Robotics pathway cleared to connect high school students with university studies 

Plans are underway to expand robotics education in Belize by creating a direct link between programmes offered in high schools and courses at the University of Belize. The University, Ministry of E-Governance, Belize Robotics Federation and VEX Robotics have begun discussions aimed at allowing students to advance their skills from the secondary level into university studies and technology-related careers.  Representatives of the four organisations met today to discuss connecting robotics, coding and engineering programmes offered in secondary schools with relevant courses at the University of Belize. The initiative is intended to ensure that robotics becomes more than a club or competition activity and instead provides students with practical skills and clear career options.  Belize Robotics Federation President Jamie Lee Usher has been deeply immersed in advancing robotics education. As a teacher, Usher says she is passionate about helping students turn an early interest in robotics into opportunities.  She also explained that robotics teaches crucial life skills, including problem-solving, teamwork, critical thinking, creativity and perseverance; skills that can benefit students regardless of the careers they eventually pursue.

Jamie Lee Usher, President, Belize Robotics Federation: “Students learn how to solve problems, work under pressure, communicate, collaborate, think critically and most importantly for me recover from failure and to keep improving until something works. Today I dated myself by giving the example of MacGyver, that popular TV show in the 80’s where he just used what was around him and he figured out a solution to the most urgent problems and these are the life skills we need. So whether a student becomes an engineer, a teacher, an entrepreneur or enters something entirely new this habits and that attitude will stay with them and that’s why I’m stronger than ever in building robotics into education because that matters. We are extremely pleased with the reception from the University of Belize and this is a real opportunity for the lense of robotics to be seen as an extra and seeing it as part of Belize’s education and workforce strategy. Our Belizean students are capable of doing this work and we want to be there to facilitate an early pathway. Our teachers are asking for training and we would love to have a direct line for them to go after high school. So we are extremely excited for this opportunity and we are excited to work with Vex Robotics, University of Belize and the Ministry of E Governance.”

The University of Belize has already introduced robotics into some of its programming and algorithms courses. It has also invested in competition equipment and is working towards establishing a university robotics team.  The proposed initiative would also include teacher training, curriculum development, student mentorship and greater participation by girls and young women. The partners are exploring possible courses and qualifications, subject to the University’s approval process.  The Ministry of E-Governance has provided robotics equipment to the Belize Robotics Federation and the University of Belize. It also intends to support training involving drones, sensors and automated systems.  Organisers say the long-term goal is to prepare more Belizeans to become engineers, programmers, technicians, teachers and innovators while using technology to develop practical solutions in areas such as agriculture, environmental monitoring, logistics and electronics.