Students take pragmatic approach to robotics

Unlike some schoolboys, Yin Mingde is counting the days until he starts a new term in September at one of the leading schools in the capital, Beijing No 4 High School.

His eagerness for school is understandable, but it also owes a great deal to an after-school program that revealed the fascinating world of robotics to him.

The 12-year-old won the top prize for creative robotics design at the China Adolescent Robotics Competition in July for building a robot that could differentiate between the white and black pieces on weiqi, a Chinese board game.

His interest in robots was sparked after he joined an after-school program in a science and technology center in Xi'cheng district four years ago. As important as understanding the technical aspects was, such as sensor and gear transmission, he also learned by listening to other enthusiasts.

He is not alone in his fascination with robots, since the capital has consistently produced winners, especially in the past three years, ahead of other provinces and regions, at the China Adolescent Robotics Competition. In July, the Beijing team took 10 gold, four silver and two bronze medals.

According to the Beijing Association of Science and Technology, the success in the competition demonstrates the innovative ability of Beijing children.

A citywide robotics competition has been held in the capital annually since 2001. It is designed to inspire a spirit of innovation and cultivate an interest in science.

According to the association, the competition attracted more than 200,000 students each year from middle and primary schools, as well as academics and specialists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences who oversaw the competition.

Niu Qi, a teacher from the Xi'cheng science and technology center and Yin's coach, has been involved in the competition since 2002, and his students are regular participants.

"I can see kids have been changed by the robotics program," Niu said, adding that students are often more productive in school after joining the program.

"They can handle their schoolwork better," Niu said.

Students come up with creative ideas based on a theme and make the robots to fulfill the mission they have in mind, Niu said.

He cited Yin's work as an example.

"The 2014 theme was caring for seniors. Children brought their ideas based on their observation of the lives of their elders. Yin's work drew on his grandparents, who like to play weiqi."

Children have colorful imaginations, but the program helps instill a pragmatic approach by which problems can be analyzed and discussed, Niu said.

However, scientific training is a long-term process and patience is a vital requirement.

"It is unlike art, where students can dance and sing after a year or so. Training in robotics takes three to four years of hard work before progress can be seen," Niu said.