Computer Science

1. Art and Artificial Intelligence

After a short introduction to artificial intelligence (AI), its role in our daily lives and scientific research currently done on the topic, pupils discover that this technology can be used to create works of art. They first learn how to design an unplugged AI, from collecting and preparing the data to training and finally evaluating the AI. They then use computer programming to produce drawings. The participants have some time to explore by themselves the possibilities offered by these new tools and will then be able to continue practicing at home. Through presentations and hands-on activities, this workshop highlights the importance of data and how it can be used to train intelligent machines, and let the participants form their own opinion on AI. The workshop also invites them to reflect on questions such as: Can intelligent machines perform art? Does computer science involve or even require creativity?

The workshop covers among others the following topics and activities:

• State of art in artificial intelligence
• Design of an unplugged AI
• Art experiments with AI
• Introduction to coding in Java for processing
• General coding notions such as variables, functions, conditions, loops, etc.

This workshop is suited for classes from 5^th  and 4^th grade (in the Luxembourgish school system), meaning students aged 14 to 16. Older students are welcome as well.

No prior knowledge of coding or computer science needed.

2. Think, talk and act like a robot

This workshop explores algorithms, coding and robotics in order to compare how humans and robots act or react. The hands-on activities allow pupils to answer questions such as: What makes robots different from humans? Do robots think differently than humans? How can we interact with robots?

This 3-hour workshop can be divided in three different lessons of one hour each. Entitled “55 minutes to understand”, each lesson is dedicated to a specific topic:

• 55 minutes to understand algorithms: Think like a robot
  Participants learn about different type of algorithms, how they can be used in our daily life to solve different kind of problems and what is the link with artificial intelligence.
• 55 minutes to understand coding: Talk like a robot
  Participants discover the history of computers and code, learn more about code development and do a series of plugged (only on campus) and unplugged exercises.
• 55 minutes to understand robotics: Act like a robot
  Participants explore how to make a robot walk through hands-on experiments, explore the idea of self-consciousness and expression of emotions in a robot and reflect on concrete applications for robots through the example of the Alpha Mini robot. (only on campus)

This workshop is designed for classes from the 7^th and 6^th grade (in the Luxembourgish school system), meaning students aged 12 to 14. Older students are welcome as well.

This workshop is especially suited for digital science classes.

Language

The main languages used during the workshops are French and English.
The workshops can also be booked in German or Luxembourgish on specific days. Check the schedule on our booking platform.

Time schedule

The workshops are offered as half-day courses (3 hours including a 10 minutes break).
Teachers are free to choose their preferred starting time between 8:00 am and 2:00 pm (can be done during registration).

For the workshop "Think, talk and act like a robot", there are two options:

• Book the full 3-hour workshop on campus Belval
• Split the workshop in three “55 minutes to understand” sessions conducted online or at school.
  Each 1h session can be conducted on a different day.

Certificate

At the end of a workshop, each student receives a certificate attesting to his participation.

Location

The workshops in computer science take place in the Maison du Savoir (MSA) on Campus Belval.

If you arrive by car or coach, take the A4 and keep it until the end, then follow the signs towards "Belval". On the campus, there are no signs to indicate the way to Maison du Savoir. Please use the map below to find your way.

If you arrive by train, the stop is "Belval Université". Our building is 10 minutes away from the train station by foot. There are also several buses that you can take to arrive on the campus.