In Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, a group of young students gathers around tables with simple wires, electronic components, and basic circuit boards. Through an initiative called the Next Gen Team: Rising Robotics Engineer Project, children are learning how to integrate sensors, program electronics, and build early-warning devices. Despite frequent electricity outages and severe equipment shortages, these students are developing practical technology skills that could one day help rescue workers locate people trapped under rubble or detect gas leaks and fires.
One participant is 16-year-old Hamza al-Atrash, who uses an Arduino controller—a small programmable board that connects sensors—to build prototype safety systems. Hamza explained that the lack of devices will not stop the cohort from learning, but instead pushes them to find creative solutions using whatever basic tools remain. Bahaa al-Masri, head of the project's training team, noted that while pre-war technology incubators previously helped young innovators develop their ideas into full ventures, trainers are continuing their mission to nurture local talent despite the destruction of facilities.
The practical lessons provide rare educational continuity at a time when Gaza's broader schooling and technology sectors face heavy destruction. Local estimates indicate that 17 higher education institutions have been completely or partially destroyed since October 2023, preventing about 620,000 high school students and 90,000 university students from pursuing standard education. Meanwhile, Ahmad Abu Qamar, an economic affairs specialist with the Palestinian Economists Syndicate, estimates that Gaza's information technology sector now operates at less than 25 percent of pre-war levels, with over 70 percent of tech companies halting operations. Despite these severe obstacles, young learners remain determined to keep up with global technology advancements.