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JEDDAH — The second edition of Peevees Robofest and Robotics exhibition was organized by New Al Wurood International School, Jeddah at two different campuses, for the boys and girls separately.
The program at girls’ school began at 8.00 a.m. Mrs. Sreedevi J.K, principal & asst. director – programs, welcomed the guests and gathered people. Ms. Maqdurah, supervisor from the MoE Girls wing, was the chief guest of the occasion. The guests of honor Ms. Bernadetta, Ms. Dina and Ms. Endra from the Public Education and Evaluation Commission, Poland, added to the grandeur of the ceremony.
The event at the boys’ school was held from 3.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. Vice Principal Peter Ronald delivered the welcome note. Dr. Aftab Ahmed, Asst. Prof. Pharmacology Dept. JCC, was the chief guest.
Robofest-2016 was a contest for grade 6-8 in which the participants showed off their autonomous robots while learning problem solving techniques, mathematics, logic, creativity, teamwork, physics, electronics, mechanics, mechatronics, and computer programming and technology.
The fest challenges student teams to design, build, remote control and program robots with the understanding and application of STEM (Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects.
What makes Robofest program unique is its modus operandi where students must fully program their robots to perform their missions without human assistance. No joysticks or remote controls are allowed. They must program their robots to accomplish assigned tasks within 15 minutes in a dynamic environment and make all decisions on their own during the competition.
Al Yasmin International School, Riyadh, Al Khozama International School, Dammam and the host School New Al Wurood International, Jeddah had a spirited participation and a fantastic display of their robotics skills. The quality of robots continues to grow each year, serving the ever-increasing interest in the event. It was, in fact, the survival of the fittings at the Peevees Robofest.
Peevees Group of Schools has the unparalleled legacy of pioneering the Robotics program in the KSA since 2011. It is a wonderful platform where students build and program their own robots in a fun filled way.
When the robot R2-D2 showed up in the Star Wars movies, a lot of people probably thought it would be well in the future before something like that became reality. Peevees schools prepare their students to restructure their thought processes. They understand that robots are no longer just useful machines. They live and they evolve.
In order to promote more creativity, Robofest had an open exhibition stage for autonomous robotics projects. Each team had complete freedom to create an autonomous robot. Participants in both the sections exhibited exciting robots such as robot landscape viewer, conveyor robot, heavy load mover robot, robot ATM, robot for vending chocolates, tax payer robot, quadruped robots, R. C car cleaner robot are a few to name. The supposed unknown missions of the robots student teams programmed were unveiled only on the day of the competition.
Speaking at the closing ceremony in his capacity as chief guest, Dr. Aftab Ahmed applauded the efforts of the Peeves schools to keep their students in the forefront of technological advancements. He especially praised the commitment of the students to get involved in this process at a very early stage to truly drive toward success. He urged the participants not to stop at this competition, but to keep taking risks, innovate and keep pushing the boundaries.
Mrs. Sreedevi J.K, said: “Our pupils have made remarkable achievements in the curricular and co-curricular domains. They have made us proud in the Robofest-2016. While we congratulate our pupils for the outcomes of the competitions, we must always remember that learning is equally important as the outcome itself. Robotics competitions and activities that challenge the pupils in both academic and extra-curricular domains are platforms for our pupils to develop their strength of character.”
One of the parents who visited the expo said, “It is pretty educational for the kids. My son is only 11 and he understands things about robots that I don’t.” He also said, “It is amazing what they are learning at such a young age.”
The event had a fantastic involvement of all the academic and administration departments of New Al Wurood. Parents joined them in making the robofest even bigger and better for the students. All the hard work put in by the event coordinator Syed Ismail of New Al Wurood fetched a handsome return.
The fabulous fest in the girls’ and boys’ campuses came to a close with the vote of thanks given by Ms. Bushra, vice principal administration, and Sunilkumar, HM, senior section respectively.
The results of the Peevees Robofest-16 held at NAWIS (Boys) are:
Winner: AI Yasmin, Intl School Riyadh Team 2: [P.J.Shaun (Class VIII); Abdur Rehman (Class VII); Srichand (Class VI)]
First Runner Up: Al Yasmin Intl School, Riyadh Team 1: [Zaid Ahmed (Class VIII); Neeraj Eswaran (Class VII); Christopher Fernandes (Class VI]
Second Runner Up: New Al Wurood Intl School, Jeddah: [Hisham Ashraf (Class VIII); Musaad Mohd (Class VII); Ajay Samy (Class VI)]
Results in Girls section:
Winner: Team 6: Al Yasmin Intl School, Riyadh: [Ms. Zainab Abdullah (Class VIII); Ms. Athira Kavunkaran (Class VII); Ms. Fathima Samha (Class VI)]
First Runner Up: Al Yasmin Intl School, Riyadh: [Ms. Sara Kaleem Siddique (Class VIII); Ms. Salma Iqbal (Class VII); Ms. Salwa Iqbal (Class VI)]
Second Runner Up: Al Khozama Intl School, Dammam: [Ms. Heba Imran (Class VI); Ms. Reshma Gogy (Class VII); Ms. Jane Mariam Johnson (Class VIII)]. — SG
