A Novel Platform to Teach Wireless Communication to Children and Teenagers
M.A. Chavez Tapia (TU Delft - Networked Systems)
Daniel Tomás Menacho Ordoñez (Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú)
Kiara Micaela Rodriguez Bautista (Universidad Nacional de Ingenieria, Lima)
M. Xu (TU Delft - Networked Systems)
Davorka Medvedović (Elementary School Rovišće)
Marco Zúñiga Zuñiga Zamalloa (TU Delft - Networked Systems)
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Abstract
Every day, we are surrounded by billions of invisible bits transmitted by our phones, tablets, and laptops. Wireless communication is pervasive but hard to teach because radio waves (5G, WiFi, BLE) cannot be seen, and a sensory experience is key to learning. From a physics perspective, radio and light waves are similar, but our eyes only see light. Thus, we design a platform to teach the complex concept of wireless communication using light. With our platform, children can "see" how a device transmits information using a normal flashlight. Our design includes connections with robots, superheroes, and games to make a joyful learning experience. The platform was used by hundreds of school students at an international science fair. After a guided activity, 80% of the students reported understanding the basic idea of wireless communication and some students even identified advanced concepts, such as interference, playing on their own.