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| Students in HCMC learn how to control robots at the Robotics = Code + Creativity workshop – PHOTO: COURTESY OF ORGANIZER |
Organized by RMIT’s Center of Digital Excellence (CODE), the series is available to students aged between 15 and 21. The beginner program will conclude in March, followed by an intermediate program due to commence in April at the American Center.
Each weekly session features a coding activity paired with a creative activity to introduce students to how a robot works, how to program it and some of the many things that a robot can do.
“Learning and experiencing new science and technology at an early age helps enhance the creativity, innovation and problem-solving skills of high school and college students,” said Juan German, Information Officer and Spokesperson of the U.S. Consulate General in HCMC.
“We were very impressed with the strong proposal of the Center of Digital Excellence that focused on coding and robotics study. The program will nurture the U.S.-Vietnam partnership in terms of promoting academic excellence and innovation within Vietnam’s education system,” he added.
According to head of CODE Associate Professor Jerry Watkins, the workshops concentrate on practical strategies to help boost student engagement such as connecting theory with real-life scenarios.
“Instead of repetitive programming exercises, we teach using games and simulations. Through this, students learn how robots can be used creatively to solve problems and develop solutions,” he said.
Twin sisters Le Xuan Nhi and Le My Nhi decided to join the beginner program before going abroad to study mechanical engineering.
“Since this course is designed for absolute beginners, I thought it would be a good fit for me because I like robotics and coding although I have no prior experience in this area of study,” said Le Xuan Nhi, who learned some programming fundamentals during her first two workshops.
“After the workshop series ends, we hope we will be able to do programming, understand the logic of coding and learn how to control a robot,” Le My Nhi said.
