A robotics centre with a difference. Roboticist is Malaysia's only robotics centre using VEX Robotics, the leading kit that allows kids incredible creativity in their designs and programming. That said, it’s not just kids who will enjoy learning to design, build and programme a robot. The centre is open to anyone and welcomes all with an interest in this intriguing hobby that is turning up in many curriculums as a fun way to engage students in science and technology.
According to Managing Director Ilylia Kamaruzaman 'The problem with education worldwide is that most of us are still very conservative with the method of teaching – we use things like exams and memorisation. So most kids don’t know how things work in real life. They see diagrams and formulas. In the US, they’re trying to look for a new way to engage children to develop that interest in STEM. A simple example is gears. Kids have probably heard of gears in cars but how does that thing work in real life? They have no idea. Through our programme they get to experiment with the different sizes of gears and different gear ratios. There are formulas. There are calculations involved to make a good project using the gear. They hear about torque; they hear about force but how do those things work in real life? So this is where educational robotics comes in. It’s very hands on. They can keep designing; they can keep building until they are satisfied.’
Roboticist are also the country's sole licensee to RobotC, the C-based programming software by Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy. Using this software, even kids as young as 6 can get a start in programming, using a simplified version of language that is in use in industry.
With these tools in place, get set for some impressive feats from your kids. Drop in classes will allow children to come in and having fun assembling robots according pre-designed templates. However, kids who enrol in the longer term classes can learn the ins and outs of designing and building a robot, plus the rudimentaries of C-based programming.
Keep an eye on the Roboticist website and Facebook page for updates about classes and holiday workshops.