Bethlehem / PNN / In an era defined by artificial intelligence, robotics and rapid advances in science and technology, children in Dheisheh refugee camp in Bethlehem are finding their way into the future despite the absence of scientific institutions or incubators in camp life.The founders of Reel Academy for Science and Technology Skills have launched a pioneering programme designed to introduce refugee children to artificial intelligence, robotics and futuristic issues such as life on Mars. The initiative, they say, is aligned with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.Iyad Abu Alia, projects director and one of the leaders behind Reel Academy, said the programme targets children aged five to 19, focusing on building their skills in robotics and AI. The academy currently hosts eight teams preparing for national qualifying rounds in Birzeit next month, which will lead to the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) in Singapore in October. Other teams are getting ready to represent Palestine at a science forum in Slovenia in mid-September.Abu Alia explained that the idea emerged from the needs of camp children, who lacked access to specialised science institutions and whose families could not afford costly technology programmes. With support from the local community, the academy was established to fill this gap. Today, around 100 children take part in its activities across three main labs, while another 100 remain on the waiting list pending the launch of a fourth lab.This summer, the academy organised a unique camp for children aged five to seven that combined play, guidance and technical education, which parents widely praised. The first training cycle, called Robo Starter Sumo, allowed children to design and programme their own crash vehicles, empowering them to build their own games instead of merely buying them.“The academy helps children feel that they are part of the world and capable of creating solutions to complex problems,” Abu Alia said. He noted that last year’s global challenge focused on reducing pollution, while this year’s tasks explore investment on Mars and preparing it for human life, all directly tied to the UN’s goals.Ten-year-old participant Mustafa Iyad Abu Alia described his experience in the Juniors section, which simulates life on Mars. Alongside his teammates, he works on tasks such as transporting water through programmed systems, adjusting solar panels, operating drones, and transferring research samples to labs. “I’ve learned to use tools like Word Blocks and Icon Blocks, to programme robots and apply sensors and motors in different ways,” he said.Yet the academy faces major challenges, primarily a shortage of tools. A single computer is currently shared among 18 children, forcing them to work in shifts. Funding remains another obstacle, with no official sponsor apart from limited support from a few institutions and individuals, including camp native Majed Faraj.Abu Alia stressed that the academy’s main goal is to transform children from consumers into producers while equipping them with 21st-century skills. The team hopes the academy will one day grow into a larger educational hub, offering every Palestinian child the chance to learn and innovate in AI and robotics.This story was produced as part of the Qarib Programme, implemented by the French Media Development Agency (CFI) and funded by the French Development Agency (AFD).