“U BOT U CAN!” ACCN addresses the under-representation of Black youths in STEM fields

BY PAUL JUNOR

It has been four years now since the African-Canadian Christian Network (ACCN)

launched its first robotic team. In addition to facilitating the Independent School 2023 Program, the ACCN has been involved in several initiatives over the years. During the summer of 2022, it hosted a free virtual STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Camps that featured CODING 2 & CAD (Computer Aided Design).

In 2018, with the assistance of First Robotics Canada (FRC) and Ryerson University, the ACCN launched a Robotics team called ACCN Techtronix. It consisted of 25 youths from different areas in Toronto who were mentored by engineering students. The team went on to win the Design Challenge in 2018 and by 2019. Thanks to the support of the FRC and the University of Toronto Scarborough, another team was created. It was named UMOJA FRC team 7712, and it provided opportunities for more Black youth to become involved in Robotics.

There is a testimonial from Dr.Walter and Erica Joseph whose daughter participated in the inaugural Robotic Team on the website; It reads, “It is a tremendous opportunity to have my daughter involved in the TECHTRONIX. The experience is helping her to expand her passion for building, and has strengthened her ability to work within a team, in addition to helping to prepare for a future career in electrical engineering.

It is an invaluable life experience that is helping to inspire and equip her to be a leader in the field of science and technology. We encourage every parent to consider getting their children involved in this program, and to watch with excitement the tremendous difference it makes in their lives.”

In a GoFundMe campaign launched in 2021 titled, “Supporting Umoja Robotics” to raise funds for its Robotics team UMOJA which competed in the 2021 First Robotics competition. They raised $ 6,000 out of a goal of $15,000. The campaign states, “We are pursuing the Game Design challenge, which is an opportunity for teams to design a FIRST Robotics Competition game and compete against other teams for a chance to pitch their game to the FIRST Robotics Competition Game Design Team.”

As the first and only black robotics community team in Canada ACCN intends to address the under-representation of Black youths in STEM fields by encouraging their participation in these technical fields. They want to create equitable spaces for young people and dismantle systems that are barriers to their success. We want to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that foster well-rounded life capabilities including: self-confidence, communication, and leadership.

On Saturday, November 19^th, 2022, the ACCN hosted a free community Robotics Event at Black Creek Community Centre in York Gate Mall. It was titled, “U BOT U CAN” and it provided opportunities for the Black community to: meet the Robotics team, hear from First Robotics Canada, and test drive the robot, and sign up for the UMOJA Robotics team.

On Saturday, November 26^th, 2022, meeting #1 was held for the ACCN Robotics UMOJA Pre-season at the York University Bergeren Centre for Engineering Excellence.

Parents, past team numbers, and future members were invited to learn about the plans for the 2023 UMOJA Robotics Team.

Anyone interested in learning about the UMOJA Robotics Team can check:

Website: https://accntoronto.com

Facebook: African Canadian Christian Network (ACCN)