Young campers engineer robotic wonders

Over 75 budding engineers have been showcasing the creativity and skills that they acquired at the Barbados Junior Robotics Camp, held recently at the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies. This year’s camp, which ran for five weeks, marked a significant increase in participation, with 75 students enrolled compared to just 58 last year, reflecting a growing interest in STEM education post-pandemic.

Professor Cardinal Warde, interim executive director of the Caribbean Science Foundation, expressed his delight at the level of participation, noting that this was only the second camp since the pandemic disrupted activities. The camp catered to children aged 10 to 18, providing them with both classroom instruction and hands-on building experiences. Participants were divided into four levels, allowing them to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills through team-based projects supervised by coaches from various STEM backgrounds.

During the showcase, students presented their innovative robots, demonstrating a range of capabilities. From basic machines with motors and sensors to complex custom-built robots, the young inventors impressed the audience, which included parents and sponsors, with their ingenuity. Highlights included robots that could fling objects, stack blocks, and even a wireless robotic arm controlled by a glove.

Debra King, director of corporate communications at CIBC Caribbean, addressed the students, encouraging them to leverage their newfound skills for future success. She emphasised the importance of innovation in the Caribbean, urging the participants to become creators rather than mere consumers of technology.

“By using the knowledge you have gained here, furthering your studies and using that knowledge to create your own businesses, you can encourage the continuing use of home grown solutions not only in our region, but maybe even export your knowledge and intellectual property to the world,” King said.

The event not only celebrated the students’ achievements but also highlighted the potential for home-grown technological solutions in the region.

(PR)