Learning Robotics with One of the Coaches

Website Editor • December 14, 2021

On a Saturday morning in November, dozens of kids aged seven to 13 are signing onto a Zoom session with Go Green Youth Centre. Although Go Green has held many different programs for kids over the years, this year is different. There’s a new robotics program that has just begun and Mohid Sharif, one of the coaches, is leading the second day of classes.

Mohid is an enthusiastic coach. He knows what he is talking about and is clearly excited about robotics and computer programming in general. While it can be tricky to conduct these classes on Zoom, he and the two other coaches manage to pull it off.

About 50 to 60 kids in total participate, but they are broken up into smaller groups of eight to 10 across six classes. The robotics classes run throughout the day, with three dedicated coaches to lead them: Mohid, Hammad Siddiqui and Haider Ali.

After sitting in on three of these classes, I am impressed by how Mohid keeps the kids engaged and leads them through some beginner programming lessons on Scratch. As he teaches the students, I become curious about his own journey with robotics and Go Green Youth Centre.

“I actually attended the middle school that Go Green takes place in,” Mohid tells me, referring to Toronto’s Valley Park Middle School. He became interested in computer programming and robotics in high school where he took three programming and engineering courses and, in his final year, a robotics course. Currently, he is studying computer science and mathematics at the University of Toronto.

Mohid explains the program he is coaching which is intended to teach the students the fundamentals of robotics and will be taught in stages. The first stage focuses on coding in different programming languages, mainly Python, Java and C++. The next stage will be computer engineering which is where the participants will learn skills more closely related to robotics. This will set up the final robotics stage where students learn about creating machines with Arduino and Lego (which uses Lego building blocks).

The end goal is for students to be able to create simple computer programs in the different programming languages taught. They will also examine and create computers, machines and, ultimately, robots.

While Mohid misses the ability to provide one-on-one guidance to the students, which is impossible via Zoom, the students still ask questions and benefit from not having to commute or travel to participate. Students can take part who may not have been able to attend in person. It also offers an exciting way to teach kids new, sought-after skills while giving them a fun, structured weekend activity at home.

Mohid, for his part, loves being a coach. “I enjoy being able to teach kids about what I am passionate about,” he says. He explains how fun it is to create unique games with them every week while getting them interested in computer programming and robotics. He is especially excited by the prospect of some of these kids developing a similar passion for robotics. “Many decide at this early age that this is what they want to pursue,” he says.

The kids certainly seem to enjoy the classes, with several asking frequent questions throughout and one little girl happily showing off the shark-eating-fish game she made. Seeing the pride the students take in their work when they successfully complete a lesson makes it all the more worthwhile.

Mohid is looking forward to coaching for the next several months and is preparing for next week’s lesson: learning Python. Perhaps, he is setting some of these kids on a new path, such as a lifelong interest in robotics that could begin the journey of NASA’s next engineer.

Gillian Brandon-Hart

Further inquiries:

info@gogreenyouthcentre.ca

GGYC Summer 2024 Closing Ceremony Celebrates a Season of Success

By Kenzie Kash • August 27, 2024

On the final day of summer camp, GGYC threw a fantastic Summer 2024 Closing Ceremony to celebrate the amazing achievements and fun times of the past few months. The day was filled with a mix of reflection, entertainment, and togetherness. The celebration kicked off as campers arrived at GGYC and were greeted by the first slideshow video, which showcased some of the summer's most memorable moments. Michael Ma, Chief Operating Officer & Director Of Community Wellness, gave an inspiring speech, setting a positive tone for the day. He described GGYC as, "A place where you feel safe, have fun, and make new friendships or strengthen friendships you already have." Next up was Talha Malik, Executive Director, who shared his own heartfelt reflections on the summer. Afterward, campers enjoyed a second slideshow video, showcasing more of the summer's fun activities and shared successes, bringing laughter and joy to the event. The event then moved outdoors where campers and staff gathered for a barbecue, with an ice cream truck adding a sweet touch. There were also bouncy castles, inflatable slides, carnival games and face painting, creating a lively atmosphere where everyone could unwind and have fun after a busy summer. As the day continued, several staff members shared their summer experiences. Shahnaaz Eqbal summed up her time as a counselor with three words, "Amazing, surprising, loving," perfectly capturing the GGYC's spirit. Mohammed Deshmukh from Eco Arts reflected, "This is a full circle moment for me. On the Go Green website, there's a photo of me as a camper at the African Lion Safari. That's one of my biggest takeaways from being here this summer. The kids here may not notice it yet, but they're going to grow with Go Green." Zain, a Leader in Training (LIT), added, "This summer has been a huge success, not just for myself but for Go Green as a whole. I think we had an amazing summer camp this year." The event wrapped up with a cake-cutting ceremony, providing a final shared moment that symbolized the camp's efforts to create lasting memories and offer a fitting end to the season. The GGYC Summer 2024 Closing Ceremony was a joyful and successful event, marking the end of a summer full of growth, friendship, and unforgettable experiences that perfectly reflected the core values and mission of GGYC.