The 411 on Robotics Programs

1
The 411 on Robotics Programs
2
WHY ROBOTICS?

• Robotics make students
• STRETCH
• S Skills
• T Teamwork
• R Real world
• E Exciting
• T Technology
• C Competition
• H Hands on

3
What Robotic Programs are Available?

• EARLY Elementary age students, remote
  controlled robot website
• JFLL ages 6-9 design poster website
• FLL ages 9-14 building programming LEGO
  Mindstorm kits website
• VEX Middle and high school website
• TCEA elementary and secondary schools website
  

4

• BOTBALL Middle and high school ages Robot on
  modified Game Boy Advanced. Training workshop
  Competition. Great for kids who love to program
  website
• BEST middle and high school details
• FIRST high school ages web video

5
ROBOTICS PROGRAM PREPARATION

• Register Team with FLL
• Register for local tournament
• Acquire kits supplies
• Outfit robotics activity room
• Recruit students
• Recruit parents
• Establish season schedule and learning objectives

6
Where to do robotics?

• Any room will do, however big and open is the
  best
• Classroom, homes, garages, library meeting room,
  corporate conference room
• Tables not desks
• Computers required (1 per group) (at least
  1laptop to facilitate travel to competitions)
• Some place to store robot table (4X8)
• Cabinets to secure items or bins to go home

7
Benefits beyond trophies
8
Typical Team Description

• Grades mixed
• GT, regular ed., and Special ed. mixed
• First time and repeat students mixed
• Returning students grouped and receive additional
  challenges
• Organized chaos
• Loud learning
• Fun

9
Competitive Opportunities

• Junior First Lego League (JFLL)
• BEST
• HISD robot challenge (Spring/Fall)
• First Lego League (FLL)
• HISD Impact II Inventor Contest
• Botball
• Shell Schlumberger Sea Turtle Competition (Vex
  Platform)
• FIRST
• FIRST VEX
• TCEA Robotics
• MATE ROV

10
Equipment

• FLL Equipment
• First Lego League Team Registration 200
• First Lego League Field Set up Kit 65
• NXT robot kit via First Lego League 325
• Registration for local tournament 65
• Table materials 35
• Estimated Total 690
• Other Robot System Kits
• VEX starter kit 299
• Botball kit and registration 2300
• First materials and registration 6000
• BEST Free!!!

11
Funding Ideas

• The following funding sources have supported
  youth robotics programs.
• Parent and/or Parent Employer Donations
• Local Businesses distribute a brochure or
  letter asking for support with consumables and
  equipment
• Ecophones pays for batteries through recycling
  prog.
• PTO
• Donors Choose (A recent successful appeal got
  funding for 2 GPS units and 2 NXT kits)
• BP Grant (Educator recently was awarded 2 video
  cameras, 2 robot kits, and a laser printer)
• Best Buy 5 NXT kits and 1 lap top

12
ROBOTICS PROGRAM LIFE CYCLE
13
Robotics Prog. Dev. Yr. 1

• 2 Robotics kits (1 corp. donation/1 school
  purchase)
• 10 students in after school program
• Educator taught middle school science
• Overtime paid through after school program funds
• One salvaged laptop
• Equipment stored under table and against wall
• Traveled to one out of town contest and one local
  contest

14
Year 2 Program Growth

• After school program continued (20 students)
• One elective class added (30 students)
• Added 3 robotic kits (teacher grant)
• Competed in FLL contest
• Competed in one additional local contest
• PTO grant received for additional equipment
• Started discussions with administration about
  growth of number of robotics classes
• Began storage/security system

15
Year 3 Program Growth

• After school program and single elective class
  continued
• Built up inventory of kits and supplies by adding
  robotics kits
• Competed in two local tournaments, one for FLL
  and one for Botball.
• Participated in Botball through receipt of 1200
  new team scholarship from KIPR

16
4th Year Program Development

• Robotics becomes a full time course entitled,
  Thinking Skills
• Course is elective for middle school
• 180 students, 6 classes, 30 students per class
• After school program ends
• 5 computers in classroom
• 5 groups/teams in each class (6 per team)
• Robotics tables built and donated by local biz
• Parent support team solidified to manage
  computers, plan travel, cheerlead and fundraise.

17
5th Year Program

• Full time program continues
• Focus on Fundraising to buy additional kits, new
  types of robots, sensors, software, cameras,
  books, and consumables. Grants from new sources
  such as local community association, internet
  sources, Innovative grant, and Best Buy TEACH
  grant.
• 6 classes, 30 kids 180 students per day
• Competing in multiple contests
• Parental support team fully functional

18
Robotics Club or Enrichment Class

• Need stable location
• Delegate fundraising
• Nurture parental involvement for logistics and
  team support
• Maintain coaching posture
• Up to 10 per team
• Give experienced or returning kids additional
  learning challenges
• Compete, give demonstrations, have fun!

19
(No Transcript)
20
Lots of Clear Boxes
Lockable Cabinets
Small Piece Solution 101
Student / Teacher Labor
21
Keeping it Going

• Constant press about team
• Sponsor contact, pics and thanks yous.
• Grants
• Get organized and stay organized.
• Establish goals at beginning with kids and
  parents. Review periodically and at end of
  season. Do lessons learned.
• If you are tired, recruit someone to take it
  over, rather than letting it die.

22
Questions?