As part of the ongoing educational series by the Invest in Young Talents initiative, and under the guidance of its founder, Dr. Eng. Khaldon Araffa, a special robotics workshop was held in Utrecht, the Netherlands, on May 15, 2025, at Star Lodge Utrecht, in collaboration with Welkom in Utrecht.
The workshop brought together talented young participants from various cultural backgrounds, including new arrivals to the Netherlands who speak different languages such as Arabic, Dutch, Spanish, English, Kurdish, and Turkish.
Supporting Multicultural Communities Through Technology and Education 🤖
The goal of this workshop was to support young newcomers from different countries by providing a free, interactive learning experience that enhances both their technical and language skills, while building a sense of belonging and confidence in their abilities. This event is part of a broader series taking place across European cities to promote safe, inclusive, and inspiring learning environments.
What Did the Students Learn?
Children aged 9 to 14 engaged in exciting, hands-on activities, including:
✅ A simplified introduction to robotics and programming
✅ Using the Mirte Robot as an interactive educational tool
✅ Programming with Blockly, a visual coding environment ideal for beginners
✅ Exploring sensors, motors, and smart system interactions
✅ Working in teams to solve challenges and boost creative thinking
Robotics as an Educational Tool ✨
The workshop used Mirte, an open-source educational robot developed at TU Delft, to introduce technical concepts in a tangible, engaging way. Through this tool, children were able to connect theory with real-world applications in a fun and motivating format.
The "Start from the End" Learning Method
As with all workshops by the initiative, we applied the "Start from the End" approach—where participants first see the final result (a fully functioning robot) and are then guided through the process of how it was built. This method stimulates curiosity, encourages analytical thinking, and helps children develop strong problem-solving and planning skills.
Gratitude and Acknowledgment
We extend our sincere thanks to Welkom in Utrecht for their continued support and valuable partnership, and to TU Delft for providing the Mirte Robot, which played a key role in the success of this workshop.
🚀 At the Invest in Young Talents initiative, we remain committed to empowering children and youth from diverse backgrounds through technology and innovation-based education—preparing them to shape a brighter future.