Macnica Executive Officer, a total service and solution provider in semiconductor, network, cyber security, and AI/IoT (headquartered in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan; : ; hereinafter ), has announced that , an after-school and science education facility operated by Ricoh Co. President Kazumasa Hara Macnica RICOH COMPANY,LTD.^＊1 held a robot programming workshop for STEAM education on December 11, 2021, starting with the assembly of a robot plastic model at the

In recent years, there has been an increase in the attention being paid to STEAM/programming education, and it has been adopted as a GOAL in the field of education in the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), and there are high expectations for high-quality education for children. However, programming education faces challenges such as a shortage of teachers and a lack of career experience.
Against this background, Macnica launched the STEAM education project "Tsumiki Project ^{* 2}," which provides children with opportunities to learn about cutting-edge technology and programming while having fun building models.

Therefore, this time, we held a robot programming workshop for STEAM education where you can experience from assembling a robot plastic model to introducing visual programming at Kosaie, an advanced after-school and science education facility operated by Ricoh. In addition to assembling a full-fledged robot plastic model, this teaching material allows you to actually move the robot using a visual programming environment from a personal computer. By playing, you can acquire problem-solving skills. In addition, it is possible to take the assembled robot set home and continue programming learning on a personal computer (browser) at home. It is a teaching material that allows you to deepen your learning even after the end of the course.

In recent years, Macnica has expanded its scope as a technical partner to cutting-edge exponential technology fields such as AI, IoT, and Bio/Science, positioning its customer base as a co-creation partner and creating a large ecosystem. , operates as a service and solution provider.
Under these circumstances, this workshop was realized through co-creation activities with Ricoh. In the future, Macnica will continue to expand its activities with co-creation partners that advance the education business and contribute to the STEAM education of children who will create the future of the earth.

[Outline of “Tsumiki Project Workshop”]
Date: December 11, 2021, 9:00-12:00, 13:00-16:00
Location: After School & Science Class Kosaie
Target: Elementary school students
Workshop program:
・Assembly of Tamiya boxing fighter robot plastic model
・Installation of Yukai Engineering Motor Control Module Kokoro Kit
・Learning and practicing visual programming
・Decoration of robot plastic model
・Presentation of original robot plastic model & programming results

[State of the day]
The workshop was filled to capacity immediately after recruitment, and the number of slots was suddenly increased to two per day, with a total of 15 participants from first to fifth grades of elementary school.

I assembled a full-fledged Tamiya robot plastic model, tightened screws, built a link mechanism, wired, wireless connection, etc., while sometimes getting advice from my parents.

During the decoration time, they were fascinated by the decorations and finished each robot with its own personality!

At the final presentation, the children were thrilled, but they presented fun works full of individuality unique to children, such as a robot that meows a cat, a robot that dances, and a robot battle between siblings.

Feedback from the families after the program included, ``As soon as they got home, they moved the robot and showed it to other families. , I received a voice that I am enjoying robot programming even after returning home.

*1: About Kosaie
Located in a good location, a 5-minute walk from Ebina Station, this facility provides a variety of learning opportunities for elementary and junior high school students, as an after-school (after-school childcare) on weekdays and as a science class on weekends. After school offers a wide range of programs and a relaxing learning space of 120 tsubo. In the science classroom, students can experience learning like no other through programming and disassembly programs for Ricoh products.
https://ricohfuturehouse.jp/coscie/

*2: About Tsumiki Project
This is a collaborative project between four companies: Gakken Plus Co., Ltd., Macnica, Tamiya Co., Ltd., and Yukai Engineering Co., Ltd. The goal is to contribute to the education of children, who will be the leaders of the future, by pooling together the know-how of each company and providing fun programming education. The project aims to create simple and easy-to-understand innovations in STEAM education.
https://www.macnica.co.jp/business/semiconductor/news/2020/135105/

*Company names and product names mentioned in this text are trademarks or registered trademarks of Macnica and each company.
*The information published in the news release (including product price, specifications, etc.) is current as of the date of announcement. Please note that the information may be subject to change without prior notice.