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Education is more and more important these days. And in Indonesia, schools are popping up to help teach children about robotics. Children under 8 years old learn basic mechanics while older pupils learn programming.
The Indonesian robotics center was set up in the capital Jakarta in 2006. Currently it has 27 branches across the country.
The center aims to introduce robotics technologies to children at an early age and within an affordable price.
Each child pays just US$40 per month to attend.
The classes are divided into two groups-beginner's class for those under 8 years old and advance classes for those between 8 and 18.
A teacher of robotics center named Fauzan says, "First we teach the children basic mechanics so they can learn about gears and building solid structures. Afterwards we introduce them to programming, so they can program their robots to do the tasks that they want them to do."
Children's interests are treasured here. And school officials believe that having fun with learning helps motivate the children.
15-year-old Devlyn has been attending the robotics courses for 2 years.
He has just finished a latest creation - which will likely be entered in this year's nationwide robotics festival organized by the center.
Devlyn, a 15 years old student says, " This robot has a sensor mechanism. When this part goes up, then the robot puts down what it's holding. The challenge in this assignment is the same as last year - putting down things in a designated place."
In the future, the goal is to to bring robotics courses into the normal school curriculum. And officials at the center are busy appealing to the government. |