Teenage students seek use of robots in learning

Roboglobal1

Toluwalase Agoro, to represent Nigeria at the FIRST Global Robots Olympics competition.

Toluwalase Agoro, to represent Nigeria at the FIRST Global Robots Olympics competition.

A group of teenage students on Wednesday appealed to the Federal Government to encourage the use of robots in learning to enhance technological advancement.

The group known as “Robo Teens, Nigeria”, in Lagos said that adequate use of robots in teaching and learning would enable Nigerian students to compete favourably internationally.

They added that adequate support for robotics will advance science and technology in Nigeria.

The seven secondary school students, led by 17-year-old Toluwalase Agoro, have been selected to represent Nigeria in the maiden edition of the FIRST Global Robots Olympics competition in Washington DC.

FIRST means “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology”.

Robotics is the science of automated devices used to replace live workers. It is concerned with design, construction, operation and use of industrial robots.

It incorporates many of the concepts used in artificial intelligence.

Agoro said that robotics had contributed greatly to the advancement of many countries, urging that Nigeria should not be left out.

“Robotics will make our country to move forward; that is why were are calling for government support.

“Developed countries are going into robotics, and are achieving greatness.

“The Federal Government should move forward in promoting science and technology in our schools,’’ she said.

Agoro said that members of the group team were excited to be selected to participate in the global competition.

“This is not the first time we are taking part in a robotics competition, though,” she said.

Another member of the group, Miss Tawakalitu Giwa, 15, solicited Federal Government’s support for the group’s excellence in the global competition.

“We desire to be motivated in order to boost our morale in making Nigeria proud.

“We will give our best to come first in the competition.

“I will not be intimidated by students from other countries,’’ Tawakalitu said.

Meanwhile, Mrs Remi Willoughby, Consultant, Roboglobal Educational Consulting, which is coordinating the group, told NAN that FIRST would not fund any local expenses for the tournament.

“To this end, we are asking for donors to support this project.

“Our goal is to raise N1 million to sponsor these students, defray their costs of training from January to July and arrange for their travelling documents,” she said.

Load more