Young refugees are learning about robotics, coding, and 3D printing, turning their interests into opportunities. Coached by older peers studying science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in university, young people in Za鈥檃tari Camp are empowering each other and learning together.
A UNHCR-funded Innovation Lab officially opens next month in Za鈥檃tari Camp, providing a new opportunity for children and young adults to explore technology while building teamwork and leadership skills. Courses will be led by the , a leading educational organization in Jordan, as well as other subject-matter experts, including coaching from university students and trained engineers or designers that live in Za鈥檃tari. Nearly 200 students are already enrolled for courses in robotics, 3D printing, and coding.
A team competes at the robotics competition in Za’atari Camp’s Innovation Lab
The Lab鈥檚 first initiative鈥攁 robotics competition鈥攂rought 35 boys and girls ages 12-16 together to create their own machines. The young inventors were coached by Za鈥檃tari students studying engineering and information technology at university, whose studies are supported by UNHCR鈥檚 . They received three days of training from Jubilee to hone their mentoring and leadership skills.
Teams spent 3-4 weeks working with Lego robotics kits to prepare for the competition, learning to code and program robots with support from their university coaches. While all the projects impressed the Jubilee Institute judges, the winner was a robot that picked up ping pong balls by remote control.
鈥淭hanks to this tournament, I learned how to build a robot and how to operate it,鈥 one participant said. 鈥淲e achieved our goal and had fun.鈥
The top three teams were invited to compete in the National Robotics Competition in Amman on November 23 alongside 39 other teams from across the country. The group was presented the Inspiration Award for their efforts, and one team placed fifth and qualified for the regional competition in Egypt in March 2020.
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爱酱视频鈥檚 Za鈥檃tari Community Based Protection Program (CBP), funded by UNHCR, works to protect the well-being, rights and dignity of Za鈥檃tari Camp residents through integrated and sustainable programming focused on case management, community mobilization and community engagement.
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