• With light and sound sensors, this robotic board can be programmed using the Scratch activity. It is used by children in participating schools to play music and other programming activities contained in the XO Laptop.
• Is a Rasberry Pi robotics kit with ultrasonic sensors. It can be controlled using Wi-Fi.

OLPC and the Foundation Zamora Teran, participated in a photo exhibit hosted by the United Nations as part of the 55th Commission on Social Development. The exhibition was held at the UN headquarters in NYC during February of 2017. The exhibit focused on efforts around the world to implement strategies for eradicating poverty to achieve sustainable development for all. OLPC and FZT were featured due to their work to eradicate poverty through education. Please click here to see the photos:

http://unsdn.org/2017/01/30/csocd55-photo-exhibition-showcases-poverty-eradication/

In 1992, Father Jorge Villalobos Ortega, a Mexican priest, arrived in the city of Medellin, Antioquia, and beyond the beauty of his mountains he could see the belts of misery that surrounded the Valley of Aburrá.

He asked a group of young people to whom he lectured on human value: Why are we indifferent to the situation of poverty and violence in Medellin?

In response, the group began to visit the surrounding community in order to experience its reality. The group visited with the families of the Moravia neighborhood, the Morro sector, the old dump of Medellín, in order to better understand the community’s needs. Local residents had an opportunity to share their dreams and ideals with the group.

In 1993, the group opened an educational room and 33 children came to receive an education. It became clear to Father Villalobos and his group that the community needed education and training in order to become the creators of a better future.

A People United and Youth for Peace Foundation

These experiences led to the creation of a People United and Youth For Peace Foundation, a non-governmental organization dedicated to providing education, training and protection to vulnerable children and young people, in order to meet their educational and training needs. The Foundation provides resources, continuous training and social responsibility exercises in order to improve the quality of life in the community.

The Foundation provides  protection and education to the most vulnerable population of Medellín and its metropolitan area. Currently, there are five  Educational Centers located in the most vulnerable areas of the city, including the Moravia, Santo Domingo (La Esperanza), Manrique (La Honda), Belén (Villa Café) and Robledo (Pajarito) neighborhoods. The Foundation feeds more than 3,200 children, young people and adults. It provides educational opportunities from Early Childhood, Pre-school, Basic Primary, Basic Secondary to Adult Education. It houses  170 children and young people in the Bohio de María Home who have suffered domestic violence, abuse or neglect. These children and young adults receive counseling, education and training and range from 3 months of age to university graduates.

At present, 1399 XO Laptops are being used in the educational centers. The educational component is supported by the Marina Orth Foundation.

http://www.genteunida.org.co/