{"id":124250,"date":"2023-10-05T16:58:22","date_gmt":"2023-10-05T14:58:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cesie.org\/?p=124250"},"modified":"2023-10-05T16:59:35","modified_gmt":"2023-10-05T14:59:35","slug":"makeademy-recycling-elecrtonic-waste","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cesie.org\/en\/higher-education-and-research\/makeademy-recycling-elecrtonic-waste\/","title":{"rendered":"How to create an innovative project by recycling electronic waste: ideas from MAKEADEMY summer school"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

How can you create an innovative project while recycling e-waste?<\/strong> For two weeks, MAKEADEMY<\/a> <\/strong>summer school participants sought an answer to this question. Students from Lithuania, Latvia, Denmark, Spain and Italy participated in an intensive learning program<\/strong> during which they acquired techniques for problem identification, idea generation and solution research. Finally, using rapid prototyping and e-waste provided by the company \"EMP Recycling,\" the group developed solutions to the identified problems. The summer school was hosted by Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) and the Creative and Innovation Center \"LinkMen\u0173 fabrikas.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From an artistic installation with holograms to the best business model<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The summer school took place in a mixed format \u2013 students acquired theoretical knowledge remotely, and the second week took place in workshops<\/strong> at VILNIUS TECH's \"LinkMen\u0173 fabrikas.\" Lecturers and mentors from VILNIUS TECH's \"LinkMen\u0173 fabrikas\", CESIE in Italy, Aarhus University in Denmark, Riga Technical University in Latvia, and \"FabLab Barcelona\" in Spain provided theoretical and practical knowledge to the students. The company \"EMP Recycling\" offered a guided tour of their electronic waste sorting centre.

Five mixed teams of students created product prototypes. Their creative journey culminated in a pitching event where each team had 7 minutes to present<\/strong> their problem, idea, developed solution, business model, target audience, and the technical efficiency of the prototype they created.

The most innovative idea was presented by the team \"ReHERO\" \u2013 a game<\/strong> that allows playing the \"Guitar Hero\" game with any vintage<\/strong> music<\/strong> cassette<\/strong>. The most technically accomplished prototype was presented by the team \"ReBooters.\" Their installation named \"HOLO Trash\" uses holograms<\/strong> to educate people about the importance of waste sorting and recycling.<\/strong> This team used scanned waste from \"EMP Recycling\".

The best business model and presentation were prepared by the team \"JOYBIKE.\" They aim to create an assortment of innovative, functional, and adaptable bicycle accessories. <\/strong>Their prototype is a Palermo street culture-inspired bicycle accessory that produces musical sounds while pedalling. The team \"FOUR-CE\" introduced an automatic door lock that also disinfects hands<\/strong>, addressing the problem of bacteria and viruses spread in hospitals and medical facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most sustainable product prototype was presented by the team \"Luminous Link,\" which used the most electronic components obtained from the \"EMP Recycling\" company. Their created prototypes, two interconnected lamps, aim to alleviate the loneliness problem.<\/strong> When one lamp is turned on, the other, located with someone else, also lights up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The summer school involved students from Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, ISM University of Management and Economics, Aarhus University in Denmark, Palermo University and Rome La Sapienza University in Italy, Riga Technical University, BAU College of Fine Arts and Design, IAAC - Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia and its \"FabLab Barcelona\" workshops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secondary use of waste<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the challenges of the summer school was to create a new product using electronic waste.
\u00abBy giving students the opportunity to turn electronic waste into new creations, we not only develop their technical skills but also provide an important lesson in sustainability. By harnessing the potential of discarded electronics, we aim to educate a generation that understands that today's waste can become tomorrow's resources<\/strong><\/em>\u00bb says Dr Lina Pe\u010di\u016br\u0117, Director of VILNIUS TECH's \"LinkMen\u0173 fabrikas.\"

According to L. Pe\u010di\u016br\u0117, the students' creativity was surprising \u2013 even though they had the opportunity to use the same materials, the final results of the teams were very different. The general director of \"EMP Recycling\" also praised the prototypes created by the students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00abIn our daily operations, we aim to turn waste into high-quality resources, return materials to the circular economy, and preserve a clean environment for future generations. <\/strong>We encourage society to avoid waste generation, reuse items, or extend their lifespan. Therefore, we are very pleased that during the summer school, students created new, innovative projects using electronic waste provided by our company, rather than new materials. It is evident that innovation can be fostered by utilizing existing resources. <\/strong>We should promote and discuss such an approach more,\" says Darius Valeika, General Director of \"EMP Recycling<\/em>\u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The summer school adds to the many achievements of \"MAKEADEMY\" which include the student experience map Student Business Idea Development Plan<\/a> and study modules for technical creativity, deepening prototyping knowledge, as well as soft engineering skills development. All these results will be available on an open learning resources platform. Follow us so you don't miss out on project news and write to Caterina Impastato: caterina.impastato@cesie.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the project<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAKEADEMY \u2013 Makers Academy: Developing Future Engineer\u2019s Skills<\/a>\u00a0is financed by EACEA, Erasmus+, KA2: Strategic Partnerships for higher education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Partners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n