COOKEVILE, Tenn. (June 23, 2004) — A new three-day summer camp held July 11-14 for boys and girls hosted by Tennessee Tech University offers campers a chance to build their own robots.

The camp, ROBOTECH 2004, will allow participants to work in small teams to design, build, program and test their own autonomous robots using the LEGO Mindstorms Robotics Invention System. For students entering grades 5-8, the program is designed to build interest in engineering, science, technology and math, said camp director Ken Hunter.

“We are looking for boys and girls curious about learning,” said Hunter. “Campers don’t have to know about robotics to sign up, we will guide them through the challenges.”

Campers will have the opportunity to work with Tennessee Tech engineering
professors as they learn about robot mechanics, robot sensors and programming.
Tennessee Tech engineering students will serve as camp counselors. This summer’s challenge will feature robots cleaning up a hazardous chemical spill. The robots will activate an alarm system, retrieve a chemical sample, deliver cleanup supplies and move chemical drums.

Campers will demonstrate their robots during a friendly competition on the final day of camp. Parents will be invited to attend the competition and awards ceremony.
The fee for campers who stay overnight is $295, which includes all program materials, room and meals for three days, snacks, a camp T-shirt, camp photo and certificate. For day-campers, the fee is $245.

ROBOTECH 2004 is sponsored by TTU’s School of Interdisciplinary Studies and Extended Education.

For more information or to register, call 931-372-3175 or e-mail khunter@tntech.edu.


--Karen Lykins
This information posted 28 June 2004