JackBord documentation officer Daneel Penman, left, marketing manager Sophie Bolsover, head of software Zak Kiernander, founder Jack Penman, chief executive Stuart Ayres. Photo / David Haxton
JackBord documentation officer Daneel Penman, left, marketing manager Sophie Bolsover, head of software Zak Kiernander, founder Jack Penman, chief executive Stuart Ayres. Photo / David Haxton
A unique product, being assembled in Waikanae, is helping to break down the barriers in science, technology, engineering, maths and more, for school children of all abilities and demographics.
The all-in-one computer, coding and robotic educational system, called JackBord, is hoped to create a renewed interest in the subjects forstudents and teachers alike.
"There is a whole bunch of people who are missing out on the opportunity to learn science, technology, engineering, maths, robotics, coding, programming and so forth, because the system doesn't provide for them, yet they're the very people who can make a difference in the world," JackBord Works Ltd chief executive Stuart Ayres said.
"The thrust of this is to break down the barriers to learning and teaching.
"Learning from the children's perspective, and teaching from the teacher's perspective.
"In a year's time we want to be known by all the schools in New Zealand who will consider it for their science and technology programmes.
"We want to be able to deliver it remotely too with lots of documentation so they [the student] can do it confidently.
"Long-term the progression is the Pacific Islands, Australia, Asia.
"We know the market wants it, it's changing kids' lives already, there's nothing like it in the world, and it's affordable for its type."
The origins for the product started a few years ago when Jack Penman and others decided to get more children into robotics at Paraparaumu, Kāpiti and Ōtaki colleges.
He said the company was self-funded but the aim was to have JackBord commercialised so certain investors would get behind it for the long term.
"My role is really to build up value in the business by pre-orders, validating the product, and getting as much risk out of it as possible, build the value, and attract the money without giving away the whole lot."
