In an exciting leap toward equipping young minds with future-ready skills, the AI & Robotics Program recently hosted Bootcamp III—an immersive, hands-on workshop designed to introduce students to AI, robotics, and digital fabrication. Delivered in partnership with ChipuRobo and Microsoft Africa Development Center (ADC), and powered by eKitabu’s Learning Management System, the workshop was hosted at the Microsoft ADC premises in Nairobi. The initiative offered participants a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of technology, sustainability, and innovation through practical, hands-on learning.
Participants engaged in assembling and building the PET machine during the workshop session.
From Waste to Innovation
Over the course of two weeks, in November 2025, students participated in a series of action-packed days, engaging in practical activities designed to develop their technical skills and creative problem-solving abilities. Bootcamp III emphasized sustainability and AI integration, encouraging participants to convert everyday waste into functional, AI-enhanced products.
During the workshop, participants:
- Assembled and operated a PET pulltrusion machine, which helps to transform raw plastic bottles into 3D printing filament.
- Learned to cut, calibrate, and prepare recycled filament suitable for printing.
- Created functional components and enclosures relevant to robotics and community applications.
- Applied digital design skills, modifying and slicing 3D models for production with recycled materials.
- Explored AI concepts through mini-projects combining sensors, logic, and vision modules.
- Tackled challenges such as smart bins, prosthetic models, and crop monitoring rigs, linking AI, fabrication, and sustainability.
In addition to technical skills, participants strengthened their project planning, teamwork, and creative problem-solving skills through open-ended design tasks, culminating in a Demo Day showcase where they presented their journey from raw plastic PET bottles to functional, printed products.
Bootcamp III Schedule Highlights
Theme: From Raw Materials to AI-Enhanced Products
Focus: Sustainability, Electronics, Fabrication, and Demonstration
Workshop Activities
The workshop began with an introduction to PET recycling and sustainability goals, followed by hands-on sessions where students produced, calibrated, and spooled 3D printing filament.
Next, participants explored electronics and AI integration, learning about Raspberry Pi, sensors, motor drivers, and heating elements. They practiced wiring the components and developed logic plans to control the full system.
Once the electronics and printed parts were ready, students moved on to assembling the complete systems and engaged in system testing and troubleshooting, ensuring that hardware and logic functioned correctly.
The program concluded with a recap session and Q&A with facilitators, followed by team presentations and live demonstrations. Participants showcased their projects, and awards were given to recognize outstanding achievements.
Students demonstrating their final product of the PET machine.
Building the Innovators of Tomorrow
The AI & Robotics Program equips students with practical skills and knowledge in AI, robotics, and digital fabrication, preparing them to innovate responsibly and sustainably. By leveraging maker spaces, recycled materials, and AI technologies, participants gain hands-on experience that bridges the gap between education and real-world applications.
With Bootcamp III, students not only developed technical proficiency but also embraced creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving—core skills for the next generation of innovators and builders.
Participants collaborating to construct the PET machine as part of their workshop learning
The program continues in 2026, aiming to empower students with transformative learning experiences and prepare them for the Kenya Science and Engineering Fair 2026, where sustainability and AI integration will take center stage.