LSTME
This year, Webikon also took part in the Summer Camp for Talented Youth in Electronics, represented by our colleague Ján Bočínec.
What is LSTME?
The Summer Camp for Talented Youth in Electronics (LSTME, from its Slovak name) is a place for young people who are passionate about technology and want to get better at various areas of electronics under the guidance of professionals and experts. LSTME is organised by the civic association Slovak Society of Electronics Engineers, which wants to raise awareness of the field among young people. The camp is open to young people aged 12 to 18 inclusive. It gives participants the chance to try hands-on activities in areas that interest them but that they otherwise have no opportunity to explore. The camp builds on knowledge they already have, but it also suits complete beginners who are still finding their way in the field. You can find out more about LSTME on their website, and on Facebook you can see photos from previous years.
How the camp works
The camp takes place every year in a very friendly atmosphere, and all participants can choose what they want to get actively involved in. The daily programme includes intensive courses on various subjects, trips into the surrounding countryside and sports activities. You can see the camp programme here.
Computing
- programming
- building websites
- algorithms
- computer graphics
- the Linux operating system
Building devices
- building an electronic device
- wiring a microprocessor circuit
- programming it
3D printing
- designing models and refining them
- setting up the printer
- the ins and outs of 3D printing
- materials and their physical properties
Robotics
- building robot models from LEGO kits
- programming
- preparing for the RoboCup competition
Video production
- working with a video camera
- working with audio recordings
- making your own short films
- music videos
- news reports
Sport and relaxation
- outdoor games
- chess and five-in-a-row tournaments
- a trip to the swimming pool
- visiting local heritage sites
How did 2022 go?
LSTME 2022 took place in Orava, a region in northern Slovakia, in the village of Huty. The theme of the camp was “Build and program your own Morse telegraph”. Throughout the camp, the children followed a story that they uncovered gradually from clues they found along the way. All the activities followed the theme of ciphers too.
Participants tried coding in JavaScript and NodeJS, creating simple ciphers and Morse code messages that they then tried to decode. They also tried building Morse code receivers and transmitters using receiver and transmitter modules. In robotics, they wrote programs for LEGO robots for the competition disciplines line follower and micromouse. In 3D printing, the children modelled a telegraph key that they could then print on a 3D printer. This year's audiovisual workshop produced a remake of the film Fetrix (watch the video), which was originally shot almost 20 years ago. In their free time, participants worked on solving the camp-wide mystery, and there was no shortage of sport, relaxation and walks to nearby sights. One popular activity is the night march, in which participants walk in small groups across meadows and hills in the dark, with only flashing lights to show them the way.
This year our colleague Jano also took part in LSTME with his family, and together they enjoyed two weeks in Huty. Jano helped participants in the computing course and with the overall organisation. He was able to pass his many years of experience on to the younger generation and is already looking forward to next year. If the camp has caught your interest, registration for 2023 will open soon; you can follow the news at www.lstme.sk/novinky.
Read about how LSTME 2023 went.