Eight weeks into the Nervtek Holiday Tech Camp (HTC) Buea 2025, the enthusiasm is unmistakable.
We are thrilled to report that, in Buea alone, we are currently training over 90 children, including a supportive group of 27 girls who are actively participating and showcasing their growing interest and aptitude in technology.
What started as a modest project in 2020 with just nine (9) inquisitive kids eager to learn about technology has blossomed into something truly inspirational and life-changing. This year, we proudly expanded the Holiday Tech Camp to the city of Bamenda, where twelve (12) eager young learners have already begun their technological journey.
The students’ enthusiasm has been absolutely incredible. They display a strong desire to learn, actively engage in discussions, ask insightful questions, and collaborate effectively on projects. Their passion for technology shines through their eagerness to explore different modules and tackle new challenges.
Starting with fundamental concepts and progressing to increasingly advanced applications, our curriculum is designed to develop students’ skills progressively. Below is an overview of the modules covered at each level during the first eight weeks:
Our Level-by-Level Learning Path
The camp curriculum is carefully structured to progressively build learners’ skills and knowledge in technology. Each level builds on the previous one, starting with foundational ideas and moving toward more complex applications. Here’s a breakdown of the topics covered at each level:
Level One:
Activities & Achievements:
Scratch Programming with PictoBlox:
These young learners were introduced to Scratch programming, where they used it to create animations and simple games using drag-and-drop coding, learning logic, sequencing, and computational thinking.
They built interactive tools that responded to real-world inputs (e.g., clapping to trigger actions), fostering creativity and debugging skills. Their capstone projects included face and sound recognition, as well as a fruit catcher game.
Robotics Fundamentals (nTron™ Kit/mBot):
Learners were introduced to the exciting world of robotics, starting with what a robot is, its parts, and the various types of robots with real-world applications. They delved into robot components like sensors, controllers, actuators, and structural parts. Teamwork was emphasized as learners collaborated to assemble the nBot from the nTron™ Kit.
Once assembled, they programmed the mBot to avoid obstacles, draw patterns, and detect edges to prevent falls. This hands-on experience strengthened their robotics and coding skills while nurturing collaboration, problem-solving, and creativity.
In an AI robotics project, learners implemented a voice recognition model to initiate robot actions such as moving forward, backward, or turning demonstrating AI’s potential in robotic automation without physical human intervention.
Drone Programming (TELLO):
Participants explored unmanned aerial systems (UAVs) through theory and practice. They began with an overview of drones, their parts, and real-world applications like delivery, photography, mapping, and inspection.
Using the DroneBlocks platform and TELLO EDU app, learners programmed drones and completed a successful delivery mission challenge.
3D Modeling with TinkerCAD:
Learners spent a week creating simple designs using TinkerCAD, transforming basic shapes into digital models and physical objects via 3D printing. They learned the difference between 2D and 3D designs, explored real-world uses, and got hands-on with printers and materials such as PLA and ABS. By week’s end, each produced their first 3D-printed object, boosting creativity, problem-solving, and design skills.
Soft Skills:
Teamwork, patience, logical and strategic thinking, storytelling through projects.
Level Two:
Activities & Achievements:
Programming with PictoBlox:
Over two weeks, Level 2 learners explored programming, AI, and robotics. They learned how computers interpret instructions, different programming languages, and key coding concepts, then used PictoBlox to create interactive projects such as games, calculators, and chat simulations.
They built and trained AI models, including a hand gesture recognition system that used a webcam to control sprite movements.
They then switched their focus to physical computing and understanding sensors, controllers, and actuators and programmed automated robotic tasks with loops, conditionals, variables, and functions.
3D Printing (TinkerCAD/Creality):
Learners advanced their design skills, creating functional 3D objects such as phone stands and cable organizers. They mastered shape manipulation, scaling, and alignment, prepared models for slicing, selected print settings for various materials, and troubleshot common printing issues.
Drone Assembly and Regulations:
Level 2 students assembled a laser-cut drone, learning its components and sourcing methods. They explored drone controls roll, pitch, yaw, throttle and drone flight laws in Cameroon, combining technical skills with regulatory knowledge to foster responsible drone use.
Soft Skills:
Problem-solving, critical thinking, iterative design, team collaboration, presentation skills, and operational principles for drones.
Level Three:
Activities & Achievements:
Web Programming (JavaScript/HTML/CSS):
Students were introduced to the fundamentals of web development, learning about static and dynamic websites. They studied webpage structure with HTML, styled pages with CSS (margins, padding, borders, content sizing), and explored forms and input fields for data collection.
As a practical project, each created a personal “About Me” webpage, applying their skills in creative web design and enhancing user experience.
Advanced Robotics:
The focus was on robotic arms. Over two weeks, students learned about the role of robotic arms in industry, mechanical joint movements, electrical systems including circuits and microcontrollers (Arduino), sensors, actuators, degrees of freedom, types of end effectors, and control mechanisms.
Through project-based learning, they assembled, wired, and programmed robotic arms, tackling exercises and assignments to develop problem-solving and creativity. Their functional prototypes demonstrated technical understanding and innovation.
3D Design & Laser Printing:
Students modeled complex mechanical designs, focusing on fully articulated robotic arms.
Using advanced techniques, they ensured parts fit and moved correctly, considered material choice and durability, linking their designs to real-world robotics and manufacturing.
Soft Skills:
Problem-solving under constraints, research, technical documentation.
Level Four:
Activities & Achievements:
Professional Web Development:
In this module, Level 4 learners explored professional web development from design to implementation. They began with UI/UX design in Figma, focusing on creating user-friendly layouts, before moving into hands-on coding.
Using HTML and CSS, students built website structures and styled them with detailed elements such as borders, padding, and margins. They then advanced to JavaScript, adding interactivity, and Bootstrap, ensuring responsive and modern designs.
The highlight of the course was the clone of the Nervtek website, where students successfully applied their knowledge to replicate a real-world platform. This project gave them practical experience in web design and development, strengthening their problem-solving and creativity skills.
Robotics:
Learners took on a challenging and exciting project the design and construction of an autonomous hospital delivery robot. From the very first day, the focus was on building a real-world solution while mastering advanced robotics concepts.
Along the way, students explored motor control, sensor interfacing, robot design, and 3D modeling, gaining practical knowledge of how these systems integrate.
They coded, built, and tested their robots step by step, applying engineering principles to achieve functionality.
The robot they developed is capable of line following, obstacle detection and avoidance, and tag recognition.
Soft Skills:
Client-centric design, agile workflows, cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Level Five:
Activities & Achievements:
Design Thinking:
The central theme during their robotics journey was Design Thinking, a human-centered problem-solving framework involving empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test stages. Students applied this structured approach to real-world challenges.
3D Printing and CNC Machining:
The students worked hands-on with 3D printing and CNC machining to create physical prototypes. CNC sessions focused on subtractive manufacturing principles, enabling precise component fabrication. They advanced skills in TinkerCAD and Fusion 360 for accurate, functional models.
Integrated Robotics and Software Development:
This group combined hardware (robotics, electronics, PCB design, industrial design) and software (UI/UX, algorithms, web and mobile apps) development, simulating a full engineering product cycle from concept to prototype.
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning:
Students were introduced to AI and ML with a practical focus on Natural Language Processing (NLP) and deep learning. Topics included AI, ML, NLP fundamentals, neural networks, deep learning architectures, text classification, and ML model training with Kaggle as a practice platform.
They developed a sentiment analysis model using deep learning to interpret emotions from text data, gaining valuable hands-on experience in AI applications.
Soft Skills:
Entrepreneurship, project management, peer mentorship.
Week 8: From Education to Creativity
This week, learners across all levels are focusing on completing their major projects for the HTC25 Closing Ceremony. These projects represent the tremendous growth and capability of our students, showcasing innovations like autonomous robots, smart greenhouses, 3D-printed accessories, coded games, AI applications, home automation, farm fund websites, automated toll gates, and custom-coded apps.
The Nervtek Holiday Tech Camp 2025 is more than a training program it is a vibrant community where future innovators take their first bold steps toward shaping Africa’s future. Creativity and teamwork continue to flourish.
Beyond Technical Proficiency
To foster well-rounded innovators, HTC25 organized motivational Saturday sessions with experts across various fields. These sessions expanded students’ horizons beyond the core curriculum by introducing science, emerging technologies, and creative skills:
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Lily Asongfac, Aerospace Baby Project Space STEAM Educator:
Oversaw STEAM careers, rocket science, and astronomy sessions, teaching fundamentals of astronomy, rocket science concepts, and STEAM-related career options in space exploration. -
Karol Konarski, CTO of Nanosatellite Missions Design:
Led a Junior Satellite IoT Amateur session where students bridged digital and physical worlds through hands-on satellite communication and Internet of Things projects, cultivating scientific and engineering mindsets for future technologies. -
Sir Collins Ngwashi, International Photographer:
Conducted a digital photography session to develop creative and visual communication skills, including practical techniques in camera handling, composition, and storytelling through images. -
Strategic Games:
Playing Scrabble, Monopoly, and Chess to build strategy and critical thinking skills. -
Life and Health Skills:
In partnership with ForMom and Baby Foundation, sessions covered menstrual hygiene, mental health, depression management, and resisting peer pressure. -
Entrepreneurship:
Workshops taught students how to identify opportunities, ideate, and translate ideas into actionable projects, promoting leadership, creativity, and problem-solving. -
Leadership:
Sessions with Renewed Mind Leaders emphasized leadership development.
Increasing Influence Across Boundaries
We are excited to announce that Liberia is now following our example by launching its own Holiday Tech Camp. Our Nervtek team is actively supporting the program’s adaptation and implementation in Monrovia, partnering with UNDP Liberia to empower more young innovators and expand technology education throughout the region.
Our CEO, Engineer Nzometiah Nervis, and Program Manager, Engineer Njita Arnaud, are playing key roles in this initiative, sharing their expertise and passion.
In Conclusion
The Nervtek Holiday Tech Camp 2025 is more than a technology education program it is a dynamic, inclusive learning environment shaping future innovators, sparking young minds, and nurturing critical skills. We eagerly anticipate the developments and innovations that will emerge in the coming weeks and take immense pride in what these participants have achieved in just over a month.
This module sounds like an incredibly comprehensive and hands-on approach to web development and robotics! The progression from UI-UX design to JavaScript and Bootstrap seems well-structured, and the Nervtek clone project must have been a great way to apply skills practically. The inclusion of robotics, especially the autonomous hospital delivery robot, adds a unique and advanced dimension to the course. It’s impressive how students tackled motor control, sensor interfacing, and 3D modeling to create a functional robot. Do you think these projects adequately prepared students for real-world challenges in the industry? Also, how was the balance between web development and robotics in the curriculum? It would be interesting to hear more about the challenges students faced and how they overcame them.
I enjoyed reading this article. Thanks for sharing your insights.