Barbados Junior Robotics Camps (BJRC): Overview

Introduction

The Barbados Junior Robotics Camps (BJRC) are annual summer enrichment programs for young Barbadian students (and certain non-Barbadian students) interested in robotics. The BJRC are conducted by the CSF in partnership the UWI Cave Hill Campus. The BJRC are offered at 4 levels for students between 10 and 19 years of age, The aim of the day camps is to introduce basic technology and engineering concepts to children. The typical student who is admitted to the Camp is curious about how science works in his/her environment, is interested and eager to acquire knowledge in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), performs consistently well at school in science and mathematics subjects, and enjoys hands-on work.

Students from low-income households and girls are encouraged to apply. The aim is also a balanced class of 50% girls and boys. BJRC generally runs from mid July to mid August. Students apply directly to the CSF for admission, but a recommendation from their science, or maths teacher, or previous robotics coach, or principal is required. At the camps, students participate in team-based projects in a fun environment, supervised by several coaches.

Above Video of the BJRC 2019 Showcase, courtesy of Mr. Burkley Lowe, Media Resource Department,
Barbados Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training

All four Levels expose campers to practical experiences which build confidence, social, communication, conflict resolution, and team-working skills. Practical camp experiences include: personal development sessions, brainstorming/critiquing a robotic technology solution, observation and operation of robotic technology (via video and demonstrations), and design-build-test of custom mechanisms. Teamwork is an essential skill that is emphasized in all the camps, and its value is highlighted.

The program culminates with student project demonstrations in which each team first gives an oral presentation of their hands-on project before demonstrating the workings of their project. These final demonstrations are open to the public. The camps are hosted on the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies (our partner). Certificates of camp completion are awarded on the last day of the camp.

Benefits to the Region

The CSF is committed to assisting with the enhancement of STEM education reform in the Region, and these Robotics Camps are consistent with the CSF’s primary goals of: (a) helping to increase the numbers of Caribbean students pursuing advanced degrees in science and engineering, (b) helping to diversify the economies of the Region, and (c) helping to stimulate more technology-based entrepreneurship within the Region, thereby raising the standard of living of the people.

The broader vision for the Robotics Camps is that:

  • STEM-focused activities like these camps will improve awareness and create and ignite passion in our young people
  • The growing interest in robotics will spawn the formation of after-school robotics clubs across the Caribbean
  • Eventually, robotics will make its way into the general curriculum in all schools in the Region
  • The youth who participate in such camps will have a head start in joining the technology-competent workforce of the future
  • A fraction of the graduates from our camps will go on to create new globally-competitive technology industries that will help to diversify the economies of the Region
  • More Caribbean students will become skilled enough to compete with other youngsters in international robotics competitions
  • Some of the teams formed in the BJRC will go on to compete in the Caribbean STEM Olympiads (CSO), which are held in January each year. More information about the STEM Olympiads can be found here

Summer 2024 Camps and student Application forms

Details of the 2024 camp and the student application forms are at https://caribbeanscience.org/barbados-junior-robotics-camp-2024/
 


Eligibility Criteria for Children who are Non-Barbadian Citizens

Children who are not citizens of Barbados may be considered for admission to the Camp if space is available in the appropriate Camp level, and they meet one of the following conditions:

  • The child holds citizenship (other than Barbadian) in a CARICOM or CARICOM-Associate Country and the parents can take care of housing, meals, travel and all other living expenses for the child while the child is in Barbados for the 5 weeks of the Camp. (submit proof of citizenship with application).
  • The child does not hold Caribbean Citizenship, but at least one parent has been legally stationed in Barbados for employment purposes for one or more consecutive years (submit proof with application). This category has the lowest priority for admission, and if such students are admitted, the non-CARICOM-citizen fee of US$ 1,000 must be paid at the time of registration.
  • Barbados Junior Robotics Camp 2019

    Above Barbados giving a talk and demo of drone technology and applications to the Barbados Junior Robotics camp at the University of the West Indies.

    Classrom discussions, questions & answers, hands-on the equipment and an outside demonstration of modes and features.

    Always amazing the level of knowledge, interest and enthusiasm from the kids!

    Posted by Above Barbados on Friday, August 2, 2019

     

    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, BJRC coach applications should ideally be submitted by 01 May each year as coach training begins in early June each year.
     

    History: Humble Beginnings

    The Barbados Junior Robotics Camps were inspired by a group called the CSF Volunteers for Barbados. The first BJRC was held in 2015 and served 20 Level I students. The video clip below was made by Mr. Hallam Hope, a member of the Robotics Camp Planning Committee, and it shows the students at work in the inaugural 2015 camp.


    In 2016, a Level II was added, and in 2017 a special Level IIA was added to the existing Levels I and II. In 2018, a new Level III camp was offered as a pilot, as well as Level IIA (formerly Level II) and Level IIB (formerly Level IIA). In 2019, we again offered four levels of the Camp, renamed Levels I – IV, where Level IV was the same as the 2018 Level III. The 2019 camp served 65 students. Unfortunately, the 2020, 2021 and the 2022 camps had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    Robotics Camp Sponsorship and Partners

    The Camps make use of the facilities of the UWI Cave Hill Campus, as part of the partnership between the CSF and UWI. Major expenses for Levels III and IV include: (1) purchase of the VEX Robotics Kits (inclusive of software), (2) stipends for 8 facilitators, (3) miscellaneous electronics, mechanical, and robotics parts for Level IV, (4) tools, materials and equipment for building the robots and the competition platforms, and (5) Arduinos, Raspberry Pi’s, and specialized software.

    Please contact Prof. Cardinal Warde at warde.csf@gmail.com or at 1-617-699-1281 if you (or your organization) are willing to assist.

    The Institutional Camp sponsors by year are listed below:

    2015

    • The Barbados Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Human Resource Development
    • The City of Bridgetown Credit Union

    2016

    • The City of Bridgetown Credit Union
    • The Barbados Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Human Resource Development
    • The Central Bank of Barbados
    • MASA (Medical Air Services Association)

    2019 Barbados Junior Robotics Camp
    As a Proud Sponsor of the C.S.F Barbados Junior Robotics Camp, we wanted to give you a little insight on what really goes on at the camp and also a quick interview with one of our C.A.R.E.S Members Nyah Briggs- Blenman who is now at Level 2 at the camp.
    Posted by C.O.B Co-Op Credit Union Ltd. on Wednesday, July 31, 2019

    2017

    • The City of Bridgetown Credit Union
    • The Central Bank of Barbados

    2018

    • The City of Bridgetown Credit Union
    • The Central Bank of Barbados
    • Emera Caribbean
    • Sagicor Life
    • Archer Daniels Midland Co.

    2019

    • The City of Bridgetown Credit Union
    • The Central Bank of Barbados
    • Emera Caribbean
    • Sagicor Life
    • Archer Daniels Midland Co.

    2023

    • The City of Bridgetown Credit Union
    • The Central Bank of Barbados
    • Archer Daniels Midland Co.
    • The Maria Holder Memorial Trust
    • Sagicor Life

    Partners
    The CSF remains exceedingly grateful to its partner:

    • UWI‐Barbados (Cave Hill Campus)

    Supporting the Barbados Junior Robotics Camps
    Here is the link to a promotional fundraising video, also made by Mr. Hallam Hope. We would be most appreciative of your support.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdhhP-7W_E8.