SWAT: Students showcased their robotics skills in the form of functional models on the first day of the first-ever National Arduino Expo held here on Sunday.

The three-day event titled “Exhibit Your STEM Talent” aimed to introduce young students with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and robotics, was organised by SKOOL21, Pakistan, at the Research & Development Hall Mingora.

“Arduino is an open-source electronic platform enabling users to create interactive electronic objects. The main objective of the expo is to raise awareness among young students about using technology because this is the era of technology and robotics,” Fazal Hadi, an organiser, said, adding the developed world had already adopted the STEM and robotics in their educational institutions.

Zainab Bahadar, a STEM coach, said STEM and robotics were essential for students and must be incorporated in the existing educational curriculum in the country. “If we want to join the developed nations, we have to shift our focus from conventional education to STEM and robotics,” she said.

Based on arduino technology, most of the students developed their models to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. “We have developed an automatic water tap which will not only save us from water wastage but also help in stopping the spread of Covid-19.

When you put your hands just below the tap, water starts flowing automatically and stops flowing when you remove your hands,” a group of students having made the model, told Dawn.

Another group of students briefed the visitors on their project of automatic gas detector.

They said every year many lives were lost due to gas leakage. “The device we have developed will start sounding an alarm after detecting the presence of gases,” they said.

Two small girls, who developed a model to check the quality of water before drinking, said: “We have developed this PH sensor which can check the quality of drinking water. It will help people drink clean water and avoid polluted water.”

Students also showcased several innovative models, including automatic door opening, auto-waste bin, auto-drip irrigation system, emergency gas leakage detector, automated fire extinguisher, automatic floor cleaner, smart door security system, automatic sanitiser, water quality sensor, smart sticks and smart glasses for blinds, anti-face detector, bike automation system, smart power automation and many others.

Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2020