Choreographer for robots

In recent months, the sounds of engines and students' conversations have filled classrooms in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country in Southeast Europe. These classes are part of a "School of the Future" program that helps students build and use robots in their daily lives.

The program aims to enhance Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in Bosnia and Herzegovina, supported by the " Economic Management for Growth" (EGG2) project funded by the Government of the Kingdom of Norway and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

"Before, we didn't know what robots were or what they looked like," said Amer Talo, a student at Tesanj High School. Through hands-on experience with robots, Amer quickly grasped new skills.

Together with their two classmates, Eldar Bosnjak and Abdurahman Subasie, they successfully built the jumping robot Hexapod. Their project won first prize in the high school category at the "School of the Future - Imagination Day 2024" event, held last June in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Despite being an exciting invention, creating the Hexapod robot was a significant challenge for the students from Tesanj. Under the guidance of their mentor, Professor Mujo Zeničanin, and with support from the STEMI initiative, they studied robotics theory before moving on to hands-on practice with the equipment from the "School of the Future" program, funded by the EGG2 project.

Amer explained: "Our goal is to choreograph a dance, or rather a dance routine, for the robot to perform to the music. Creating the dance requires many steps, including assembling the robot, calibrating the motors, and connecting the components to the motherboard."

Bosnjak added that a crucial part of the project was developing an application to remotely control the Hexapod. In addition, they designed a robotic arm. "Our mentors and teachers dedicated their time to us and always encouraged us to express our views and ideas. This gave us extra motivation to complete the project," Bosnjak said.

The project also contributes to improving students' teamwork and communication skills. STEM education not only helps students learn about engineering but also grasp teamwork skills, creative thinking, and critical thinking, helping them better prepare for future academic and professional environments.

Abdurahman Subasie stated that the biggest challenge faced by young people interested in robotics and technology is the lack of funding and equipment. That's why programs like "Schools of the Future" provide them with opportunities for hands-on experience.

The hands-on activities of this program are exciting for students with a passion for robotics, like Najla Skopljak, from Camil Sijarie Primary School in Nemila. At the age of 8, Najla received a robot assembly kit as a gift, and that was the starting point that led her into the world of technology.

"Not long after, I realized that assembling and building was very interesting. However, I couldn't find a suitable place for this hobby. It wasn't until 7th grade that a friend told me about the robotics club. That's when my dream came true. We started assembling robots and creating applications, choreographing dances for the robots," Skopljak recounted.

At the "School of the Future - Imagination Day 2024" event, Najla Skopljak and her friends Davud Hecimovic and Hamza Telalovic won the "Best Project" award in the elementary school category. The group chose Michael Jackson's song "Billie Jean" and mimicked the famous moonwalk dance.

The "Schools of the Future" program has demonstrated that the younger generation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is eager to pursue STEM fields. They believe that STEM education and resources can help them prepare for the future and contribute to shaping future technology and innovation in their country.

Source: UNDP

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/hoc-sinh-lop-7-bien-dao-dieu-nhay-cho-robot-20240812130440826.htm