QF partner Tamuq offers new programme on robotics online for high school students

CONTIN ING its online STEM Home designed to develop STEM skills in Qatar’s school students during COVID-19, Texas A M niversity at Qatar (Tamuq), a Qatar Foundation (QF) partner university, is offering a new programme on robotics for students in grades 8-12.

The Virtual Robotics Games STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programme is an integrated online learning workshop and competition organised and hosted by Tamuq to provide an opportunity for middle and high school students to explore the fundamentals of designing, building, programming and testing robots in a virtual environment all from the comfort and safety of their own homes.

Students in grades 8-12 will learn the basics of robot design, coding and simulation, and refine their ideas for a working robot in a virtual environment using the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 virtual platform. sing state-ofthe-art design and simulation software, participants will build a robot to complete the assigned mission. They will also present their designs to a panel of robotics experts.

Students will receive weekly online training sessions and provided via videoconference an online learning platform. Participants will need a computer and internet access and are expected to commit 4-6 hours per week. Participants will also need to purchase the simulation software licence (QR100). Only students who complete submission of the weekly tasks will receive a certificate.

Tamuq Dean Dr C sar Octavio Malav encouraged all STEM-minded students to commit to this extracurricular programme to develop and enhance their school learning.

“Our mission of teaching and learning continues despite the circumstances we are living in due to the coronavirus pandemic”, Malav said, adding, “As engineering and education leaders in Qatar, Texas A M at Qatar is uniquely positioned to be able to offer our expertise to school students to help them continue to learn and grow.”

Interested students should apply for a spot in the programme at https: stem.qa stem-programs idea . Applications will be received until September 21.