Our Story

The International Robotics Academy was born of the clear need that Lama Shashaa, a Jordanian mother and co-founder of the International Robotics Academy, saw in her children and the gaps she saw in their education that were hindering them from reaching their full potential. Wanting to take advantage of the momentum of the children’s youth, and driven by the limited educational opportunities available, she established the International Robotics Academy with a focus on hands-on robotics learning to help students change their mindset and realize that they can be change-makers and innovators, and that, if they set their minds to it, no problem is too large to be solved. Technology was the tool of choice to change these children’s way of thinking and outlook on the world because that is what is most interesting to them; it is their language and lies at the core of many of their interests. Thinking as a mother, Lama Shashaa designed the International Robotics Academy to provide family-like safety and foster trust to create a healthy learning environment.

What do we do? And why?

At the International Robotics Academy, we have a strong belief that educational institutes must change to reflect the world in which our children are growing up, with all its complexities and challenges. In order to create this change, we need a new educational paradigm. The International Robotics Academy’s model of teaching is unique in that it emphasizes the importance of “learning by doing” and providing the students with the space and freedom to experiment creatively, while also developing confidence, leadership skills, and important soft skills. Our instructors - who are coaches, rather than teachers - work with the students to guide them as they discover a dimension of technology that is new to them. The students work as a team to explore big problems (through a focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals) and learn how to plan and achieve their goals. We aim to build a culture of teamwork among the students. Our curriculum first works to build the students’ skills in robotics. After they have developed a firm basis, the students then use their new-found skills and knowledge to explore the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Schools today largely do not address the unique personalities and creativity of each child. Many end up unable to fit in and benefit from the current educational system. Knowledge in schools today is still provided in a top-down manner, with minimal contribution from the students. This does not allow the students to grow as critical thinkers who ask questions and know how to work with others in diverse environments. We believe an appetite for learning should drive the educational system. Schools should be like gardens filled with knowledge where children can grow their own unique personalities and talents. To do this, we believe schools should prioritize understanding and experience over memorization and work to eliminate bullying and the toxic competitive environment that results from school rankings.

Our goal here at the International Robotics Academy is to create bright and intelligent citizens of the world, who have high digital literacy, critical thinking, and problem solving skills. We believe that our empathy-led education will foster a sense of collaboration, respect, tolerance, creativity, and design-thinking among the students. Our students participate in international competitions, allowing them to share their culture with the world while learning about other cultures.

We at the International Robotics Academy work to take advantage of the context and many traits that make Jordanian children special. For one thing, Jordanian children have access to both the old and the new, as they live in this ever-changing world while maintaining close relationships with their elders through strong family ties. Also, living in Jordan, the children are very aware of many challenges that exist in their own country and surrounding countries, from poverty and war to water and electricity access. Because of this context, we understand the importance of developing resilience and an innovative spirit in our students. Furthermore, the children have the benefit of growing up in a welcoming culture that has a positive view of neighbors. This prepares them for work with people from very diverse backgrounds. Finally, the strong cultural emphasis on academics and scholarship fuels the children’s desire to learn.