Machine Learning Robotics by TechCayman recently held their first two-day immersive camp of the 2022-2023 academic year and will be holding monthly camps until summer.
This first camp, which features two fun filled days of STEM learning, had eight participants between the ages of 11 and 14. It was the first experience with robotics for most of the campers. Upon arrival, students split into teams of two and are assigned a dedicated robotics mentor. The teams are then tasked with creating fully functioning robots, complete with brains and sensors. Mark, one of the participants with no robotics experience said, “My favorite parts of the whole camp were the challenges we had to complete with our robots.”
After constructing the robots, the students receive a crash course in basic programming fundamentals, geared to “start them off thinking like programmers,” says Program Coordinator Phil Liu. “Then, the students are encouraged to use their imaginations and to program their robots anyway they please. This teaches critical thinking and problem-solving skills.”
A young participant named Alexander said, “We built our robot incorrectly at first and we had to dissemble the entire robot to fix it. We still ended up being the first to program our robot and to feel ready with it.” Another camper, Dominik, remarked, “My favorite part of the whole experience was testing my robot’s code. What I liked about programming throughout the camp was being able to build my own design.”
Various increasingly complex puzzles for the robots to solve independently as are also introduced, then the participants are given the option of either working on the puzzles provided or exploring the capabilities of the robots in their mentored teams. Another young participant remarked, “There were some things I did expect, like creating robots, and some I didn’t expect, like the maze that the robots drive through...the camp was enjoyable and I liked it.”
After two intensive days of building and programming robots, there were several brand-new solutions presented by the teams. “It is always surprising that even after all the camps we have held over the past few years, campers at Machine Learning Robotics are still able to come up with new solutions we haven’t thought of before. It’s really fantastic seeing the kids working together in teams with their mentors,” said Liu.
For more information about TechCayman’s education program, including how to participate or become a volunteer mentor, contact MachineLearning@TechCayman.com.
TechCayman is a privately owned, government enabled services company, created to bring new technology companies and their teams to the Cayman Islands. Committed to the ongoing development of a thriving tech ecosystem, programs like Machine Learning Robotics have been created with a goal of inspiring Cayman’s youth to pursue careers in technology.
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