[i-TRIXX] Elektor Award - will this robot rescue the Flemish technical education?

 Sure! At least according to the creator of the robot. Bart Huyskens has been busy developing a number of robots that can be used for educational purposes, and he's noticed a significant increase of interest amongst students as a result of it.

The number of students has doubled in schools where robots are being used in science and technology classes, and the classrooms are filling up again!

This is good news for the Flemish Ministry of Education. A few years ago they started putting up Regional Technical Centres where, with government funding, education and companies work together on new initiatives, which are meant to attract students towards technical education. But it’s not just for students — teachers can get extracurricular classes on new technologies.

Bart is pressed with developing the robots. With the help of sensors they can speak to students, follow a pattern across classrooms, and play and dance to music — all of which keeps the techno-hungry crowd pleased. Thanks to Technical Centre funding there are now 14 robots available for use to the students of St. Joseph Institute in Schoten, and two more will start touring with the TechnoTrailer vehicle.

The students will be able to program the robots for different kinds of utilities. The robot itself runs on E-blocks technology and speaks Flowcode, but is fluent in Flemish as well.

Bart's enthusiasm has played a big part in the success of the robots. Over the past couple of years he has developed the concept, managed to sell it and make a full-fledged product. More importantly: he has managed to kindle an interest in electronics within new groups, and that's certainly Worth an Award!

Bart Huyskens is hereby nominated for the Elektor Foundation Award 2009. The award ceremony will take place during the Elektor Live! event on November 21, 2009 in Eindhoven, The Netherlands.

Wisse Hettinga