Celebrating Techweek’17 at MOTAT

Celebrating Techweek’17 at MOTAT

Techweek’17, a calendar event focused on reshaping our world through design, innovation and technology is back from 6 to 14 May and this year it’s bigger and better.

“Our Techweek goal is to stimulate an environment where technology provides important productivity and economic benefits for New Zealand,” says Graeme Muller, NZTech chief executive.

MOTAT is once again participating in this programme which seeks to put our most innovative tech thinkers to work, finding local answers to global questions. Museum visitors can get involved through a range of events the museum has planned. These include award-winning workshops by OMGTech! and a free robotics workshop run by Robogals, a voluntary world-wide network of engineers.

During an action packed weekend, MOTAT will host OMGTech! Rangers Events for up to 250 kids as they spend a fun couple of days exploring and building their confidence with technology. Workshops on Saturday 6 May will be focused on software where participants will learn to code and design games as well as how to prototype things for 3D Printing. The following day will be all about hardware including programming robots, playing with science, and pulling stuff apart to understand how technology works.

The Robogals workshop on Saturday 13 May encourages kids to get hands-on with Lego Mindstorm EV3 robots as they learn how to use graphical programming software to problem-solve and complete tasks. This 2-hours workshop is ideally suited to girls aged 10 - 14 but boys are also welcome.

Then from 8 to 13 May, The Idea Collective at MOTAT will host a week-long mini-exhibition featuring the latest games curated by the NZGDA (New Zealand Game Developers Association) and The Arcade Auckland including AUT’s Pigsty Play & Games Lab. From local indie talent to educational games or even virtual reality, there’s something for every gaming enthusiast at MOTAT’s Week of Play and Wonder (WOPAW) during Techweek’17.

There’s also the opportunity to network with game developers and community leaders at the free WOPAW Open Gaming Evening from 6pm on Thursday 11 May. This will include demonstrations of interactive gaming technology from local innovators. The meetup is open to anyone interested in game development and aims to inspire and teach guests about making games.

OMGTech! Workshops
Dates: Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 May
Times: 12.30 to 4.30pm
Venue: MOTAT
Pricing: $70 for one day, $100 for two days
Booking essential: https://omgtech-motats-tech-weekend.lilregie.com/step1

Week of Play and Wonder (WOPAW)
Dates: 8 – 13 May
Time: 10am – 5pm
Venue: Idea Collective @ MOTAT
Pricing: General MOTAT admission fees apply

WOPAW Open Gaming Evening
Date: 11 May
Time: 6 - 8pm
Venue: The Idea Collective @ MOTAT
Pricing: Free
Register: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/wopaw-open-gaming-evening-tickets-32995670940

Robotics with Robogals
Date: Saturday 13 May
Time: 10:30am – 12:30pm
Venue: MOTAT
Pricing: Free
Booking essential: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/robotics-with-robogals-tickets-33201828563

ENDS

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