Pupils learn about robot 13 schools take part in camp

SOME 180 primary school pupils from 13 schools in Ipoh chose to while away time fruitfully during the school break they spent an exciting two days learning about robots.

Called the Robotics Challenge Camp, it was organised by Dynabook Computer Centre (Perak) Sdn Bhd and SJK (C) Wan Wah II Parent-Teacher Association.

Dynabook manager Choong Chan Hoong said the camp was first introduced in 2005 to pupils from Year Three to Year Six.

It is aimed at helping the Education Department to get schoolchildren interested in robotics, he said.

Details: Dr Mah (second from right) being briefed by Robotics Challenge Camp speaker Yee Yoke Chin on creations by children who attended the two-day camp held at SJK (C) Wan Wah in Menglembu.

Among the skills that participants can pick up at the camp are using mathematics to solve problems, science and presentation skills.

They are also given a mission at the end of the camp where they are supposed to build a robot that actually works, he added.

One of the participants Wong Zheng Yang, 11, said he enjoyed himself tremendously at the camp.

I discovered so many exciting things, said the Year Five SJK (C) Yuk Choy pupil. His mother Phang Yoke Fong, 45, said her son had wanted to join the camp last year.

But I was reluctant to let him join as I felt he was too young then, said the housewife. The mother of two boys said she relented this year as she felt the camp would allow Zheng Yang to learn about teamwork.

Perak state executive councillor Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, who closed the camp, presented RM5,000 allocation for the camps expenses.

-The STAR-