Taking Robotics Beyond the Lab: Inspiring Next-Gen Innovators
Hands-on Humanoid Robotics, Autonomous Demonstrations, and STEM Education for Rural School Students
Institution / Host
Gulhouse International School System
Location
Village Chowkhandi, District Talagang, Punjab, Pakistan
Duration / Timeline
Hands-on Workshop & Live Demonstration
Collaboration & Support
Supported by Eureka Robotics Centre, Cardiff Metropolitan University & British Council
Event Photography & Field Records
Click any photo to enlargeTaking intelligent systems beyond university walls.
As part of the PIE (Pakistan-UK Education Partnership) Project, the Educational Robotics Lab (SEECS NUST) conducted a specialized robotics and STEM workshop for school students at Gulhouse International School System in Village Chowkhandi, District Talagang.
The goal was to take cutting-edge robotics hardware out of advanced academic research labs and into community schools, providing young students with early, direct exposure to interactive robotics, autonomous machines, and engineering fundamentals.
Along with fellow interns Fahad Ali and Farhad Khan, under the supervision of Dr. Farkhanda Afzal, we designed practical demonstration stations where students could see humanoid robot actuation up close, understand sensor feedback loops, and observe drone operations.
The initiative directly aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 9: Industry & Innovation, and SDG 17: Partnerships), empowering young minds to explore STEM pathways with confidence.
Workshop Modules
Humanoid Robot Actuation & Movement
Live demonstrations of servo actuation, degrees of freedom, and balancing with Alphamini and EZ-Robot JD platforms.
Sensory Perception & Human-Robot Interaction
Explaining how cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and voice interfaces enable machines to recognize and respond to their environment.
Aerial Systems & Flight Dynamics
Demonstrating multirotor flight mechanics, remote flight telemetry, and safety principles for drones.
Interactive Problem Solving
Engaging students in creative thinking exercises on how robots can help humans solve everyday problems.
Key Outcomes & Skills
- Hands-on humanoid robot demonstrations (Alphamini & EZ-Robot platforms).
- Interactive questions, tactile hardware interaction, and live coding demos for school learners.
- Fostering early confidence and interest in STEM, AI, and computer science in rural communities.
- Part of the international PIE Project in partnership with Cardiff Metropolitan University (UK).
Supervision & Mentorship
- Dr. Farkhanda Afzal — Project Lead (Pakistan), Educational Robotics Lab, NUST SEECS
- Dr. Shadan Khan Khattak — Engineering Head, Eureka Robotics Centre, Cardiff Met (UK)
Internees & Presentation Team
- Hamdan Tariq — BSAI-24, NUST
- Fahad Ali — BSCS-15E, NUST SEECS
- Farhad Khan — BSCS-15D, NUST SEECS
Other Community & STEM Initiatives
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