Organizations face a growing skills gap — as noted by the World Economic Forum, more than half of employees will require “significant reskilling” in the next three years to meet 21st century expectations.
While digital skills such as cloud computing competency and basic programming knowledge are critical in tech-driven environments, the bigger picture focuses on analytical skills — or as The Balance SMB puts it, the ability to “confront a problem, think it through, and decisively apply solutions.”
To help bridge the gap between current skill sets and the next generation of employees, K–12 schools are adopting a new approach that is ideal for technology integration: project-based learning (PBL).
Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7:30pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat – we’ll post the link there.
