Deputy Premier Attends 345Robotics Camp Presentation and Robotics Competition, Urges Continued Support for Youth Innovation Programmes
On Friday 23 August 2024, students from the 345Robotics summer camp delivered an impressive presentation at Signal House, where they displayed the robots they built, participated in an exciting robot competition, and demonstrated their newfound skills in front of proud parents, community members, Ministry officials, and Deputy Premier André Ebanks. The event was led by three of the camp participants - Tehillah, Jamila and Ella - who served as the announcers.
This week of camp was made possible through sponsorship from the Ministry of Investment, Innovation, and Social Development, a supporter of the programme, which seeks to empower young Caymanians with hands-on learning experiences in robotics and technology. This summer, the camp was able to serve more students than ever before - a milestone noted by the 345Robotics Founder, Kendra Okonski.
“We were thrilled to have more students involved this year than ever before,” said Okonski. “This programme is about empowerment of young people, through hands-on robotics experiences that are fun, inclusive and accessible. Robotics is about learning by doing, by collaborating, and by solving real-world problems. Our dream is to grow this programme into a year-round initiative and to have robotics teams representing Cayman in the VexIQ Robotics World Championship.”
The camp, offered to children ages 8-13, introduced students to the world of robotics while teaching critical skills like teamwork, collaboration, and leadership. Participants built robots capable of picking up blocks and competed in friendly races to showcase their technical abilities. The camp also benefited from the involvement of three young Caymanians who played pivotal roles as mentors:
• Brandon, a brilliant roboticist, guided students through the technical aspects of their projects and learning.
• Ethan, who is heading to the UK to study mechanical engineering at university, offered his expertise and camaraderie.
• Jude, a high school student preparing for his A-levels, provided invaluable support and guidance to his younger peers especially with coding.
These young leaders were crucial to the success of the camp, embodying the very principles of empowerment, innovation, and mentorship that 345Robotics seeks to achieve.
Hon. Deputy Premier André Ebanks, in his remarks, praised the students and mentors while emphasising the Ministry’s commitment to social development through innovation.
“The reason we provided sponsorship for this programme is because it encapsulates exactly what the Ministry stands for - investment, innovation, and social development,” said Deputy Premier Ebanks. “We invest in this programme to help the next generation innovate and, in doing so, develop them socially. This is the holistic vision of the Ministry, and it’s on full display here today by these children. It also touches on a perspective I’ve mentioned at other events: we shouldn’t fear the future of machine learning. Instead, we need to give our children the tools they need to engage with it, so they can be a part of the jobs of the future.”
The event concluded with rounds of applause as students showcased their robots, culminating in a series of races that demonstrated their technical prowess and creativity. It was a proud moment—a celebration of what they had accomplished and a glimpse into their future potential.
One of the camp participants, 11-year-old Mason, shared his excitement: “It was so much fun! Thanks to this camp, I learned how to build robots and work together with my team.”
As the 345Robotics non-profit and its programmes continue to grow, Founder Kendra Okonski expressed the need for more entities to step forward and support the initiative, ensuring that the programme can expand and offer its benefits to even more young Caymanians. “This is just the beginning,” said Okonski. “We have the potential and momentum to reach far more young people, but we need ongoing support to achieve our vision of a year-round programme that empowers even more children to benefit from robotics competition and learning.”
The Ministry encourages other organisations and stakeholders to get involved and support this vital initiative, ensuring that Cayman’s youth are equipped with the skills and opportunities they need to thrive in the future.
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