Taipei/Berlin − Da Vinci Media GmbH announced their new initiative in robotics and technology education, Da Vinci Innovation Labs (Da Vinci Labs).

The mission of Da Vinci Labs is to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people by using educational robotics as a progressive learning platform. Using industry leading robotics hardware and innovative coding software, Da Vinci Labs provides access to technical learning that is increasingly important for students in today’s digital economy.

With an emphasis on learning by doing and team based project work, Da Vinci Labs complements Asia’s educational system by offering an integrated STEM Curriculum. The purpose of STEM learning is to introduce concepts in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics using real world situations to enhance student’s skills in critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity. The curriculum is based on similar programmes at Stanford University and Carnegie Mellon University.

Commenting on the launch, Da Vinci Labs Director Rita Hsiao said, “The first Da Vinci Lab will open in Taipei’s Songshan District in September 2015 followed by Labs in Hong Kong and Shanghai in 2016. Each of the Labs offers a range of courses on robotics and app development for students aged 8 to 16. Students work in small teams under the guidance of an instructor to apply what they are learning in school to real world problems. For parents who want to prepare their children for the digital economy, it’s a great programme – and it is fun for students.”

Ferdinand Habsburg, Founder and CEO of Da Vinci Media GmbH said, “We are delighted to announce this initiative in the exciting field of robotics and automation. We are confident that this venture will help us support and enrich the education of Taiwan’s young people as well as extend our brand and programming in a very impactful manner.”