Robot Camp for Kids

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For Immediate Release
Contact: Carol Ehlers
NW 4-H Youth Development Field Specialist
Sac County Extension 712-662-7131
xehlers@iastate.edu

February 1, 2007

Robot Camp for Kids…exploring robotics and having fun!
Students, grades 4-6th, will participate in activities to design and build robots at an upcoming Saturday, February 10, 2007 “Robot Camp for Kids!” lead by ISU Engineering Students and the ISU Extension Area 4-H Technology Team. The 1:00 PM to -4:30 PM 4-H technology camp will be held at the ISU Buena Vista County Extension Office and Area Education Agency Meeting rooms located at 824 Flindt Drive in Storm Lake. Registration flyers were given to all 4-6th grade students in the county and surrounding schools with a February 7th deadline for registration.

For students in grades 4-6th the program is designed to build interest in engineering, science, technology and math, said ISU Extension 4-H Youth Field Specialist, Carol Ehlers. Campers will have the opportunity to work with ISU engineering students and Northwest Iowa 4-H Tech Team members throughout the afternoon. They will learn about robot mechanics with the 4-H Tech Team members to serve as camp counselors. This camp’s challenge will feature robots made by the campers that will then attempt to complete an obstacle course. Campers will demonstrate their robots during a friendly competition on the final hour of camp. The fee for campers who are not 4-H members is $15 with 4-H members paying $5, which includes all program materials and snacks, a camp photo and certificate.

“We are looking for boys and girls curious about learning,” said Ehlers. “Campers don’t have to know about robotics to sign up; the 4-H Tech Team will guide them through the challenges.” "We know the importance of science and technology is growing," says Carol Ehlers, 4-H Youth Development Specialist, with Iowa State University Extension. "So we are going to help equip participating youth with the skills they need to enter the 21st-century workplace." “Young people can find their engineering and creative skills at this cool Robotics camp, Ehlers says. This is for students who like solving mathematical equations, enjoy the mechanics of making things work or a young person who is simply an aspiring computer programmer. “

The camp will allow participants to work in small teams to design, build, program and test their own autonomous robots using the ROBOTIX system. Robotix is a motorized, futuristic construction system built on principles of real Robotix engineering. With imaginary interlocking, interchangeable parts, motors, the campers will power and control their own robot creations.
Youth in grades 4-6th have until February 7th to complete a camp application and pay a camp fee of $15 for non-4-H members and $5 for 4-H members to secure one of the 30 Robot Camper spots. Camp flyers were sent home to all 4th-6th grade students in the Buena Vista County schools. Camp details and the camp application can be found at the ISU Buena Vista County Extension Website: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/buenavista/
Camp information can also be obtained by calling the Buena Vista County Extension Office at 712-732-5056.

The “Robot Camp for Kids!” is a part of a Northwest Iowa initiative of the NW 4-H Youth Technology Team. The group currently consists of 12 teenage youth and 2 adult volunteers whose mission is to experience and share educational technology opportunities to youth at county and area levels. The NW 4-H Tech Team is being sponsored by ISU Extension 4-H Youth Development Program, ISU Program for the Women in Science and Engineering, ISU Extension Science Engineering and Technology program and a grant from Rockwell-Collins.