NUS STEP Technology Camp 2018 (18-22 June 2018)

The NUS STEP Technology Camp 2018 was held from 18 to 22 June 2018 (Mon to Fri) in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the National University of Singapore (ECE@NUS). 

The objective in this one-week camp is to expose students to different technologies that are key in our nation’s drive towards a Smart Nation.  The students will learn how electrical & computer engineers can play a key role in this initiative.  The students will be exposed to basic programming skills, embedded systems and designed their own autonomous/ remoted-controlled vehicle.  They will also visit the NUS Advanced Robotics Centre, the Satellite and Airborne Radar Research lab, and the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle lab to see the numerous efforts that NUS is focusing on.  They will also attend a workshop on innovation and entrepreneurship, with hands on experimentation in innovation and technology focused product design, closely linked to the Smart Nation theme.  The camp will also provide an insight into what future study or a career in Engineering might be like.  In addition, the group projects will help students to develop key abilities for future success, including leadership, teamwork and presentation skills.  

Two students attended the camp and here are their remarks: 

I am really thankful that I was given this golden opportunity to be able to take part in this year's STEP camp that is hosted by National University of Singapore (NUS). I really enjoyed the activities especially the building, coding and testing of the autonomous car. The activities where engaging and I would really want to join this camp again next year! 
(Ng Yong Kiat Shawn, S2-07)

I believe that the STEP technology camp had been very fun and enriching as I was given exposure to different aspects of engineering. The camp allowed me to learn the importance of teamwork and a wide range of skills that will be useful in the future. Despite the fact that we were unable to get a prize, I learnt that in the future I should manage my time wisely and be more efficient when working on projects like the autonomous car. This camp also encouraged me to join the electronics applied subject in the future so that I can use Arduino more.

(Akash Rajesh, S2-05)

The details of the camp as as follows: 

Project work: Autonomous car
In this one-week camp, you will learn to build your own autonomous car.  This program is design to allow you to have fun with these autonomous/remote-controlled vehicles. Appreciate their features and then take them apart to see what lies inside?  Find out what Electrical and Computer engineers have fun with.  Get to know the resistors and diodes of electrical engineering.  Get a feel of the motors that work for you every day in so many ways.  Find out how a single-chip computer can do so many interesting things if you learn some basic programming.  The specific embedded system used is the Arduino platform, which is an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible and easy-to-use hardware and software. Arduino is intended for artists, designers, hobbyists and anyone interested in creating interactive objects or environments.
The students will first learn the Arduino hardware and development environment. They will then tinker with the Arduino kit and components to explore their features under the guidance of our teaching staffs.  
We shall help you build your very own autonomous car and let you put as many features or as much intelligence as you want.  See it turn left, turn right and move forward while tackling challenging tasks like slopes and tough meandering paths. The autonomous vehicle has three parts to its intelligence, “Eyes” to see the road, “Legs” to move on the road and a “Brain” to receive the information from the “Eyes” and translate it for the “Legs”!  And finally, let’s see which team makes the fastest and the best autonomous car, and goes away with the top prize. 


  




Innovation and Enterprise Workshop
The workshop aimed at preparing the students to face the challenges of tomorrow and benefit from what comes next. They learnt to be a leader of tomorrow’s society in more ways than one.  The Workshop will begin with a discussion about the various dreams that the youth of today have, be it to be a scientist, engineer, inventor, innovator, entrepreneur, a policeman or something beyond that. A clear distinction and a better understanding of what these dreams mean in the real world and their personalization will be discussed in an interactive way. 
The sessions are meant to be interactive and fun. The workshop will lead to team-work and hands on experimentation in innovation and technology focused product design. Students will have an immediate opportunity to put the skills they learnt into practice. They will invent, conceptualize and present. 

Unmanned Systems Research Group @ T-lab

A swarm of 16 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), fitted with high-tech components and LEDs, has been captivating spectators recently with their twinkling aerial light show, as part of The Future of Us exhibition at Gardens by the Bay earlier this year.  Come and visit the lab and understand how these intelligent systems are being developed.  We will also arrange a field trip to experience first-hand how these UAVs can fly autonomously.

Satellite and Airborne Radar Research lab 
NUS Engineering sent its first two satellites, Galassia and Kent Ridge 1 (KR-1), into space on 16 Dec 2015 at 8:30pm (Singapore time).  They were among six Singapore satellites that were launched together into a near-equatorial orbit from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh, India, by the Indian Space Research Organisation’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.  You will get to see one of the satellites that was sent to space, and its capability, the mission control room.