Bright Sparks News

The Bright Sparks website and online forum have proven to be a great place for students who can't get enough of technology.

The online forum has been very successful, safely allowing students to communicate among themselves and interact with mentors and older Bright Sparks members, many of whom are tertiary students or already employed in the industry. Bright Sparks has been running for over a decade and with the introduction of the online forum, students are more involved than ever with technology and learning. Teachers are increasingly finding that the website can offer benefits that support their own classroom programmes.

Dave Smith is an experienced technology teacher at Te Awamutu College and has a strong background in electronics. He is also a strong advocate for using the online forum.

“Bright Sparks has given my students that extra shot of passion for electronics beyond what they can get from class-time alone. Two-thirds of my Level 1 class have signed up to Bright Sparks.  To see them show off to their friends all the "free stuff" they got sent to their homes is a great catalyst for engagement.”

Dave (on the right) with a couple of his students

2011 brought a completely new website to Bright Sparks, designed to bring together ideas for projects as well as videos of what students have made. The new website was designed to be much more useful for teachers by making files and resources available along with well-made tutorial videos. The new forum is now visible to all and everyone can take part.

With more schools and teachers now actively participating online, we have decided that this is the time to take a step forward. Dedicated school sub-forums are being set up on the Bright Sparks website. For the past 12 months Dave’s students have used their own Te Awamutu space on the Bright Sparks website to interact with him and each other on a new level.   

“Through Bright Sparks, my electronics students own their learning to the point where it has become their hobby; what better advertising for the industry!”

Click on ‘View Forums’ on this website and have a look around. You can request your own school space by emailing us and we can set up a dedicated forum with your school name. If a few of your keen students join up and start chatting to each other then you’ll be surprised at the buzz that’s generated. Students can also access free parts and earn forum points that give them discounts on kits and components. You can view each discussion and all posts are cleared by experienced moderators.

For more information please contact Ross Petersen on 09 583 1317 or email rossp@etito.co.nz.