WATERLOO, ON | Jan. 19, 2021 — Waterloo Region-based education company, InkSmith, has signed a global distribution agreement with Farnell, an Avnet Company and global distributor of electronic components, products, and solutions, to distribute its popular coding and robotics product known as the Climate Action Kit. The partnership agreement will expand access to learning through educational technology, democratizing STEM and digital literacy education to students throughout the world in the context of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

“Our exclusive global distribution partnership with Farnell means that educators beyond Canada will have access to our Climate Action Kit and the valuable digital, critical thinking, and design thinking learning opportunities that it enables,” says Jeremy Hedges, CEO and founder at InkSmith. “It’s important to us that while we empower the next generation of makers, coders, and problem solvers that we do so in as equitably as possible — regardless of economic, socioeconomic, and now geographic limitations. The UN Global Goals are a key driver behind why we do what we do, and this partnership helps further that mission.”

The Climate Action Kit’s project-based learning experiences are designed to teach students how to apply technology to solve real-world problems through the lens of the UN SDGs. Every project provides a unique hands-on opportunity for cross-curricular learning, with students encouraged to work collaboratively in groups or independently, in the classroom or remotely. K-12 students around the world will now have the opportunity to develop coding and design thinking skills through a variety of experiential learning challenges to design and prototype solutions using the BBC micro:bit.

“The Climate Action Kit is the ultimate tool for modern educators wanting to stimulate inquiry-based learning and inspire students to solve real world problems using technology. Technology is our greatest asset to ensure our young leaders of tomorrow have the skills and capability to overcome major global issues such as poverty, climate change and societal justice. Farnell’s market leading distribution network will dramatically expand the global reach of InkSmith's immersive, hands-on learning experiences and ensure educators can provide creative cross curriculum learning opportunities to students at every level,” says Lee Turner, Global Head of Semiconductors and SBC at Farnell.

The Climate Action Kit tackles a variety of climate change issues impacting the world today. The Kit introduces students to a variety of climate issues pertaining to SDG15: Life on Land. The projects allow students to explore topics such as deforestation and fertilization run-offs while challenging them to design their own solutions, such as automated tree planters or automated watering systems for vertical or indoor farming. Each of the following curriculum-aligned projects promote critical thinking and problem-solving while learning about environmental issues associated with advanced agriculture, deforestation, carbon farming, insect farming, and plants and pollinators.

The Climate Action Kit, now globally available from Farnell includes:

  • All motors, sensors and accessories required to tackle a number of the different Climate Action projects.
  • Teaching resources and curriculum for five project-based lessons (Deforestation, Plants and Pollinators, Insect Farming, Carbon Farming and Advanced Agriculture).
  • Three new and improved online curriculum course packs designed by InkSmith’s in-house education experts to be compatible with remote, in-class, and hybrid learning environments.
  • One Climate Action globe Breakout Board to connect a BBC micro:bit.
  • An accompanying Teacher’s Guide with easy to follow instructions.

Farnell has worked with multiple educational organizations and governments to support strategic rollouts of STEM learning solutions into classrooms around the world. Farnell also offers support with provision and bundling of equipment for bespoke large-scale programmes similar to the Super:bit programme in Norway.

The Climate Action Kit is available from Farnell in EMEA, Newark in the United States and Mexico, and element14 in APAC.

ABOUT INKSMITH

InkSmith is an education technology company at the forefront of 21st-century learning and digital innovation in the EdTech space. InkSmith's mission is to provide educators with the technology and resources they need to teach the next generation of makers, coders, and problem-solvers. Their ultimate goal is to prepare students for the future by empowering them with the skills they’ll need to thrive and be successful in our rapidly changing world.

Website: inksmith.ca

Instagram: @inksmith3d

Facebook: @Inksmith3D

Twitter: @InkSmith3D

LinkedIn: @InkSmith

ABOUT FARNELL

Farnell is a global technology leader with over 80 years in the high service distribution of technology products and solutions for electronic system design, production, maintenance and repair. Farnell uses this experience to support its broad customer base, from hobbyists to engineers, maintenance engineers and buyers as ‘The Development Distributor’, working with leading brands and start-ups to develop new products for market, and supporting the industry as it seeks to develop the current and next generation of engineers.

Website: www.farnell.com

For media inquiries, please contact:

Madison Lambden

519-994-1912

media@inksmith.ca

Shannon Dodangoda

905-806-7190

media@inksmith.ca