Tech is all the rage and these students are on their way to becoming total pros in the industry. Here we highlight some of Shanghai's most tech-obsessed students to find out what it is they love so much about the subject.
What field of technology do you concentrate on?
I am currently studying about coding robots. In this class we also get to learn about LEGO mindstorm and how robots interact with people and their surroundings. This last year my dad and I have been working on Raspberry Pi (a microcomputer) along with environment sensors. From time to time, I also experiment with small drones and mobile app-controlled robots.
What do you love most about technology?
You can create almost anything if you have the right materials, focus, knowledge and attitude. There are already robots made in the world, some big or small, simple or complex, humanoid or animal-like. Or, maybe there are new robots waiting to be built. Some robots might help you, like robotic limbs or some are for fun like, drones.
What are your favorite technology products?
I personally like drones (especially from Parrot) and robots. I like Parrot because they are quite amazing and can be planes, quadcopters and mini-drones.
Who do you admire most in the technology field?
My dad, because he is the reason that I like tech. We started off by doing projects with the Raspberry Pi sensors and LEDs, and we also watch a lot of those Best Gadgets of 2017 videos together. We share a love for gadgets; he buys Xiaomi products and places them around the house – they're very useful for checking home AQI. We work well as a team. Once I created a ‘Parent Detector’ using the Raspberry Pi, a camera and motion sensor. Whenever my parents came into my room, the Pi would capture a photo.
Have you ever entered a competition?
My Tiger robotics partner and I created a control board for the EVE3 Mindstorms robot. We battled our way through the tournaments and semi-finals to win the Tiger Robotics Robo Cup. My partner was so happy he kept telling everyone, “We won, we won, we won!”
Would you like to pursue a career in technology in the future?
No, because my other passion is paleontology. Although, paleontology in the future may use techno tools – like a super brush that actually is a vacuum to suck dust out of a fossil, powered by the dust it sucks up, or a hover board that comes with a hook to make lifting stuff easy. I would really like to see this happen in the future. The idea of pioneering technology for paleontology could be the best combination for applying my two passions.
How do you think technology is viewed by most students?
My friends think it is sometimes useful for getting the computers back in order, and also it’s fun changing Google’s search display into funny phrases or making the screen go upside down (like most classmates can do.) Technology also helps us in projects that need internet research and doing homework digitally. Being connected with classmates and friends online is also useful.
Haeyshna Aravind is in Grade 5 at Western International School Shanghai.
