Grandpa Can Innovate Too
Shin Min Daily News, 阿公也能创新
By Professor Yow Wei Quin, Head of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS)
(Translated summary)
I know a 69-year-old man, Mr Wu. One day, his grandson excitedly showed him an educational kit from the Singaporean startup Stick ’Em, founded by SUTD alumnus Adam Huh Dam. The kit includes electronic boards, small motors, chopsticks, and connectors, which can be assembled into various robots and structures and programmed via an online platform. Just last week, Stick ’Em won the 2025 Hult Prize, standing out from over 20,000 teams worldwide, and received $1 million in seed funding. The company provides affordable STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) kits paired with online resources, helping teachers around the world run hands-on courses. Many children are experiencing experiments and programming for the first time, sparking their imagination for the future. Yet Mr Wu laughed: “How am I supposed to understand this? Everything is digital now. Back in my day, we played five stones and kicked shuttlecocks!”
His words highlight a reality: as technology advances, older adults can be left behind. Innovation shouldn’t slow down out of fear that they “cannot learn”; instead, design should be inclusive and emotionally meaningful. Properly designed tools can allow older adults to record family stories, control home lights, or create projects with grandchildren, enhancing skills, creativity, and intergenerational bonds. Psychology shows that people of all ages crave usefulness, connection, and competence. When innovation begins with these human needs, it brings not just new technology, but a better life. Innovation isn’t just about electronics or code—it’s about connecting generations, making progress both smart and warm. With simple kits, patience, and a willingness to learn together, we can build a future that everyone can share.
