Psi Phi Chapter Leans Into Robotics to Teach Youth

Winston-Salem, NC – In partnership with AiTech Labs, the Psi Phi chapter of Omega Psi Phi recently helped introduce several young men to advanced concepts in robotics and coding.

Last month, the Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiatives Committee teamed up with the STEM Committee to host a hands-on educational STEM workshop at Old Hickory Council, Boy Scouts of America to give young men a personal and practical look at the world of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

AiTech Labs broke down robotics in a way that allowed every participant to understand and engage. Instead of overwhelming them with theory, the instructors showed them how robotics works through interactive, hands-on activities that made learning feel like discovery.

The young men learned how robots are built by learning about sensors, motors, controllers, power systems, and frames and structural parts. They learned how each component plays a specific role, and how design choices affect how a robot moves and responds.

AiTech Labs then bridged the gap between hardware and software. Using tablets and laptops, the young men learned how to write simple lines of code; how instructions translate into movement; how to program step-by-step actions; and how to troubleshoot when a robot doesn’t respond correctly. They also practiced using drag-and-drop coding, which helped them understand core ideas like sequencing, loops, conditional commands, and timing and precision.

The instructors demonstrated how robots detect obstacles, follow programmed paths, execute instructions independently, and use sensors to make decisions. This helped the young men understand that robots don’t just move randomly; they respond to logic that they themselves can create. As robots failed, succeeded, turned the wrong way, or completed tasks perfectly, the students had to communicate, collaborate and correct mistakes when their code didn’t work.

Brothers Evan Dixon, Deshaywn Middleton and Ashton Tinnin are co-chairs of the Mentoring and Fatherhood Initiatives Committee. Brothers Fred Henry and Virgil Lessane co-chair the STEM Committee.

Basileus Richard Watkins said this is another example of Psi Phi brothers going into the community to impact lives. “The young men that attended our STEM workshop are our future tech leaders,” Watkins said. “It’s our mission as community leaders to help provide them the tools to be successful.”