Fourth Graders Get to Know Cutting-Edge Technology: “It’s Pretty Amazing That a Robot Can Be Coded to Play Cross Zero”

The 4th grade of a Kuopio primary school got to enjoy a slightly different school day, when 23 students and two teachers arrived at the Microkatu campus of the Savonia University of Applied Sciences to familiarize themselves with the technology education offerings.

The young guests admired the 3D printing facilities, the Internet of Things robotics laboratory, and the XR Center, where the robotic cat proved to be a particular hit among the children. The coded robot hand was also enthusiastically received.

“I think it’s pretty amazing that a robot can be coded to play cross zero against a human” Naana Ampen comments.

“None of us won against it, the best was a draw” says Santeri Ikonen.

Technical fields seem to be of interest to many primary school students.

“I could become an architect one day, it seems like an interesting career” says Lily Adomako.

“Likewise, an architect or archaeologist” says Eveliina Matilainen.

Savonia’s lecturer and RDI Specialist, Rajeev Kanth’s own daughter is also a student at the school, and the idea of the visit was born at the school’s parents’ evening.

“Savonia does not only focus on its own higher education, but we also care about the primary schools around. Of course, at the same time, I want to wake up young people to think that technology could be an interesting career option” says Kanth, who has a published dissertation in the field of technology.

See the origical article in Finnish here.