These robotics workshops for 11- to 13-year-olds were launched in 2019 by EPFL in collaboration with the Department of Economic Affairs of the Canton of Neuchâtel and with support from cantonal companies such as Ciposa, Ima Automation, Mikron, Microcity, and Rollomatic.
The goal was to encourage young people to explore the fields of robotics and computer science, as well as to inspire them to pursue careers in these fields. For this third edition, 48 young people took the robotics courses “Robots Are for Girls” and “Building and Programming a Robot” on the EPFL campus at Microcity for 11 weeks (from October 2022 to January 2023), under the guidance of qualified EPFL students.
Every Saturday throughout the semester, participants aged 11 to 13 learned how to design, build, and program a robot while having fun. Three different, fun projects were offered, and these workshops were a huge success.
Separate classes for girls to promote future careers for women
Both robotics courses have the same content and objectives, which are to promote information and communication technologies and engineering fields through the use of robotics. However, the decision to organize separate courses for girls and boys is intended to encourage girls to participate more actively in these activities and to attract more girls to technical and scientific careers in order to address the shortage of engineers and promote future careers for women in a heavily industrialized region.
An official closing ceremony to showcase the robots
At the closing ceremony, which took place on January 28, 2023, the young participants were able to demonstrate to the audience the robot they had programmed to perform various tasks. It was a great opportunity to hear their thoughts.
“I really enjoyed learning how to work as part of a team and how to program. I’d love to take another class.” Diana, age 11
"Programming is interesting. You have to be very precise for it to work." Sara, 11 years old
“My dad is an engineer, and I really like robots. That’s what made me want to sign up.” Alia, age 10
This learning experience allowed them to become familiar with information, communication, and engineering technologies at a very early age and to gain confidence in their abilities in these fields.
By taking place before students reach the stage of choosing their academic paths, such an experience could encourage participants to select, as early as middle or high school, the options that would allow them to pursue technical fields or enroll in related training programs.
Valuable support from Neuchâtel-based companies in the sector for organizing workshops in the canton
These free workshops would not be possible without the support of Neuchâtel-based companies in the industry. For this edition of Ciposa, Ima Automation, Mikron, Microcity, and Rollomatic stepped up and helped participants enjoy an unforgettable experience and discover the exciting world of robotics.
The next series of workshops is scheduled for October 2023–January 2024.