Hudson resident Ali Rafieymehr is continuing his mission to spark interest in technology among young students, most recently through a hands-on robotics workshop held at Rodgers Memorial Library on Wednesday, April 29.
Originally designed for just eight students in grades 4 through 8, the four-hour workshop quickly grew in popularity. Due to overwhelming interest, enrollment was expanded multiple times-eventually reaching 20 registered participants ranging in age from 7 to 15.
Despite the wide age range, Rafieymehr ensured an inclusive learning environment by organizing students into small teams, pairing younger participants with more experienced peers. On the day of the workshop, 13 students attended and were divided into four teams of three to four members.
Throughout the session, students were introduced to programming concepts using XRP robots and tasked with completing a “Parking Challenge.”
Within just a few hours, most teams successfully programmed their robots to complete the task-an accomplishment Rafieymehr said reflects both the students’ enthusiasm and the effectiveness of hands-on learning.
“One team in particular did an outstanding job,” Rafieymehr noted. To recognize their efforts, he awarded each member of the top-performing team a small gift card, adding a fun, competitive element to the learning experience.
Rafieymehr’s passion for robotics education is rooted in a long career in higher education, where he has served in roles including faculty member, department chair, dean, vice president, and interim president.
Over the years, he has remained focused on encouraging young people to explore computer science and engineering.
His involvement with the FIRST Robotics Competition further deepened that commitment. After attending a competition with his grandson and discovering a lack of local youth teams, Rafieymehr decided to take action by founding his own group, known as “Future Techies.”
Workshops like the one held at Rodgers Library also serve as a way for Rafieymehr to identify and mentor students who may be interested in joining competitive robotics teams in the future.
In addition to the main workshop, Rafieymehr extended his outreach to even younger learners. On the following day, he hosted a small session introducing second-grade students to programming using Ozobot robots, demonstrating his belief that exposure to technology can begin at any age.
Rafieymehr also maintains a website showcasing projects and student work, further supporting his goal of making technology education accessible at: www.techfuturetoday.com.
With continued interest from the community and growing participation in his programs, Rafieymehr’s efforts are helping lay the groundwork for the next generation of innovators-one workshop at a time
