The San Jacinto College of Pasadena, TX, in conjunction with the National Science Foundation, is hosting a series of week-long summer camps called Robot Extravaganza. In these camps, eight and ninth graders are participating in problem solving, field trips and projects that focus on the fascinating world of robotics! This is Robot Extravagnaza’s second year, and this year they are offering three levels of difficulty in their courses. We applaud the teachers, students and parents involved in the planning and participation of this camp! The Bots4Tots teams sends a resounding “holla at ‘cha”! 

The Robot Extravaganza planners and partners, such as the N.S.F., want not only to introduce today’s young American student to the fascinating world of technology, but moreover to engage and educate him/her in that world. The goal is to prepare the coming generation of professional minds in such a way that, as their hobbies perhaps evolve into careers, they can make an impact on and improve the technology of our world.

“This program is interested in addressing such questions as:  What does it take to effectively interest and prepare students to participate in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce of the future?  What are the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that students need in order to participate productively in the changing STEM workforce and be innovators, particularly in STEM-related networked computing and information and communication technology (ICT) areas?” source

The students are using the Lego System Mindstorm’s NXT kits; they are making robotic arms, anthropomorphic robots, canimorphic robots (that’s “robot doggies” in layman’s), and they are even designing and creating their own robots as well!

“And, it can even get a little competitive: after building their own robots, campers are told to build a difficult maze. ‘The first task is can they themselves go through their own maze, and the second is can they go through their opponents’ maze,’ [camp director Johnny] Moya said.” source

See for yourself:

Also, a local news channel in Texas featured this unique camp this week. You can see a video clip from that feature here!

File this under super cool! Based on Lego System’s Mindstorm NXT kits, this sphere uses the magic of geometry and gravity to move with a surprisingly simple construction! Check out the specifics here, and maybe make one to freak out your dog or cat! This project was constructed by Nils Völker, who evidently has a great sense of humor about his work. From the main page of his Spherical Robot site:

“At the moment it’s remote controlled via Bluetooth from a second NXT. So to be precise it’s actually not a real robot more kind of a Rolling-Orbital-Bluetooth-Operated-Thing (to make it short: robot). But seriously: It’s planned to implement the ability of moving autonomously later on. And to answer the most obvious question right away: No, there is no deeper sense or purpose, but a lot of fun driving it.” source

Granted, this is not a real robot. We understand that. We respect that. We don’t expect anyone to believe that Lego’s “Robo Attack” set is anything more than a toy robot. It is not a robotic toy.

That being said…  

Yes, it has light up bricks.
Yes, the robot is giant.
Yes, the set includes townspeople for general running and screaming.
Yes, Dr. Inferno (the evil genius) has a mechanical arm, and ways to make a quick getaway in the event of meddlesome good guys.

…this is so cool. That is all.

We won’t deny it; Don and I love us some Lego, but when we found out about the FIRST Lego League, we fell in love with Lego all over again! FIRST holds a number of competitions, with leagues forming for kids as young as six, and they are heavily focused on bringing robotics and electronics to children. We applaud their monumental efforts in bringing together kids from all over the world under their common interest in robotics!

Founder Dean Kamen:  ”Our mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.” 

Well said!

Click here to learn more about the FIRST Lego League, for kids ages 9-14, or here to join/start a team for the 2009 event! If your child has particiapted in a Bots 4 Tots workshop and is interested in exploring robotics further, please consider recommending joining a local team to continue his or her adventure in learning!