2018 Barbados Junior Robotics Camps Ends with Impressive Showcase by Students

The Caribbean Science Foundation (CSF), a non-profit organization promoting science and engineering in the Caribbean, announced today the conclusion of its 4^th annual Barbados Junior Robotics Camp (BJRC) on 8^th August, 2018. The BJRC is a one-month summer enrichment program for young Barbadian students interested in robotics, and introduces them to basic technology and engineering concepts as well as computer programming. Professor Cardinal Warde of MIT, who is the Interim Executive Director of the CSF, explained that “one of the long-term goals is to replicate the camp throughout the Caribbean, and to catalyze the integration of robotics into standard primary and secondary school curricula.”

In the 2018 BJRC, 58 students are taking part in the 3 levels of the camp, including 14 girls and 44 boys. Level I of the camp catered to students between the ages of 10 and 13, Level II catered  to 11 through 14 year olds, and the newly created Level III catered to more mature students, ages 15 to 18. The 10 Camp Facilitators have science and technology backgrounds, and have been trained in the VEX Robotics curriculum. When asked about her experience as a student at the Camp, Aria Goodridge, who is in the Level II camp said “BJRC 2018 was very cool. It provided exposure to engineering in the real world, especially how various disciplines pitch in the complete a project."  Ms. Desiree Jordan, who serves as the Level 1B Head Coach said “The Barbados Junior Robotics Camp is an excellent opportunity for children to get a practical, real-life view of science and engineering.  I love the idea, and am happy to devote part of my summer to the camp year after year.” 

The highlight of BJRC will occur on Wednesday August 8 in Lecture Theatre I on the UWI campus when the young students will showcase their robots to the public.  The sponsors of BJRC 2018 are the Central Bank of Barbados, the City of Bridgetown Credit Union, Sagicor, and Emera Caribbean.  For more information about BJRC, please visit http://caribbeanscience.org/barbados-junior-robotics-camp/ and/or contact Professor Cardinal Warde at warde.csf@gmail.com or 1-617-699-1281. Donations to the Barbados Junior Robotics Camp can be made at http://caribbeanscience.org/cadsti/support/, or by check mailed to the Caribbean Science Foundation, CARICOM Research Building, UWI Cave Hill Campus, St. Michael, Barbados.