Students of eight lyceums of Moldova will be able to learn to create and program robots at optional lessons. On January 12, the eight institutions received robotic equipment donated within the Roboclub Project that is implemented by USAID in partnership with the Ministry of Education, IPN reports.

Acting deputy minister of education Nadia Cristea said that this project will offer the children new opportunities to develop their creativity, critical thinking and innovation capacity. The beneficiaries of the project were selected at a contest that involved over 80 national education institutions.

In the end, there were chosen by two lyceums based in Chisinau and in Balti and by one lyceum from Soroca, Drochia, Cimislia, and Anenii Noi. These received by seven sets of LEGO Mindstorms EV3 robots, by three sets of additional parts and software license for training work.

Director of the Balti-based Lyceum “Vasile Alecsandri” Elena Ungureanu said that within the robot clubs the students will be able to improve their skills and to thus present themselves better at local and national competitions. “We hope the students of our lyceum will take an active part in the municipal and national creative activities, including Olympiads and contests,” she stated.

USAID Moldova senior project management specialist Sergiu Botezatu said that by this project they aim to create an infrastructure in Moldova, where each child who wants will be able to build a career in the ICT sector, regardless of the place of residence or the financial possibilities of the family.

Currently, Roboclub is implemented at 9 education institutions and at the Center for Children and Youth “Artico”.