Taiwan's project encourages schools to embrace innovative education through robotics

The project's goal is to provide innovative education for teachers and senior high school students.

Computer science teachers from 20 educational institutions have enhanced their qualifications at the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU), while teenagers from 71 schools have already participated in entrepreneurship and innovation camps. The project is ongoing, with another important component being the computerization of informatics classrooms in schools. Teachers, students, and organizers share how this process is unfolding.

"Schools, students, and teachers who adhered to the conditions of our project and attended the training are gradually receiving computer equipment or robotics kits. Depending on their needs – robotics or laptops – as well as projectors with screens. Forty-six educational institutions that participated in entrepreneurship camps have already received sets of modern equipment," said Ulyana Pak, the project coordinator for "Leave no one behind partnership."

"When we bring equipment to schools, we invite students to meet. So everyone knows that thanks to their efforts, the school received this technology. It is important to be active, engaged, and to use every opportunity. Additionally, we explain that this equipment and training are a gift from the people of Taiwan, who help us endure and develop the youth," summarizes the project coordinator. 

Recently, the Markiyan Shashkevych Secondary School No. 34 and the "Lviv" Lyceum of the Lviv City Council received 10 robotics kits each for their participation in the project.

"Now, there aren't many opportunities to equip schools with modern technology. We have two computer labs in our school, and we've been teaching robotics for three years. For elementary school, we purchased robot kits. Now, receiving 10 new modern sets, we can teach the subject to older students," said Olga Filipishina, the principal of Markiyan Shashkevych Secondary School No. 34.

The school is already implementing a social entrepreneurship project, where students make dried fruits. The entrepreneurship camp experience has expanded their understanding of business development.

"We developed the idea of an ethnic cafe with a jazz theme, while also being a public organization with its own youth center. If resources and opportunities arise, I would gladly implement this not only in Ukraine but also in other countries. It would be a place for Ukrainian youth to come and learn about Ukrainian culture. Each camp participant had their own unique ideas and direction," shared high school student Danylo Hrynko, who came to Lviv from Zaporizhzhia.

Danylo spent a year and a half abroad, in Spain, where he remembers how kids there studied robotics and worked with mini robots. They also programmed the chips of these robots to make them move in circles and perform different movements. He hopes that his Lviv school will also spark the interest of many students in this subject.

"I believe that additional training, such as what was offered at the entrepreneurship camps, outside of school, is a preparatory stage for everyone's future. Maybe someone will want to produce their own products or provide services. Or someone will want to create a business where they can do something and earn money for it. We don't know what awaits us, for example, tomorrow, or the day after. Getting such knowledge is very useful, and aside from knowledge, we also have a gift for the school – robotics," emphasized 10th grader Dmytro.

The "Leave no one behind partnership" project is implemented by the public organization "Ukrainian Democratic Forum" with support from Taiwan. The project is also supported by the member of the Ukrainian parliament Mykola Kniazhytskyi, who says that it is important to create comfortable and quality learning conditions for children in Ukraine, so that they can stay in the country and contribute to its economic prosperity and development.

"Robots are our 'superpower,' drones help us win on the front lines, in the air and at sea. It is crucial that children understand how technology works, how to build robots. Our Taiwanese partners are interested in us withstanding this war because otherwise, democracy and freedom worldwide will be under threat," said Mykola Kniazhytskyi. 

"Our joint project is distinguished by its complexity and versatility. The point is not just to distribute robots or computers but to engage children and teachers in collaborative work, in building communication networks, and in learning. We help those who succeed in learning to continue developing by providing them with computers and robotics. Most importantly, the children take part in joint projects with their peers from other schools and create an innovative development space that clearly has a future," he summed up.