Team Musandam wins Engineering for Kids, BP Oman Robotic Olympics public contest
Engineering for Kids in partnership with BP Oman concluded the 'Robotic Olympics’ programme on Monday. Team Musandam was announced winner of the unique public contest for children with a passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Twenty-two teams went head-to-head to the final four in spirited events held throughout the summer months. Competitive young finalists recently were convened for the final round held at the National Business Centre, Muscat, where participants from North Sharqiyah, Dakhliyah, Muscat, and Musandam undertook activities that comprised cutting-edge learning experiences, stated a press release.
Ammar Ali al Maskari, chief executive officer of Engineering For Kids, said, “STEM education is now at the forefront of learning around the world for children of all ages based on the advancements of global industry and the modernisation of many traditional working environments. The level of creative and analytical thought children will need to deliver in their role as future pro- fessionals requires early and continued investments if we are to ensure performance. The Robotic Olympics is a creative platform we created to have an impact on children and their families across Oman, while of course having an exceptional amount of fun.”
Shamsa Ahmed al Rawahi, BP Oman’s Social Investment manager said, “Engineering for Kids delivers an important educational initiative which plays a vital role in readying our youth to meet the demands of increasingly competitive markets. Industry faces skills gap of people trained in STEM subjects and the need to attract more interest from students is critical. There is a direct link between creative and social learning platforms focussed on areas of modern education and the progressive performance of children; thus, we supported these outstanding activities in the drive to contribute to enriching Oman’s national workforce with a cadre of creative youth.”
As a part of its wider collaboration with BP Oman to supplement and modernise educational activities in Oman, Engineering For Kids organised a set of workshops under the Khazzan Engineering Club, where facilitators from Engineering for Kids and additional 29 volunteers from job seekers have delivered up to 70 engineering camps for almost 2,000 children to date.
Recent workshops comprised and well-educated activities that helped students explore and apply the principles of buoyancy and design while customising video game controllers.
Engineering for Kids enlists pupils aged 4-14 with the aim of cultivating young minds to develop problem-solving skills that encourage them to discover and understand ‘how things work’ and the principles that enable functionality, be it scientific, technological, mathematical, or mechanical.