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2023 Barbados Junior Robotics Camps

The Barbados Junior Robotics Camps (BJRC) are annual summer enrichment programs for young Barbadian students interested in robotics. The BJRC are conducted by the CSF in partnership the UWI Cave Hill Campus.

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All five camps will run in parallel. The Camps will begin on Tuesday 18 July 2023 and conclude on Friday 18 August 2023 with lab clean up, followed by the awards and certificate presentations. The highlight will be the Students’ Public Showcase of their robots in action on Thursday 17 August 2023. The month-long camps will run Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, except for holidays on the Campus of UWI, Barbados.

The Levels I & II Camps – The Beginners

Levels I & II are for children who have little or no previous STEM, programming, or robotics experience. Level I students are at least 10 and less than 13 years of age, while Level II students are at least 13 and less than 15 years of age by July 1, 2023.

The aim of the Levels I & II camps is to introduce STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) concepts to children in the above-mentioned age range. While no previous experience in robotics is required, the camp is targeted at children who are passionately interested in science and technology. Students at the upper end of the Level I age range who progress rapidly may be promoted to the Level II Camp after two weeks in Level I. However, after enrollment, the CSF reserves the right to shift students to the Level that is most appropriate for them. The Camps will run from 18 July to 18 August 2023 on the Campus of UWI, Barbados.

The Levels IIIA & IIIB Camps – The Creators

The Level III Camp is open to students who have some robotics experience, and who are at least 13 and less than 19 years of age by July 1 of the year of the Camp. Level IIIA is for students between 13 and 15 years of age. Level IIIB is for students between 16 and 19 years of age. The same syllabus is followed in both camps. However, after enrollment, the CSF reserves the right to shift students to the Level that is most appropriate for them.

Level III comprises a mix of classroom teaching, and hands-on building, programming and the use of micro-controllers. Through these curricula, the students employ basic principles from physics, learn engineering design principles, enhance their computer programming skills, and explore examples of how science and math are applied to robotics and engineering. Level III campers are expected to follow along with the camp content outside camp hours for the duration of the camp. This includes homework and personal study/research requiring approximately 2 hours per night (weekends included).

Level III focuses on both “teleoperated” and fully “autonomous” robots, that require a substantial amount of computer programming. For example some Level III robots could involve the use of AppInventor, and Arduino kit robots. Campers will learn to document their program-algorithms using standard practices, and work with maps for navigation. The goal is to design and/or build robots that can robustly run a sophisticated obstacle course from a random starting point without human intervention; primarily through the use of “feedback-driven” action sequences created using “text-based” programming tools and complex sensors.

Level III applicants must: (1) demonstrate that they have the STEM, programming or robotics experience to handle the challenges that will be encountered and (2) have a favorable review from their former coaches, and/or teachers/Principal.

Level III Camp Input Standard

Students entering the Level III Camp must have experience with:

    • Basic/advanced icon-based programming (e.g., Scratch/Blockly)
      • create, save, run and debug an icon-based programme
      • basic constructs (variables, types, conditional statements, loops, sign/direction)
      • modular/procedural routines in projects
      • implementation of Artificial Intelligence
    • A Robot Programming Environment (e.g., ModKit/Blockly/EV3)
      • create, save, run and debug a robot program
      • load software onto Robot using a serial/USB link
      • run a standalone program on the robot
      • run multiple and multi-goal standalone program(s) on the robot
    • A Robot Kit (e.g., VEX IQ)
      • use robot parts from programming environment
        • binary output (e.g., buzzer/LED),
        • analogue output (e.g., drive, servo, motor),
        • binary sensor (e.g., touch sensor),
        • analogue sensor (e.g., light sensor)
      • follow build instructions to produce a frame
        • identify construction parts
        • manipulate connect and disconnect parts
        • read and interpret construction drawings
      • create construction drawings using provided parts using CAD tools
      • test and compare different robot designs (simulated/built)
    • A Robot competition
      • navigate a maze autonomously or using teleoperation
      • achieve a block-collection task autonomously or using teleoperation
      • achieve a line-following task and/or ball-manipulation task autonomously
      • achieve a multi-goal task autonomously

  • Specific STEM concepts
    • science: motion, physics of electricity
    • technology: batteries, communication protocols + information coding/transmission algorithms, multimeters, network algorithms
    • engineering: gripper and fasteners and proportional control
    • maths: binary numbers, average, units, basic geometry and shapes, vectors
  • Experience/familiarity with the use of measurement tools
    • Protractor, ruler, scale

Graduates of a previous CSF Level II Camp are expected to have met all these criteria.

The Level IV Camp – The Innovators

The Level IV Camp is open to persons who are at least 15 and less than 19 years old on July 1 of the Camp year. The lower age requirement of 15 years is imposed because Level IV requires the use of power tools, and safety is our major concern (no exceptions).

The goal of the Level IV Camp is to design and build fully “autonomous” robots that can address a contemporary problem, primarily through the use of “feedback-driven” action sequences created using programming tools along with simple sensors. The Level IV students are given a set of random parts, and they use 3-D printers to create custom parts as needed for their design. Level IV students must build their robots from scratch, and the robots must employ micro-controllers and a high-level programming language. That is, Level IV campers are expected to design and build their own robots without the use of off-the-shelf kits. Their designs must employ Arduinos and/or Raspberry Pi’s. Preferred programming languages are Python and C++. The use of AI and machine-learning algorithms is encouraged.

Through these curricula, the students employ basic principles from physics, learn engineering design principles, enhance their computer programming skills, and explore examples of how science and math are applied to robotics and engineering. Level IV campers are expected to follow along with the camp content outside camp hours for the duration of the camp. This includes homework and personal study/research requiring approximately 2 hours per night (weekends included).
Level IV applicants must: (1) demonstrate that they have the STEM, programming or robotics experience to handle the challenges that will be encountered and (2) have a favorable review from their former coaches, and/or teachers. Level IV Campers will be expected to work in a safety-conscious manner when using hand and power tools, and to document both builds and algorithms using standard practices.

Level IV Camp Input Standard

Students entering the Level IV Camp should have experience with:

    • Basic/advanced icon-based programming (e.g., Scratch/Blockly)
      • create, save, run and debug an icon-based programme
      • basic constructs (variables, types, conditional statements, loops, sign/direction)
      • modular/procedural routines in projects
      • implementation of Artificial Intelligence
    • A Robot Programming Environment (e.g., ModKit/Blockly/EV3)
      • create, save, run and debug a robot program
      • load software onto Robot using a serial/USB link
      • run a standalone program on the robot
      • run multiple and multi-goal standalone program(s) on the robot
    • A Robot Kit (e.g., VEX IQ)
      • use robot parts from programming environment
        • binary output (e.g., buzzer/LED),
        • analogue output (e.g., drive, servo, motor),
        • binary sensor (e.g., touch sensor),
        • analogue sensor (e.g., light sensor)
      • follow build instructions to produce a frame
        • identify construction parts
        • manipulate connect and disconnect parts
        • read and interpret construction drawings
      • create construction drawings using provided parts using CAD tools
      • test and compare different robot designs (simulated/built)

  • A Robot competition
    • navigate a maze autonomously or using teleoperation
    • achieve a block-collection task autonomously or using teleoperation
    • achieve a line-following task and/or ball-manipulation task autonomously
    • achieve a multi-goal task autonomously
  • Specific STEM concepts
    • science: motion, physics of electricity
    • technology: batteries, communication protocols + information coding/transmission algorithms, multimeters, network algorithms
    • engineering: gripper and fasteners and proportional control
    • maths: binary numbers, average, units, basic geometry and shapes, vectors
  • Experience/familiarity with the use of one or more of the following machine-shop/workshop tool(s)
    • Drilling tools: Electric drill, rotary tools
    • Heat tools: Heat-gun, soldering irons
    • Sanding tools: Sander, sandpaper
    • Cutting tools: Saw, hacksaw, utility knife, wire cutters/strippers
    • Fastening Tools: Screwdriver, spanner, hex-keys, bench clamps
    • Bending Tools: Metal crimping, folding

Graduates of previous CSF Level II and Level III Camps are expected to have met all these criteria.

2023 Camp Application Requirements

Survey Form for Previous BJRC Campers

Please note that all current applicants who previously participated in a CSF Robotics Camp are required to fill out and submit the online survey for the last camp in which they participated, in order for their applications to be considered. This means that previous Level I – III campers from the 2015 – 2019 BJRC who wish to participate in the new 2023 Level I – IV Camps must fill out the survey for their last camp experience, if they have not already done so. The form can be accessed at the link below:
Online robotics camp survey.

Recommendation From a Teacher or Former Coach or Principal

Please note that all applicants must secure a recommendation from a science or math teacher, or a former robotics coach, or their Principal, as appropriate.

For Levels I & II
For Levels I & II, the recommendation form can be downloaded in .doc and .pdf formats from the link below:

BJRC 2023 Teacher-Principal Recommendation Form for Levels I & II (WORD)

BJRC 2023 Teacher-Principal Recommendation Form for Levels I & II (PDF)

This recommendation form should be printed out and given to the teacher or Principal for submission to the CSF before 11:59 pm EST on 09 July 2023. Alternatively, the teacher or Principal may download the form directly from the website. However, from the CSF’s perspective, the Camper is ultimately responsible for making sure the teacher or Principal gets hold of the form ans submits it by the application deadline.

For Levels III & IV
For Levels III & IV, the recommendation form can be downloaded in .doc and .pdf formats from the link below:

BJRC 2023 Coach-Teacher-Principal Recommendation Form (WORD)

BJRC 2023 Coach-Teacher-Principal Recommendation Form (PDF)

This recommendation form should be printed out and given to your previous robotics coach, or teacher or Principal for submission to the CSF before 11:59 pm EST on 09 July 2023. Alternatively, the coach, teacher or Principal may download the form directly from the website. However, from the CSF’s perspective, the Camper is ultimately responsible for making sure the coach, teacher or Principal gets hold of the form ans submits it by the application deadline.

Other Accompanying Application Requirements

Other documents you will need to submit for a complete application are:

  • Proof of Barbados or Caribbean citizenship
  • Parent/Guardian’s signature on Form A if camper is under 18 years of age
  • Either Parent/Guardian Consent form or Camper Media Consent form
  • Short essays – Dedicated spaces for these essays within the application form
  • A photograph of the Camper- (head and shoulders only in .jpg or .png format) for the student profile booklet

Camp Application Forms for Students

Before filling out any of the Camp application forms, please be sure to read the BJRC Camp Overview, as it should answer most of your questions. Levels I and II are now being offered again in 2023. The application deadline has been moved to 09 July 2023.. The application forms for all 4 levels are available in .doc and .pdf formats at the links below:

Levels I and II Camp Application Form:

BJRC 2023 Levels I and II Application Form.docx

BJRC 2023 Levels I and II Application Form.pdf

Level III Camp Application Form:

BJRC 2023 Level III Application Form.docx

BJRC 2023 Level III Application Form.pdf

Level IV Camp Application Form:

BJRC 2023 Level IV Application Form.docx

BJRC 2023 Level IV Application Form.pdf

Camp Fees

The CSF, through donations from its sponsors, bears almost all of the financial costs associated with the BJRC. However, parents/guardians are expected to contribute a camp participation fee of BD$ 400 per child for the entire month (reduced from BD$ 500 in 2019). For parents who are unable to pay the fee in full before the camp starts, the CSF can accommodate up to 4 weekly payments upon request. All campers receive a Robotics T-Shirt which must be worn at the Final Projects Showcase at the end of the Camp.
 

Camp Selection Criteria

The BJRC Admissions Committee is responsible for selecting the students. The Committee is comprised of a subset of the Robotics Camp Planning Committee and the Head Coaches. Because of budget and space limitations, the Committee will limit the number of participants in Levels III and IV to about 40 students in total depending on camp sponsorship.

The Admissions Committee will only consider complete applications that arrive before the application deadline, and the age limit for each camp and the citizenship (or the 2-year consecutive Barbados school attendance) requirement will be strictly enforced. Applicants that fail to convince the Committee that they have the adequate background and experience to handle the Levels III and IV work will not be admitted to the appropriate camp. It is important to note that participation in a previous BJRC camp does not guarantee a spot in the upcoming Level III or Level IV class.

For all camp levels, the Admissions Committee will rank applicants taking the following factors into consideration:

  • An assessment of the applicant’s technical background in STEM, programming and robotics based on the submitted materials, and the coaches’ evaluations, if the applicant was a previous camper
  • The strength of the recommendation from the teacher or Principal which is expected to include a statement about the STEM, programming and/or previous robotics experience of the applicant
  • The behavior of the camper in any previous CSF camps or workshops, if applicable. Campers who have been disruptive or disinterested will be given the lowest priority
  • The age of the applicant (older applicants will be given preference over younger applicants who have to option to re-apply in later years)
  • In the event where two or more applicants are equally ranked, and the number of such applicants exceeds the unfilled spots, a lottery system will be put in place to select the remaining successful candidates

Application Form for Coach Positions

The CSF is seeking qualified coaches who have the experience and can commit one month in the summer to help us run the two Levels of the camp. In some cases, half-time positions are feasible. The Coach Application Form can be downloaded in WORD or PDF formats from the links below:

BJRC Coach Application Form.docx

BJRC Coach Application Form.pdf

These positions carry a modest stipend. A signed contract with the CSF must be executed prior to employment. While BJRC coach applications are accepted at all times during the year, 2023 BJRC coach applications should ideally be submitted by 20 June 2023 as coach training begins on Saturday 24 June 2023.