Build. Code. Design. Explore

Hands-on STEM workshops for curious students who enjoy designing, building and exploring real technology.

Create Innovation offers small-group STEM workshops and mentoring for students aged 9+ who enjoy exploring engineering, electronics, robotics and real-world technology projects.

Students learn through practical projects including foam/composite gliders, Arduino electronics, Raspberry Pi and Linux-based single-board computers, robotics, UAV systems, environmental sensing, and engineering design.

“Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible”. (St. Francis of Assisi)

Real Project-based Learning

Students learn through experimentation, prototyping, testing and improving their designs over time.

Projects focus on:

  • Hands-on engineering
  • Electronics and coding
  • Robotics and sensor systems
  • Aerodynamics and flight
  • Environmental technologies
  • Creative problem solving
  • Design and prototyping

Rather than only learning theory, students build real projects and develop practical STEM skills through guided experimentation.

Projects Students can Explore

Arduino, Raspberry Pi, & Electronics

Explore sensors, cameras, LEDs, motors and control systems using Arduino microcontrollers, Raspberry Pi and Linux-based single-board computers.

Environmental Technologies

Investigate water quality, environmental monitoring and citizen-science inspired technology projects.

CAD & Design

Learn how engineers and designers develop ideas using digital 3D modelling and design tools.

Foam/composite glider design

Learn the fundamentals of aerodynamics, stability and flight through designing, building and testing lightweight model aircraft.

Robotics & Rover Systems

Build and experiment with robotic vehicles, cameras and sensor systems.

UAVs & Aerial Imaging

Discover how drones and autonomous systems can be used for mapping, photography and environmental monitoring.

Workshop History

Between 2015 and 2020, weekly STEM workshops were run for Year 5–8 students in Auckland, with workshop groups of up to 24 students. Many students continued through multiple years of workshops as they progressed from primary into intermediate school. Several former students later went on to study engineering at university.

Students explored coding, electronics, programmable lighting, camera systems, GPS navigation, water-quality testing and engineering projects using platforms such as Arduino and Ardupilot.

Several students received top awards at:

  • Auckland NIWA Science and Technology Fair
  • national ASB Brightsparks technology competition

Although weekly workshops stopped during Covid-19 lockdowns, research and prototyping continued through ongoing family projects involving freshwater monitoring, quadcopters, fixed-wing UAV systems and AI-based camera imaging.

Learning Through Curiosity and Creativity

Every student learns differently.

Create Innovation workshops are designed to support curious learners who enjoy making, experimenting and discovering how technology works.

The workshops emphasise:

  • patience and mentoring
  • small-group learning
  • creativity and experimentation
  • practical engineering skills
  • confidence through building real projects

Students are encouraged to learn at their own pace while developing problem-solving and independent thinking skills

Current & Upcoming Workshops

OV-10 Bronco Inspired Glider Workshop

Build and test a lightweight foam glider while learning about aerodynamics, balance and aircraft design.

  • Ages 9-12 years
  • Small-group workshop
  • Typically 5 x 1 hour sessions
  • Weekly sessions or over two days.

Robotics & Electronics Tutorials

Small-group mentoring using Arduino, Single Board Computers, sensors, robotics and engineering projects.

Future Programs

Planned future workshops include:

  • rover robotics
  • environmental sensing
  • UAV mapping systems
  • CAD and design projects
  • autonomous systems
  • Radio and remote controlled systems