Doha: An innovative robotics course that builds on critical thinking and sharpens problem-solving skills is now open to students in the Academic Bridge Programme (ABP).
The course fits perfectly within the mission of ABP, part of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, as it helps students develop the academic and personal skills they need to meet university admission requirements.
This year, 67 students from ABP were admitted to Qatar Foundation's branch campuses.
Alia Khairat, ABP Student Services Officer, explained that it was crucial to find new ways to develop student capabilities. The idea for the course developed when a robotics club proved extremely popular among ABP students, particularly those planning to study engineering and computer science at university. Kim Tresohlavy, an instructor in the computer department, is looking forward to teaching the course and training pupils to become independent thinkers.
The course will be open to a maximum of 16 students each semester, each of whom must negotiate a rigorous selection procedure.
Accuplacer scores will be considered, assessing reading, writing, mathematics and computer skills, and every candidate will also be personally interviewed.
ABP students who qualify will take the robotics course in addition to their normal study load, which includes English, science, maths and computers. However, the class is designed to take students through the process of robotics incrementally.
Initially, course students will receive an introduction to robotics and learn to classify different kinds of automated machines. They will then build a robot based on visual instructions, and ultimately design one to perform various functions using the LEGO Mindstorms NXT software programme.
© The Peninsula 2012
