In Colombia, a team of students from the Cartagena International School, together with their technological entrepreneurship professor, developed an algorithm as part of an initiative that seeks to transform educational processes through technology.
Daniel Puerta, professor of technological entrepreneurship at said institution, told TechMarkup that From the beginning, the intention was to create a predictive model to detect myeloid leukemia and in this way, contribute to the development of practical skills in students so that they can solve problems in an adequate and functional way.
This project was developed with the collaboration of “Arkangel Ai”, a company that develops artificial intelligence algorithms applied to the health sector, who offered the necessary systems so that the students could carry out their mission of creating a myeloid leukemia detector.
The professor of technological entrepreneurship explains that it all started with some training for the students by the allied company so that they could learn how to manage the platform they would use to develop the algorithm.
Then, the students learned to obtain and analyze the information necessary to develop a machine learning system or, as the teacher explains, to be able to create a machine that is capable of learning about the data that is programmed for it.
With all the theory, the students compared cells that contained cancer information with those that did not possess it to train the system so that it would be able to detect leukemia from blood samples. In addition, the professor affirms that they managed to make the system more than 90% accurate in its diagnoses.
Leonardo Guerra, a ninth grade student and member of this project, spoke with TechMarkup and said that before this experience he had not had the opportunity to learn about algorithms, which is why he found it interesting to be part of this initiative to save the lives of children and young people like him in the world.
In turn, he explains that it allowed him to identify what he would like to dedicate himself to once he finishes his studies.s, so your plan is to study mechanical or electronic engineering.
Regarding the process to develop this algorithm, from the perspective of the students, Leonardo comments that before starting this project he knew absolutely nothing about leukemia, nor about technological processes. Therefore, it was relevant to be trained on leukemia and its types, as well as data analysis.
Finally, the student indicates that this type of experience would be very productive and useful in schools, since it would plant in students the initiative to help build a more sustainable society.
Daniela Carvajalino, director of the school, was emphatic that “schools are the first to kill dreams” and that for this reason it is very important to transform education so that students feel motivated to make changes with social meaning, and that they can contribute to the social and economic development of Colombia, in addition to preparing themselves in a humane way to solve the different problems of life.
The director of the school states that as an institution they are interested in promulgating educational models that go beyond the typical memorization processes, seeking to help students prepare for real life and to be able to overcome different circumstances and solve real problems.
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