The children are unlocking the ‘how’ of robotics at an automated driving workshop at SCRF 2021.

Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter

The workshop stations set up at the 12th edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) are giving children the opportunity to indulge their creativity while satiating their curiosity.

At the festival the experts are conducting stimulating sessions on the ‘how’ of robotics: how sensors integrate with processors to create movement in robots.

“How does a motor move? By using a software and commanding it to perform certain functions. We are going to teach children how to use software and show them how all these elements integrate together,” says Loay Mohtar, workshop presenter, adding, “the ‘fun’ part of these workshops is extremely important. We teach kids in an interactive and fun way, steering clear of traditional methods.”

The exciting one-hour session starts with children being taught how a motor functions, followed by a 30 minute hands-on exercise where participants attempt to build their very own bot using Lego’s ‘SPIKE Prime’ kit. The end result is the excitement on their faces when they see the robot they created move in front of their eyes.

Safety is top priority at this workshop. Extra precaution is being taken to meticulously spray and sanitise every piece of equipment within the Lego kit box in between sessions. Anyone entering the area has to have their mask on, while social distancing is being strictly maintained at all times.

This is just one of the dozens of ways SCRF 2021 is creating opportunities for children in STEM (Science, technology, engineering, mathematics) related fields to express their individual creativity.

Themed ‘For Your Imagination,’ the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival runs daily from 4pm - 10pm, barring Saturdays when SCRF will welcome visitors from 10am - 8pm, until May 29 in Expo Centre Sharjah. Along with 16 authors from the Arab region, 16 International authors are also taking part in the 11-day extravaganza which gives young readers the opportunity to participate in 537 activities aimed at enriching imagination and expanding knowledge.