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LOCALFriday 8 January 2016
Tedxaruba and Sir Edward Cheung to Run LED Sneaker Project
(TEDxAruba Admin) younger students to these into the sneakers and glu-
ORANJESTAD - In 2016, new concepts than com- ing the LED light strips onto
TEDxAruba Foundation bining it with something the sneaker, and a final
and Sir Edward Cheung cool they can wear and session where students are
will be collaborating on a display. taught how to program the
cool wearable technology The project is set to begin chip sets that power the
project for a select group in February and an initially LED light – making the light-
of younger students. The estimated 15-20 students up as they walk, moving in
project entails wiring elec- will be able to participate. different patterns, etc.
tronics – and gluing strips of TEDxAruba speaker Sir Ed- For the real nerds out there
LED lights onto sneakers (or ward Cheung – Chief Engi- who are interested in learn-
shoes) in order to ‘pimp’ neer at NASA and a wear- ing more about what we
the shoes with program- able technology enthusiast will building, visit the follow-
mable LED lights. It’s like himself – will be guiding this ing website for more de-
those light-up shoes that project along with two of tails: https://learn.adafruit.
you had when you were
a kid — the ones that blink
and flash, activated by the
pressure of your tread —
but 200 percent cooler.
The central goal of the
project is to teach kids new
skills such as; computer
programming and build-
ing with electronics. What
better way to introduce
TEDxAruba Foundation’s com/firewalker-led-sneak-
own staff-member engi- ers We are very excited
neers Dagmara Avanin- to work on this project for
dra (Electrical Engineering kids. It will undoubtedly be
background) and Marlon a learning opportunity for
Kock (Computer Science everyone involved. It is the
background and Lead first project of TEDxAruba
Web Developer at TEDxA- Foundation, where TEDxA-
ruba). It’s a small-sized pilot ruba speakers will directly
project, which is bound to contribute in teaching new
be repeated when suc- skills to a group of Aruban
cessful, allowing more stu- younger students, argu-
dents to participate. These ably the next generation of
students will be randomly TEDxAruba speakers.
selected from various For more information,
schools and must be be- please contact Marlon
tween ages 9 and 17. Kock through the contact
The project will consist of form on this website.
three Saturday sessions; We will provide more up-
one introduction session, dates about the project as
another session focusing they become available.
on wiring the electronics Stay tuned!q
