JAY JOSHI
Technology is rapidly changing the way we work, think and play today. Phenomena such as programming, robotics, artificial intelligence etc are set to redefine everything from jobs to markets to education. Research and knowledge in this field is rapidly emerging, and it is important to introduce students to these fields as early as possible.
This is the central thought behind LetsRobo, a technology education programme for kids between class III to class IX, informs Reshma Suvarna, the founder of the initiative. Founded in October 2017, LetsRobo is a programme that teaches robotics to kids through systematically designed curriculum. “The three-year programme complies with US and European education standards, and also with the Indian CBSE and State Board norms”, informs Suvarna. “The team behind this venture is currently working with a number of schools in Goa to implement the programme as a part of school syllabus,” she says.
Suvarna is an Indian engineer who was previously working in the US but shifted recently to India. It was her daughter’s interest in robotics that led her to start LetsRobo. “My daughter who was in class II was already pursuing courses in robotics . When we came back, we did find some robotics workshops here in India,but they were rather ephemeral. You did something for a couple of days, and later it was all forgotten. Learning from this, we decided to design a course with a proper curriculum that would help students in the long run.” elaborates LetsRobo founder.
Despite its name alluding to Robotics, the programme covers several broader aspects of technology such as programming, machines, and electronic circuits among others.The programme is currently being implemented in around 13 schools across Goa and Maharashtra.
Even if the programme is mostly technical in nature, it will also help students who choose to head into streams such as arts and commerce, says the founder. “Even though the programme is built around technology, we also pay attention to developing skills such as creativity, communication, critical thinking, and collaboration. So, this programme can also help the students who do not plan to take up engineering,” Suvarna explains.
That said, not all students are technology-friendly. However, changing the way we perceive technology can help tackle the fear many people feel about it, says Suvarna. “Generally we tend to bifurcate arts and science as two different fields, but if you look at real life, that is not the case. Kids who are good with arts are more creative in their problem-solving approach. They will be more creative even when they are trying to solve a technical problem. We cover different areas of technology and not just robotics. The course covers themes such as game design, animation, etc. When you are designing a game, what matters is how creative are you with the problem of the game. You have to consider how your character is going to look, how is the point system going to be. Through such exercises, we make sure that creativity is fostered and art plays a role in the course,” states the LetsRobo founder.
The programme teaches designing robots with a range of different sensors including colour sensors, line coding sensors, eco sensors which can measure distance, and infrared sensors among others. As the student’s level advances, they go on to build more advanced robots that could fulfil specific requirements. The programme currently offers training only upto high-school level, but the founders plan to extend it to higher-secondary schools as well.
“Right now, the field of robotics is quite fluid. We are currently affiliating with European standards because those countries are more advanced in terms of how this education needs to be planned. Once we figure out how to best implement this programme in schools, we could move to higher levels,” says Suvarna.
With passage of time, technology is going to be more and more integrated into our lifestyle. Mundane monotonous jobs will be taken over by technology, and humans will play a key role when it comes to creativity, Suvarna avers, adding that it is very important to include technology in education, considering the changes that are going to take place in the coming decades.
Efforts are currently on to implement LetsRobo programme at Mahila and Nutan High School in Margao. Apart from this, short summer camps are also being offered under this programme to enhance kids’ interest in robotics..
