Nurturing Tomorrow's Leaders: Internet of Things Program Shapes 60 Teenage Innovators

Seventeen-year-old Luiza Paravyan had already chosen her future profession–she aspired to become a masseuse. However, her path took an unexpected turn when she discovered an upcoming course focused on the application and design of Internet of things (IoT) equipment in Gyumri. Intrigued by the prospect of learning something new, she decided not to let this opportunity pass. After all, why miss out on the chance to broaden her horizons?

“The program interested me so much that I decided to become a programmer. I learned about the smart home system during the classes. I want to use artificial intelligence to develop the Armenian 'Anahit' [voice assistant] in a way that meets my needs. For instance, responding to my questions, managing room lighting, and performing similar tasks,” says Luiza, who lives with a disability.

UNICEF organized the IoT course for teenagers aged 14-18 in collaboration with the Internet Society (ISOC) Armenia chapter and Smart City NGOs. The course took place across Yerevan, Hrazdan, Vanadzor, Gyumri, and Goris.

“This falls within UNICEF's Technology for Development initiatives, which are designed to provide adolescents, including those with disabilities, with 21st-century skills and an understanding of “smart” information technology solutions. Gaining a grasp of the foundational principles of IoT programming will motivate teenagers, serving both their professional exploration and their prospects in the job market, enhancing their competitiveness. They will acquire the capability to design and produce intelligent devices, thereby participating in disseminating information and aiding in bridging the digital divide,” UNICEF's educational program coordinator, Hasmik Arakelyan, explains.

According to Susanna Khotsanyan, the project coordinator in Gyumri, the course centered around artificial intelligence, the Internet of things, server operations, and utilizing diverse equipment via the Arduino board. “Through these tools, we can simplify and automate our daily routines, substituting them with more intelligent alternatives. The youngsters delved into comprehending the operations of “Smart House” and analogous systems, engaging in hands-on creation of minor projects,” Khotsanyan says. She believes engaging diverse teenagers, including those with special educational needs, was of utmost significance for this program. “They gained proficiency in computer operation, project development, device creation, and operational management. I was happy to see that all teenagers exhibited genuine enthusiasm throughout the lessons,” she says.

The IoT course is the first in which Alik Sargsyan participated and received a certificate. Alik, 18, is blind and proficient in Braille reading and writing. He has a passion for sports and closely follows all the football championships. He is also currently taking table tennis lessons. 

With limited opportunities for visually impaired individuals in Vanadzor, Alik swiftly seized the chance to enroll in the complimentary course upon learning about it from his informatics teacher.

“One fundamental principle underlying our program is to emphasize to teenagers the importance of considering the requirements of individuals with disabilities when devising any 'smart' application. In this regard, we have already observed encouraging outcomes through the projects undertaken by the teenagers. An exemplary achievement is the development of the 'Anahit' voice assistant, designed to be beneficial for teenagers facing challenges related to vision and mobility. This proficient assistant adeptly comprehends and executes various Armenian instructions, such as activating and deactivating lighting fixtures and various electronic devices,” UNICEF's Hasmik Arakelyan explains.

Lilit Alikhanyan who also benefitted much from the IoT course, is acutely aware of the invaluable impact of effective technology utilization on individuals with disabilities. At 13, she is already resolute in her aspiration to become a programmer, having dedicated three years to attending robotics classes. Collaborating with her friends, Lilit spearheaded the creation of an application called Speech Helper, tailored to aid individuals with speech impairments. This innovative application garnered the top accolade in the Technovation Girls competition.

Lilit seizes every opportunity to expand her knowledge. She affirms that the insights gained from the IoT course will prove invaluable in her future endeavors. “We embarked on a comprehensive learning journey. Beginning from the basics, we delved into tab handling, sensor operation, troubleshooting, and code composition. As an aspiring programmer, this knowledge holds immense potential for my career trajectory. Although its applicability is universal, most participants, myself included, harbor aspirations of becoming programmers. Consequently, we approached the course with utmost dedication,” Lilit says.

The 13-year-old aspires to make a meaningful contribution through her chosen profession. Currently, she is working on a robot intended to aid individuals with disabilities and mobility challenges by assisting in delivering essential items.