Children learn art of recycling; make robots

Children at the Sharjah Reading Festival try to create new things out of used material.

Children were given the chance to become mini-engineers of the future at a unique robotics workshop held at the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival (SCRF), which is currently underway at Expo Centre Sharjah.
The youngsters participating at the event received instruction on how to build robots out of recyclable material, with the aim of helping them to see how technology can be successfully incorporated with sustainability for a bright future.
The workshop taught children what can be considered 'technology' and what cannot be, in addition to showing them that creating technology isn't something restricted to advanced facilities but can be conducted by individuals in their own homes.
A main component at SCRF 2016's robotics workshop taught the children how to recycle things that they have at home, so instead of throwing them out they can use them to create their own mini technological projects.
Another workshop organised at SCRF 2016 was 'GrandPa's iPad.' The scenario for this activity sees the character Louna's grandpa sad because Louna is travelling.
To make him feel better, she informs him that she will buy him an iPad to be able to communicate with him when she's away.
The problem is that grandpa has never come across an iPad before, so during the workshop children showed him how to use it, discussing its input, its output and its processor.
Children attending the second workshop are also taught about cyber safety and the importance of having a password for when using technology such as the iPad and Skype, with an emphasis placed on how personal data can be at risk.
The activity ends with the participants speaking live to Louna who simulates being in a remote city.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Sharjah