GALIWIN’KU STUDENTS GET DIGITAL WITH IDX FLINT PROGRAM

Yolngu Elders and students in Galiwin’ku have embraced new technologies as part of the IDX Flint program.

Following a national application process, East Arnhem Regional Council was the succesful recipient of $25,000 worth of technology and support to create digital training workshops for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the local area.

In June 2017 the IDX Flint team travelled to Galiwin’ku to deliver the digital making workshops in collaboration with East Arnhem Regional Council and Go Digi.

IDX Flint founded by the IDX Initiative, a partnership between the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence and the Telstra Foundation, seeks to spark the interest, ideas, and talents of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people in making digital technology and inspire communities to explore technology, develop new skills and share stories through creative uses of digital technology.

The program brought robotics, drones, and 3D printing to the students of Shepherdson College on Elcho Island. For Patrick, Go Digi’s Community Development Officer, it was four days of fun – building, flying and programming some of the most creative new technologies in the beautiful, tropical setting of the island. The chance to free play with this innovative technology was enjoyed by the trainers as much as the students.

Photo: IDX Flint Manager Grant Cameron shares the basics to flying a Drone with students at Shepherdson College. It wasn’t just the local kids learning new things about technology. Go Digi also ran a Talk n’ Tech session at The Galiwin’ku Aged and Disability Centre. The session gave people at the centre the chance to ask any tech questions they had. Questions ranged from how to book airline tickets online, to how to set up an email account, and to how to use eBay.

Photo: From the beach to beyond – Shepherdson College students take flight over Galiwin’ku.The week ended with an open BBQ at the community youth centre, with dozens turning out for a meal, as well as for a game of basketball, a dip in the pool, and to hear some local musicians. The perfect end to a great week of building digital skills.

As part of the program IDX has provided $10 000 of educational resources and equipment so that all communities across East Arnhem Land can experience the program. Members of the community will now have access to:

• 1 Drone
• 18 Ozobots
• 8 Lego Mindstorm Ev3 Kits

The IDX team look forward to seeing what the community do with the technology in the months and years to come.

Video: Shepherdson College students having fun while learning about the many opportunities of drone use in their community