THE news of Team Jamaica earning a bronze medal at the recent Robotics Olympics in Athens, Greece, continues to inspire students across the island. The news, too, has revealed the number of coding and robotics programmes here in Jamaica that provide equal opportunities to under-represented communities to explore technology.

One such programme is IGT’s (International Game Technology) Coding and Robotics Rock! camp, which operates through the organisation’s after school advantage (ASA) programme. This year, however, students from Mustard Seed Communities’ Jerusalem! residential village and Dare to Care programme were the camp’s only autistic participants.

“The camp’s curriculum was a great help to them. It took them further from where they were in terms of understanding and using information technology, preparing them for the new school year,” said Melisa Barrett, assistant administrator of Mustard Seed Communities’ Dare to Care Programme.

A State University of New York (SUNY) study entitled ‘The Benefits of Summer Camps for Youth at Risk: A Circle of Courage Framework’ states that community initiatives and partnerships (such as IGT’s ASA programme) are critical in bridging the digital divide.

“By providing tailored support and resources, these initiatives empower individuals from diverse backgrounds to engage with technology, ultimately promoting equity and fostering a more inclusive tech landscape,” said the study’s author Allison Klee.

“The ASA programme is the IGT’s flagship community initiative, devoted to providing youth with access to technology at digital learning centres in communities where the company operates,” says Shavindra Tewarie-Singh, IGT senior people and transformation manager for the Caribbean. “The programme ensures students have access to participate in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) educational opportunities while developing the knowledge and skills for the jobs of tomorrow,” she said.

Barrett noted that the assignments during the coding and robotics camp encouraged the students to embrace new challenges, and teamwork allowed them to improve their communication skills. The students have taken their enthusiasm into the classroom this school year.

Klee’s study, too, notes that “…Camps intentionally foster autonomy and meaningful experiences, helping at-risk youth acquire vital skills and achievements that they may not find in traditional educational settings. Rather than merely functioning as temporary recreational facilities, summer camps are characterised as intentional communities that promote cognitive, behavioural, physical, social, and emotional development.”

Programmes such as IGT’s Coding and Robotics Rock! camp and ASA teach valuable technical skills and provide a supportive environment that fosters personal growth and achievement. Since 2011, IGT has opened 40 ASA computer labs across the English-speaking Caribbean.

“IT learning and tech-driven problem-solving not only has practical applications but also provides a sense of purpose, identity, and limitless opportunities to positively impact the world,“ said IGT Jamaica General Manager Debbie Green. ”IGT remains committed to driving learning through technology.”