The FIRST®(For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition Team 624 (CRyptonite) recently collaborated with the Houston chapter of Sewa International on October 8 to organize a Science Day event at the Robert Shaw STEAM Center (RSC) to foster interest in science and technology among children. The event was devoted to youth involved in ASPIRE – a Sewa program that provides education and mentoring services after school for young refugees and immigrants.

Over 30 children arrived at the RSC to engage in numerous activities set up by the students of CRyptonite, ranging from robot demos and lab tours to mini-experiments that explored topics such as air pressure, force, and elasticity. The trip also included a presentation on robot design and testing to introduce the basic principles of robotics.

After the success of this event and a previous partnership involving robot demos in an underserved neighborhood, CRyptonite and Sewa look forward to future collaborations to help provide fun activities to ASPIRE and share the universal appeal of science.

“We hopefully plan on doing this for many more years to come,” CRyptonite President Alyssa Wu said. “It was amazing to see these kids all hyped over our science activities, and it’s really heartwarming to see our effect on their lives. I hope they continue to be this happy when working with science.”