LET'S GO TO SHINY SCHOOL
"We need entertainment." Many were surprised to hear this answer in June, 2012 when 18-year-old Togo Martine won first prize in the ‘Social Enterprise Idea Contest’ in Malawi, Africa. His story explained that it was not ‘necessities’ that should be delivered by volunteers, rather it should be ‘entertainment’ which villagers could enjoy together. Samsung Electronics created the ‘Shiny Project’ as an answer to the problem.
- The ideas of Togo Martine IDEA
- Hatbit’s Theater ENTERTAINMENT
- Shiny School EDUCATION
Based on the ideas of Togo Martine, Hatbit Lab members worked together to create their first ‘portable solar-powered theater’ in Ethiopia. Samsung Electronics collaborated with MYSC(Merry Year Social Company) to reimagine Hatbit’s solar-powered theater as part of an Upcycling Design Project to create the ‘Shiny Projector’, making it possible for villagers to share images and videos together. In 2014, Samsung wanted to expand the project into the educational field, hoping to create an effective educational system that would increase the low enrollment of middle schools.
- * Hatbit Lab
A volunteer group that utilizes appropriate technology based on their ‘Shiny’ device to benefit the country’s education and culture while addressing its electricity shortages.
Utilizing appropriate technology, we upgraded Hatbit’s 2013 ‘Shiny Projector’ to develop the ‘Shiny Pi’ and ‘Shiny OHP’ in 2014 as part of the Shiny School Project. Samsung considered the environmental and social conditions of local communities, using ‘appropriate technology’ that provided sustainable use as well as easy maintenance. Taking into consideration the lack of electricity at nighttime in Africa, we integrated a solar powered battery along with other readily available materials.
Shiny School featured Shiny-Pi, an upgraded version of Hatbit’s solar theater from 2013. By incorporating a Raspberry Pi compact modular computer, the projector could display pictures and videos, letting students see vivid images of things they could only imagine before.
After connecting the Shiny-Pi to the power supply, users could select the desired video or image on the Raspberry Pi computer and project it on a screen. The size of the reflection on the screen could be adjusted using the lens tube to alter the amount of space between the projector’s body and flannel lens.
The Shiny OHP was designed to easily assimilate into classrooms in Africa, where teachers typically spend a long time writing on a blackboard while students wait without textbooks. The Shiny OHP used a Shiny-Pi that projects writing onto a screen by inserting OHP film in front of the lens, rather than connecting the computer.
By taking advantage of the device, teachers were less likely to experience difficulties in the classroom. Not only did it eliminate inhaling pesky chalk dust, it also allowed teachers to create more interesting lessons.
The first Shiny School was a four-day workshop held at Malawi’s Mchitanjiru High School in July, 2014. Samsung donated 5 notebook computers to teachers, training them how to plan and organize their lessons efficiently using the Shiny-Pi and Shiny OHP. We caught a glimpse of the students’ and teachers’ enthusiasm as we demonstrated many ways the Shiny Projector could be used effectively.
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Discussions with local teachers about problems they face, determining solutions utilizing the Shiny Projector
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Preparation of teaching materials and creating trial lessons
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Training with five donated laptops to facilitate computer-based lessons
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Students participation in Shiny School math, English, and science classes
During English class, children were shocked and amazed as soon as words written on the OHP film were projected onto the screen. Students at the back of the class instantly expressed their joy, no longer finding it difficult to read the words from the back of the dark classroom. Students were able to experience vivid images of the human heart searched from the internet during Science class, and participated in a Math quiz created using layered OHP film. The kids were more eager than ever to answer the teacher’s questions throughout the entire class.
"Using the Shiny OHP, textbook content could be seen immediately, and was really helpful for making quizzes about the lesson. I was excited to see children actively participating and enjoying the lesson."
- Malawi Teacher
"The Shiny OHP projector is more than just equipment. I was able to truly understand its value from the moment I saw the children’s sparkling eyes as they participated in the class."
- Samsung Community Relations
During English class, children were shocked and amazed as soon as words written on the OHP film were projected onto the screen. Students at the back of the class instantly expressed their joy, no longer finding it difficult to read the words from the back of the dark classroom. Students were able to experience vivid images of the human heart searched from the internet during Science class, and participated in a Math quiz created using layered OHP film. The kids were more eager than ever to answer the teacher’s questions throughout the entire class.
- Yoon Ji Yoon
- UX Designer, Consumer Electronics Division
- Jeong Yoo Shin
- UX Designer, Wireless Division
- Im Young Jun
- Engineer, Network Division
- Bang Na Rae
- Semiconducter Developer
- Kim Seong Shik
- Service Technology Strategist
Hatbit Lab Members
