Loop for Science and Technology, founded in 2018 in Casablanca by three engineers, is transforming education in Morocco by integrating technology into public schools. The association introduces young people to the professions of tomorrow, such as robotics and artificial intelligence, thanks to innovative programs and a community of committed volunteers.
Since its creation, Loop for Science and Technology has set itself a clear objective: to raise public sector students’ awareness of new emerging professions such as robotics and the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI). “We launched with private schools, offering robotics courses and training teachers. Very quickly, we realized that it was imperative to integrate public schools to reach as many students as possible, especially those from from disadvantaged backgrounds”, tells Médias24 Laila Barchanecofondatrice de Loop for Science and Technology.
The association, born in Casablanca in 2018, is the result of a vision shared by three engineers who are passionate about technology and deeply attached to their country. Laila Barchane, her sister Imane Barchane, both graduates of Mohammadia School of Engineers in industrial engineering, and Saâd Zabariengineer graduated from l’ALONEsaw technology as a lever to transform Moroccan education. Their common ambition: to integrate more technology into the Moroccan education system in order to prepare young people for a world where digital skills are essential.
The idea was born from a simple but impactful observation: “Although Morocco is experiencing rapid growth in access to technology, opportunities for young people to learn and master these tools remain limited, especially in schools public”, notes the co-founder. She continues: “We started modestly. There were just three of us, with lots of ideas and a fierce desire to make a difference.”
In 2021, Loop for Science and Technology signed a partnership with the Ministry of‘National education to develop robotics in public schools. It has since created 180 robotics clubs across the country, with at least one club per region, including in rural areas such as Driouch, Aousefr and Moulay Yacoub. Volunteer teachers are trained and equipped to supervise students.
Indeed, Loop for Science and Technology is based on a community model. “Each year, nearly 300 volunteers join this adventure. They come from diverse backgrounds: experienced engineers, passionate artists, curious students, and even professionals from other sectors, all united by the same desire: to transmit their knowledge and their passion for technology to younger generations”, affirms our interlocutor. She adds that this diversity in management creates a unique synergy, where each skill and each experience complement each other to offer young people a rich and varied training.
A range of programs to stimulate technological innovation and youth engagement
The association organizes its competitions with an emphasis on community engagement. Each competition includes a team project component, where participants leverage transversal skills such as artificial intelligence, mechanics, and many other disciplines.
One of the most iconic programs of Loop for Science and Technology is the “Tech Challenge” : First® Tech Challenge et First® Lego® League. This competition challenges participants to solve real-world problems using modern technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence.
“Young people are not only trained to use these tools, they are encouraged to innovate, to explore the possibilities offered by these technologies to create original solutions to real problems, such as the optimization of waste management in cities or improving access to education in rural areas”, assures Laila Barchane. Also, one of the main objectives of the Tech Challenge is to allow young people to project themselves into technological careers with confidence.
Loop’s other initiative is the Robotics Olympiad “World Robot Olympiad (WRO)“. Here, students are grouped into teams to design, program and build robots capable of solving specific challenges. But the Olympiad goes further: it includes an artistic component where robots are used to create visual works, which thus merge technology and creative expression.
In these hackathons, the challenge is twofold. First technological: lhe teams must design and program a robot capable of carrying out a pre-established challenge. For example, “this year, the challenge is to develop a robot that assembles pixelated elements to create an artistic mosaic on a board. Teams earn points based on precision, colors and final composition,” describes the co-founder.
Finally, the hackathon supported by NASA “Space Apps Challenge” is undoubtedly one of Loop for Science and Technology’s most ambitious programs. Dedicated to space and terrestrial exploration, this hackathon pushes young people to think like NASA engineers, immersing them in real-world challenges related to the exploration of space and the protection of our planet This immersive experience not only develops advanced technical skills, but it also inspires young people to engage in important scientific fields for the future.
Although rooted in technology, these competitions were designed to develop much more than technical skills. Imane Barchane insists on the importance of soft skills : “We want each participating student to be able to develop technical skills, but also soft skills such as leadership and problem solving”. Indeed, teams are encouraged to organize outreach activities, such as coding workshops, and come up with innovative solutions to solve a specific problem in their school, or even contact international institutions to promote robotics in remote areas.
The association is not limited to Morocco. Its African vocation is clearly established with the opening of a center in Kinshasa, Congo, and a partnership in Tunisia to extend its impact across the continent. Loop for Science and Technology recognizes Africa’s immense potential in the field of Tech and wishes to support this new generation of African innovators. “These initiatives make it possible to create an ecosystem conducive to the emergence of African talents capable of contributing to the resolution of global problems, while meeting the specific needs of local communities,” concludes Laila Barchane.
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