Young Scholars Educational Ltd is on a mission to bridge the digital divide in the world of robotics and coding for Jamaican youths. Seventy students from Kingston, Manchester, Clarendon and Montego Bay participated in the hybrid robotics and coding summer camp, which was powered by the Flow Foundation. The camp was staged over a four-week period with the aim of improving their knowledge base in robotics, coding and upskilling in using virtual reality technology.

Speaking on her motivation for staging the camp, Shanese Watson, Managing Director, Young Scholars Educational Ltd, shared, “This is a project that is very important to me because of what it represents for the future of our young people. I want them to develop skills way beyond just using technology for social media. Globally, artificial intelligence and virtual reality technologies are advancing rapidly, and currently, we are not prepared as our students have limited exposure to this field.

“There are so many jobs and so many opportunities in the industry, but you have to have the skills and that is what I hope to give these children. This camp is the foundation of my big dream, where robotics, coding and virtual reality are a part of the academic curriculum, and to form robotics and coding clubs through partnerships with schools across the island…” continued Watson.

In the robotics module, participants were challenged to use robotic parts to create models that can assist with energy savings and daily functions in the work environment.

Gardina Allen was one of the participants in the robotics and coding summer camp and she said she was inspired by her experience.

“I was excited when I heard that we were going to make a robot. I never dreamt that I could do something like this, and I am learning so many new things and having so much fun at the same time,” said Allen. “I am so proud that we made a robot, especially seeing how it can be used to make a difference in the world. This is definitely something I want to do again, and I can’t wait to share it with my friends at school.”

In addition to providing free high-speed internet connectivity, the Flow Foundation also participated in the camp’s Digital Literacy webinar by delivering its signature Connected & Protected presentation, which empowered the participants with tips on internet safety and netiquette.

Courtney Bell, Community Programmes Coordinator at the Flow Foundation, shared, “We were very happy to support this initiative as it aligns with our focus of bridging the digital divide as well as serves to introduce our young people to current technological innovation and developments. We commend Ms. Watson and her team for their vision in staging this worthwhile and relevant summer camp.”

Bell continued, “As we operate more and more in the digital space, it is also important that children are taught how to use the internet responsibly. The use of technology has transformed how we function in the world at every level and there is no going back. In fact, it is only going to get more sophisticated, and we must prepare our children to deal with all that they will face in the online world.”

The Young Scholars Educational Ltd is a beneficiary of the Flow Foundation through its sponsorship of the Governor General’s Programme for Excellence – “I Believe” Initiative. The Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting initiatives through strategic public-private partnerships that align with its mission of enabling the progress of Jamaicans through digital inclusion.