Melbourne’s outer east robotic enthusiast, Jasper Van Eijk has been making waves in the world of robotics – proving age is just a number when it comes to pursuing one’s passion.
From a young age, Jasper displayed a keen interest in robotics and engineering, now he has a local team of robotics in Boronia and they are calling on the community for financial support to help them move to the next stage.
Jasper and his team have started a gofundme page but more is needed to reach their goal.
The 17-year-old home-schooled student has impressed everyone around him with his array of skills and experiences that are taking his journey from tinkering in his garage to competing in the World Robotics Championships in Houston have been a testament to his dedication and hard work.
With a thirst for knowledge and a drive to make a difference in the world of mechatronics, he has embarked on a journey of self-directed learning, pursuing university-level subjects through Open University while being registered as a home-schooling secondary student.
Jasper’s involvement with ICRobotics, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting kids passion in the STEM field has been instrumental in honing his skills and passion.
Since 2021, Jasper has been an active member of IC, where he has collaborated with the team in designing, building, and programming robots for the first Robotics Competition (FRC) – a challenging international program aimed at inspiring young minds to pursue careers in STEM fields.
“We’ve been invited go to schools and teach kids of various ages about different engineering activities, run workshops, and coding,” Jasper said.
“Our work has exposed so many kids to STEM and various engineering aspects…our goal is to try and spread them more into the community and hopefully we can run more STEM activities up in the hills.”
The team’s dedication and hard work paid off when they came second in the Sydney first Robotics competition in March and securing a spot in the World Championships.
However, this achievement comes with a financial burden.
The team requires funds to send not only the team members, mentors, and a few parents but also to transport the robot and all equipment required to compete on the world stage.
Jasper’s mother, Dani Ford has been home-schooling his son ever since he started school.
She said the only reason she was able to get his son into this programme was because of her as a home-schooling mum.
“The research went for almost 18 months because I couldn’t find any local information in the hills,” she said.
“There are thousands of home schoolers up in the hills area that could benefit from the workshops that Jasper and his team are running.”
The small non-profit team have full robotics kits which they often donate to schools and students to try and help them run sessions or compete.
Jasper’s contributions to community projects such as ‘Camp Amazon’ and STEAM workshops with Westfield, in collaboration with his team at IC Robotics has shown his commitment to giving back and inspiring the next generation of innovators.
Ms Ford has faith her son’s progress in the fields of robotics will inspire many in the community to pursue their passion.
“There’s at least two or three team members that are up in the hills that potentially could be running a full STEM programme for locals,” she said.
These initiatives are a testament to the team’s collaborative spirit and dedication to promoting STEM education within the community.
One of his team’s most notable achievements was the launching of a new regional FRC robotics competition in partnership with Blackburn College.
Not only did Jasper and his team compete in the competition, but they also mentored rookie teams, assisted with setup, and provided support throughout the event.
Jasper’s passion for robotics extends beyond competitions and community projects.
He has been actively involved in volunteer work through organisations like The Philanthropic Collective, where he has contributed significantly to initiatives such as the free food program and storm recovery efforts in the Dandenong Ranges.
With a diverse skill set that includes proficiency in Computer-aided design (CAD) software, hand and power tools, 3D printing, and more – Jasper has proven himself to be a versatile and invaluable asset to any team.
His strong problem-solving abilities, effective communication skills, and commitment to continuous learning make him a standout in the field of robotics.
As Jasper merges to the next step at the World Robotics Championships in Houston on 16 April, his friends, families and community support will be right behind him.
A local fundraiser has been launched to support Jasper and his team as they embark on this incredible journey, representing not only Sassafras but the spirit of innovation and determination that defines the community.
Jasper’s story serves as an inspiration to aspiring engineers and young minds everywhere, proving that with passion, dedication, and hard work, anything is possible.
As he gears up to compete on the world stage, we wish Jasper the best of luck and look forward to seeing him continue to make his mark in the field of robotics.
For more information about Jasper’s journey or to contribute to the fundraiser, please contact 0428 265 086.
