Little KITEs revel in IT universe

Schoolchildren undergo special training at 2-day camps held in 14 districts

Students taking part in a training camp on advanced computer technologies in Palakkad.

More than 1,200 school students from across the State underwent special training in advanced computer technologies on Saturday and Sunday. They were given advanced skills in programming, electronics, and animation at the camps conducted by the Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE), formerly called IT@School.

The students (called Little KITEs) chosen for the two-day residential camps held simultaneously in the 14 districts were exposed to various advanced technologies, including making of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and 3D character modelling using FOSS (free and open software solution)-based 3D computer graphics.

“It was an amazing camp. Making animation characters on computer used to be my childhood fancy. This camp taught me how difficult it is to create an animation character,” said Ayirin Shabeer, a student from IKT Higher Secondary School, Cherukulambu.

The camps also focused on mobile app development (torch app, QR code scanner); electronic voting machines using Raspberry Pi electro brik; IoT device model that enabled operating lights and fans in a network using sound signals and text messages; and development of light applications App Inventor and PyQt servers for creating server. The students were also taught Python programming for creating the coding for electronic voting machines and IoT device models.

“I learned how to turn on lights by using LED and sensors. I am going to make a security system on my own for my house,” said Mohammed Anas, a student from PTM Higher Secondary School, Thazhekode.

3D models

The students made sensor-driven alarms, electronic voting machines, 3D animation of solar system, and 3D models of dining table, glass, cups, saucers, fruit basket, and dining hall.

“By incorporating the experiences from the camp, all students studying in the State syllabus will be given a chance to learn these domains as part of ICT education,” said K. Anvar Sadath, vice chairman and executive director of KITE.

He said a State-level camp for the selected students from the districts would be held in May.