Fulbright Alumnus Teaches High-Tech to Young Minds

Atheer and his team introduce students to robotics concepts

I started Kids and Codes in October 2015 as a voluntary initiative that was sponsored and funded by the Fulbright Alumni Community Action Grant. This grant allowed me to start a small workshop to teach kids about robots and the concepts of coding. Our mission is to promote the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields to children, and especially girls. Our first workshop was very humble, and the goal was to measure the learning process of children and understand how they will interact with robots. However, the early feedback from kids and parents was so positive that it pushed us to continue with the project and serve even more children. To date, my team of technology and engineering professionals has hosted ten workshops in different locations throughout Iraq.

The robot testing phase

Workshops begin with a short presentation on the history of robotics and then finish with hands-on robotics work. I have found that working with children is incredibly fun. I see them running around asking each other questions, and sometimes arguing. They ask my team many technological questions, some of which are tough to answer. For example, when I was explaining the surgical robot, Da Vinci, one of the students asked, “what if the robot breaks, who will take over while we have a patient under operation?” Unsurprisingly, we found that we need to prepare well for children’s workshops because they will ask questions that are debatable and deep. It’s best to be prepared!


Kids and Codes would not be possible without Fulbright. Apart from the financial support my team received, the very idea of Kids and Codes crystalized in my mind when I was in the States and had the opportunity to visit several organizations that run similar projects. We think that the Kids and Code’s mission is not only limited to teaching coding to children, but we also aim to introduce scientific concepts to the Millennial Generation by using out-of-the-box tools and methodologies. As a Fulbrighter, I studied engineering, so I always try to emphasize that field in our workshops. We are in the stage of finding a permanent place so that we can establish a science club in my city, which will probably the first of its kind in Iraq. Our long-term goal is to extend our activities beyond coding concepts to also cover subjects such as physics and biology.

 

The Kids and Codes project is now in its second year and has taught more than 100 Iraqi children the basics of coding. To learn more about this exciting project, and to remain up-to-date on the latest workshop news, visit the group’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kidscodes/

Engaging with Fellow Fulbright Alumni: My Experience at the Fulbright Alumni Regional Conference on Natural Resources

 Fulbright alumnus Abderrahmane before his presentation on the benefits of piezoelectricity, a clean way of generating electricity using mechanical pressure

Attending conferences has always provided me with new ideas and perspectives, but participating in the Fulbright Alumni Regional Conference on Natural Resources in Cairo, Egypt from December 4-6, 2016 was particularly beneficial. As a participant, I had the chance to network with an amazing group of Fulbright alumni who work in fields as diverse as meteorology, renewable energy and architecture. Conversing with these Fulbrighters and learning from their research was a wonderful personal and professional experience for me.

Nataly, another Fulbright alumna attending the conference, shares her research on fighting cancer using plant-based compounds

The research presentations I listened to were rich in information and insightful. For example, from one presentation, I learned about a new method of treating cancer by using organic chemical compounds. I was also introduced to the presenter’s admirable Alumni Community Action Grant project, Pink Steps Lebanon, which helps breast cancer survivors live a healthy lifestyle. This part of the conference broadened my perspective on how to contribute to society, and it gave me a better idea of the types of projects funded by the Fulbright Alumni Community Action Grant. Through yet another presentation, I was amazed to learn that the cheapest solar installation on record is in Abu Dhabi, a byproduct of that city’s expansion of renewables. For my presentation, I was able to draw on the knowledge I gained as an Electrical Engineering student at the University of Arkansas. I spoke to the group about the benefits of piezoelectricity, which is a clean way of generating electricity using mechanical pressure.

Abderrahmane and fellow Fulbright alumnus Adnan meet before the conference

 

In addition to the engaging academic atmosphere, the conference was also a fantastic Fulbright networking opportunity. For example, I talked with an alum who spoke three languages with a perfect accent and full proficiency. That was amazing! I also met a Fulbrighter who is a very successful author and blogger. That conversation inspired me to start writing about topics that I am passionate about. Overall, the Alumni Conference gave me the opportunity to learn from successful, dedicated professionals in the field of Natural Resources. This was a unique growing experience because it provided me with valuable insight into how others have learned to follow their passions.

 

Abderrahmane is an alumnus of the Fulbright Foreign Student Program. He graduated in 2016 from the University of Arkansas where he earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering.