Robotics and Critical Thinking

Tomás

“This class focused on programming, physics, engineering, design of a device and the documentation of the process.

To begin with Itamar, the professor, presented the project to us: to build a meteorological balloon with several sub-systems including an altitude sensor, a detaching mechanism for the balloons, a parachute, indicators and the ability to send and receive data from a phone application.

The project could not be done by calculating theoretical values such as the velocity of the device alone, but also the expectations of the dimensions of the parachute and the code.

There was a huge need for cooperation and teamwork from the students in the class. The roles had to be divided in order to reach a successful and efficient result.”

Biotechnology and Project-Based Learning

Antonella and Rotem

“We were taught by an incredible teacher, Dr Marcella, who managed to explain new and complicated material in an accessible and engaging way.

The main goal of our research was the detection of mycoplasma in biological samples. During our work, we used specialist lab equipment and materials we had never seen or touched before.

At the beginning of the course we practiced skills that would be useful during later research and two main experiments.

The first experiment we did was an isolation of bacteria and we gained skills which would help us on the second day. As well as this, we did a Gram staining that allowed us to classify the bacteria we saw on the microscope. Later, we worked on bacterial DNA extracting, isolating, doing a PCR and finally an electrophoresis.

Overall, it was a great experience to satisfy our curiosity, get to do practical experiments and to get to know how the laboratory work is done.”