Learning Robotics & Programming as a Kid
Since I can remember, I have always been fascinated by technology. It all started when I was around 7 years old. I would accompany my grandfather to our family members' houses and fix their electronics, like the TV, radio, DVD player, and more. I remember the satisfaction and pride I felt when I successfully repaired something.
By the time I was 10, I began learning binary and basic programming. I wasn't exceptional at it — definitely not like those prodigies you hear about — I was just a normal kid who enjoyed tinkering with technology and learning new things.
However, when I think back to when my "career" truly began, it was around the age of 12. That's when I started learning about robotics and programming in earnest.
ROB9-16
When I was in 7th grade, the mother of one of my best friends, Rodrigo, worked at Instituto Superior Técnico University. She told him about a new initiative called ROB9-16, and he passed the information on to me. ROB9-16 is a robotics and programming club for kids aged 9-16, where university students from IST teach young enthusiasts how to program and build robots. You can learn more about ROB9-16 by clicking here.
I consider this the true beginning of my "career" because I started acquiring skills and knowledge that I still use today. The foundation of my expertise was built during my time at ROB9-16, where I learned:
- Block programming
- Robotics
- How to program in C/C++
- 3D modeling and printing
- Soldering
- Circuit design
- Telecommunications
- Electronics
- and much more
Below you can see a photo of mini Henrique in a ROB9-16 class, can you spot me (yes I had hair back then)?
The Butterfly Effect
It's fascinating to see the butterfly effect in action. The skills and experiences I gained at ROB9-16 directly contributed to my participation in various significant projects such as CanSat, Astro Pi, and Air Quality Monitoring Stations.
I joined the CanSat project because my teacher heard me talk about this robotics club and introduced me to another teacher who was forming a team for the CanSat competition. Following that, I participated in the Astro Pi project because of my involvement in CanSat. If it weren't for ROB9-16, I wouldn't have embarked on these projects or learned the things I know today.
Reflecting on this journey, it feels like everything is connected, a linear path that began with this robotics club. It was during my time at ROB9-16 that I truly realized my passion for technology and knew that I wanted to work with it in the future. Also if I wasn't close to Rodrigo Estrela (an AI genius), I would probably never have known about ROB9-16.
Looking back, I'm incredibly grateful for the experiences and the mentors who guided me along the way. ROB9-16 was the catalyst that sparked my love for technology and set me on my current path.
Final Thoughts
If you're a kid or a parent reading this, I encourage you to explore opportunities like ROB9-16. You never know where they might lead you or what passions they might ignite. It's never too early to start learning and discovering what you love. It doesn't need to be robotics or programming; it can be anything that excites you. The important thing is to learn useful skills and knowledge that might help you in the future. Remember to always explore, and never stop learning.