Robot Inspiration

by Comments are off

 
  Robot Inspiration Robert Seith | CWK Network
 
 
  “The problem we have in our culture is we are not motivating these extracurricular academics to help people realize that this is where we need help, so they don’t go there.”

–

Glenn Allen, associate professor of mechanical engineering

–

  Related Information What Parents Need To Know Resources

Callie Reis, 17, and Brett Tucek, 18, say it’s one thing to listen to an advanced engineering lecture or solve a problem on paper, but it’s another thing to actually make your ideas come alive.

From remote control carriers that pick up objects and move them from one location to another to a 100-pound robot that can extend it’s arm to do pull ups and move around, they have spent dozens of after school hours in their robotics club seeing what they can build. These creations are part of a national robotics contest involving 500 schools.

“It’s absolutely essential, I think. A lot of times, especially in physics, it’s hard to conceptualize what you’re doing,” says Callie.

“My interest level was sparked a lot with this because (of) actually (being) able to see how everything I put on paper can actually work out in real life, and how I can apply the math and the science I know to real life problems,” says Tucek.

Learning math or science from a textbook or lecture is important, “but if they have not had a practical application those things are dry. They see no reason. ‘Why do I want to study calculus?’ Is there a reason for calculus?” says Glenn Allen, a professor of mechanical engineering.

But he says only a fraction of high schools have programs like this. “The real issue is that we are not motivating our young people. That’s the problem.” He says parents should push for extra-curricular academics, like this robotics club, and support them as much as sports. “The extra-curricular academics will motivate more students to success than all these athletic things they’re going to do.”

Callie and her teammates are about to enter their latest creation into a regional competition. They can’t wait. “You put it all together, and you have this amazing thing that’s working, and you end up winning the competition. It’s thrilling,” says Callie.
By Amye Walters
CWK Network, Inc.

BEST stands for “boosting engineering science and technology.” Two Texas Instruments engineers founded the organization (BEST Robotics, Inc.) in 1992. Their goal was to spark more interest in technology and engineering. In BEST’s first year, only 14 schools participated. Now over 700 schools compete in BEST events. About 8,000 students enter into competition each fall.

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a multinational, non-profit organization. Founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway Human Transporter, FIRST operates the FIRST Robotics Competition. In its initial year, FIRST had 28 teams. In 2004 the competition comprised more than 20,000 students on over 900 teams. Teams hail from across the globe, including Canada, Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, Great Britain and almost every U.S. state.

  • The number of students entering universities to study engineering is about the same as in 1970.
  • Two robotics organizations sponsor national competitions during the school year (BEST and FIRST).
  • BEST’s goal is maximizing the “pipeline” of future engineers, scientists and technical professionals.
  • FIRST aspires to transform culture — making science, math, engineering and technology as cool for kids as sports are today.
 
By Amye Walters
CWK Network, Inc.

Glenn Allen, a mechanical engineering technology professor, says, “We’ve got a crisis. You go out and count the number of football teams, baseball teams, basketball teams, soccer teams, and they’ve got county support, booster clubs. Our culture has created a network to support extracurricular athletics. This is extracurricular academics.” However, parental and community support for academic programs, like robotics, is often miniscule.

The benefits of academic competition are many. Robotics competitions: e nhance teacher effectiveness, reinforce classroom learning, create real-world academic challenges, increase students’ interest in and understanding of engineering and science and expose students to new career opportunities. Participating students learn about technical concepts and scientific principles and experience real-world engineering.

  • There is no cost for schools to compete in BEST.
  • In BEST competitions, participating schools are provided kits of equipment and parts, a set of game rules, and given six weeks to design, build and test a small Radio/Controlled (R/C) robot that outperforms other robots.
  • Local competition sites rely on financial support from corporations and/or colleges/universities in order to allow schools to participate at no cost.
  • Winning teams advance from local to regional to national competitions.
  • With FIRST, colleges, universities, corporations, businesses and individuals provide scholarships to participants. Teams enter a six-week competition, similar to BEST.
  • Look to BEST’s and FIRST’s websites for information on joining or starting a robotics team at your child’s school.
 

Atlanta Journal Constitution
BEST Robotics, Inc.
FIRST