The Lions Young Makers project was born to give youngsters with socioeconomic difficulties, an opportunity to acquire new skills, fomenting creativity and interest for new technologies and this way inspiring them to be Makers rather than simply consumers.
The project will start at the “Escolas Hermenegildo Capelo” School in Palmela with the objective to make available to 10 youngsters, between the ages 14 and 18, and at high risk of early school abandonment, training in the areas 3d modeling, 3d printing, electronics and programming (these last 2 only in the 2nd program).
Presently there are no projects nor funding in this area, specially not for the lesser fortunate kids, not from a background that can afford personal investment in this kind of training. The Lions Clube of Palmela has therefore joined forces with the Makerspace Maquijig to provide and enrich the training for these youngsters, mainly from socioeconomically troubled backgrounds, through this project.
In 2016 we will start this project and, with the help of this crowdfunding campaign, will realize 2 programs this year (the objective is to do 2 programs a year). The first program (pilot) will contain 24 hours of personalized training by 3 expert trainers, material & equipment, a visit to the Makerspace Maquijig and a final event to show the acquired knowledge and present the achievement certificates. We need the help of all to make this project a success and hopefully replicate it to other schools and districts, so we can stimulate and train more and more youngsters.