Dwengo makes tech education available to everyone thanks to Google's RISE programme
Dwengo vzw is a non-profit organisation that was founded in Belgium with the goal to promote electronics and programming to teenagers. Particularly passionate about robotics, Dwengo has developed their own equipment to use in their programs, such as the Dwenguino board: a flexible, multi-functional, microcontroller platform compatible with Arduino IDE. With the support of Google's RISE program, Dwengo has internationally expanded its activities and wants to reach out for everyone on the globe. To realise this, Dwengo tries to help already existing local communities by offering them knowledge and expertise. The global Google RISE network consists of many organisations and catalyzes international collaboration. By means of online tutorials, support and mentoring programs, teachers and volunteers are encouraged to organise computer science related activities. As a result, Dwengo realised sustainable programs in Argentina, India and multiple European countries. On a regular basis Dwengo organises workshops and camps for children. An example of such is the International Robot Week during which students from different nationalities and socio-economic backgrounds are encouraged to realise robot art. The aim of this project is to provide technical skills and robot building experience to high school students while at the same time facilitating a cross-cultural exchange of knowledge and experiences. Students involved in this program describe it as a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” and see themselves as technology ambassadors who stimulate friends to get involved in technology.
Everyone deserves a chance to learn about technology and use it to create something new. Google's support helped us in realising this dream worldwide.