This week April 9-17, 2011 is National Robotics Week. Events across the country promote robotics and what this field can offer young children.
Starting today in Marion, Ohio (between Cleveland and Columbus) is the National Robotics Challenge. One event in Marion will be Robo Hockey, which will have two robots working as a team to play hockey. Admission is only $5 for adults and $3 for students.
The purpose of National Robotics Week is to:
- Celebrate the US as a leader in robotics technology development.
- Educate the public about how robotics technology impacts society, both now and in the future.
- Advocate for increased funding for robotics technology research and development.
- Inspire students of all ages to pursue careers in robotics and other Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math-related fields
Robotics is a growing high-tech job field in the US, helping improve healthcare, national defense, homeland security, energy, manufacturing, logistics, transportation, agriculture, education, consumer goods, and many other sectors. As well, it provides an exciting, hands-on way for students to learn Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
If you’re interested in learning robotics, take a class in LEGO WeDo Robotics or LEGO MindStorm NXT Robotics. Camps allow children to learn from instructors and peers about motors, gears, sensors, and computer programming, all while fun playing with LEGOs.
Tell us about your experiences with robotics events and competitions in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you.
