Aditya Birla World Academy Initiative: Empowering Students in Robotics & Elevating STEM Education

· 50 Students of grade 9 from Lady Engineer High School attended the informative and exciting session on Robotics at Aditya Birla World Academy (ABWA)

· ABWA will continue to train a group of 30 students, interested in Robotics at their Robotics Lab – Binary Bolts and help them participate in the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), a robotics competition for students in grades 7–12

· At an integral part of their outreach programme, ABWA Binary Bolts extends opportunities to schools to explore learning at the cutting edge innovative Robotics Lab and be trained by ABWA students, catalysing Knowledge Exchange and Innovation

Mumbai, 5th March 2024: Aditya Birla World Academy (ABWA) welcomed 50 young students from Lady Engineer High School to experience its cutting-edge Robotics Laboratory, Binary Bolts in an experiential and informative session. ABWA’s Robotics Lab, Binary Bolts is designed to provide students with unparalleled access to state-of-the-art robotics tools and resources. This innovative space aims to spark creativity, foster critical thinking and enhance problem-solving skills among students. As part of ABWA’s outreach programme and commitment to drive STEM education, ABWA will train 30 students from various schools that do not have access to such innovative platforms, catalysing Knowledge Exchange and Innovation. Over the years, ABWA is proud to note that the number of girls participating in Robotics has increased phenomenally. This achievement underscores our commitment to encouraging students to explore diverse interests and combine them, reflecting our approach to holistic education beyond traditional boundaries, especially in fields like robotics often associated with mathematics and science.”

Speaking on the occasion Mrs. Radhika Sinha, Principal, Aditya Birla World Academy said ‘’We are thrilled by the overwhelming response to our Robotics Lab – Binary Bolts visit. We believe that providing access to robotic learning by offering cutting-edge resources is a step towards a holistic approach to teaching and learning. Today, there has been a paradigm shift in the 21st-century education system, not limited to one stream such as science or arts. Education today is more holistic, providing students the opportunity to explore various streams, combine different subjects, and gain a more holistic approach towards learning and knowledge. This is what our robotics program also stands for — overall development, where students are encouraged to explore the different strands of learning. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who contributed to making the Robotics Laboratory visit a memorable and enriching experience for students.”

Speaking at the event Ms Reema Kashmiri, Vice Principal of Lady Engineer High School, remarked, “It was truly enriching for our students to witness a functioning robot demonstrated by fellow young students, which was quite impressive. The children from ABWA have excelled, presenting their work with remarkable clarity. As teachers, we thoroughly enjoyed the experience; it was both unique and novel. Witnessing the success resulting from the students’ dedicated after-school efforts was truly amazing.”

The batch of 30 students from various schools will have the unique opportunity to utilize the cutting-edge facilities of Binary Bolts Labs, where they will receive training from ABWA students with extensive experience in robotics. These ABWA students have been part of the school’s Robotics team and have even participated in international FRC competitions. The training program that will be conducted by ABWA is designed to prepare students for participation in the FIRST Tech Challenge, one of the premier robotics programs organized by FIRST. Through this initiative, ABWA aims to encourage STEM education by empowering students to deepen their knowledge and skills in the field of robotics.

This initiative celebrates scientific progress and initiatives, fostering discussions on the integration of new technologies. The event at Aditya Birla World Academy exemplified this spirit of advancement. Parents were welcomed to explore the innovative Binary Bolts lab, a testament to the school’s dedication to promoting robotics. Additionally, introductory Robotics sessions were conducted for students in grades 6 to 10, aiming to nurture a keen awareness and enthusiasm for this field.

Prodipta Hore, International Initiatives Coordinator, Aditya Birla World Academy stated, “In our mission to create a collaborative learning environment, we aim to inspire the next generation of innovators and problem solvers. ABWA remains committed to nurturing a culture of scientific inquiry, innovation, and lifelong learning in students. ABWA began its robotic education program in 2020 with 28 students (all boys), and we are proud to announce that the number of girls participating in Robotics has surpassed the boys’ count. This achievement is a testament to our continuous push for STEM education. It’s important to note that our Robotics program at ABWA is not just about excelling in science, math, or robotics. We’ve designed it to support students in their overall development, providing opportunities in marketing, funding, business, and more, thus giving all the students the opportunity to be part of this exciting programme. We look forward to continuing our efforts to inspire and empower students to reach new heights of excellence, not only in STEM but also in diverse fields where they can excel.”