Free robotics and graphic design courses offered to Ukrainian refugee children

On 1 April, free courses were launched for Ukrainian refugee children through a programme by Tekwill Academy Kids, which is an initiative of the National Association of ICT Companies (ATIC). The courses, which were attended by children and adolescents from Ukraine between ages 10 and 17, were Robo-Maker and Graphic Design. During these courses, the students studied the design and programming of robots, including design principles and basic tools to create quality images for digital media and print.

At the launch event, the children and their parents came to Tekwill Academy Kids, full of enthusiasm and a desire to learn new things. Most had previously attended similar courses in their hometowns.

A 14-year-old participant in the Graphic Design course: "My mother works as a volunteer at a refugee centre, and she heard there that trainings are being organized, so I decided that I needed such knowledge for my future. Knowing how to work with the computer is important for any profession."

A 13-year-old participant in the Graphic Design course: "I previously attended programming lessons. I think it's the profession of the future. It's useful but also very interesting. I'm from Odessa and now, because of the war, I'm in Chișinău."

The courses, which run for four to six weeks, are meant to help children develop skills in robotics, programming and design. The programme is also hosting summer camps for a duration of two weeks, along with different creative workshops that will support the children’s parents in gaining employment, taking part in professional development activities, finding volunteer opportunities, etc.

Children can choose from one of the following courses:

• Young Mechanic – For children ages 5 to 7, this course introduces students to urban transport, natural phenomena and the principles of mechanics.
• Milo – For children ages 7 to 9, this course goes over the basics of robotics and programming, including the creation and management of robots through writing code in visual blocks and starch language.
• Robo-Maker – Intended for children ages 10 to 12, this course involves designing and programming robots to achieve concrete tasks, with a gradual transition to learning the Python programming language.
• Graphic Design – For children and adolescents ages 12 to 17, this course dives into the principles of design and the basic tools needed to create quality images for use in digital media and print.
• Web Development – Suitable for children and adolescents ages 12 to 17, this course helps develop students’ programming skills to create dynamic websites through HTML, CSS and JavaScript.

Children and adolescents refugees also have the opportunity to enrol in summer camp sessions on art, English and sports/outdoor activities as well as skills development in robotics, programming, design, financial education, entrepreneurship and digital graphics.

The activities will be organized in Chișinău, Bălți, Cahul, Comrat and Hîncești, and children can be enrolled in the programme by filling out this form: form.typeform.com/to/BRE3ECFl.

The programme is part of the project "Creating opportunities for the economic resilience of women in local communities and women refugees from Ukraine," which is being implemented with the support of UN Women and funding from the governments of Japan and the United States.