The 411 on The 411 on Robotics ProgramsRobotics Programs

Robotics make Robotics make students students

STRETCHSTRETCH S =S = SkillsSkills T =T = TeamworkTeamwork R = Real worldR = Real world E =E = ExcitingExciting T =T = TechnologyTechnology C = CompetitionC = Competition H = Hands on H = Hands on

WHY ROBOTICS?WHY ROBOTICS?

What Robotic Programs are Available?What Robotic Programs are Available?

EARLY – Elementary age EARLY – Elementary age students, remote students, remote controlled robot; websitecontrolled robot; website

JFLL – ages 6-9; design JFLL – ages 6-9; design & poster; & poster; website

FLL – ages 9-14; building FLL – ages 9-14; building & programming LEGO & programming LEGO Mindstorm kits; websiteMindstorm kits; website

VEX – Middle and high VEX – Middle and high school; school; website

TCEA – elementary and TCEA – elementary and secondary schools; secondary schools; website website

BOTBALL – Middle and high school ages; Robot BOTBALL – Middle and high school ages; Robot on modified Game Boy Advanced. Training on modified Game Boy Advanced. Training workshop & Competition. Great for kids who love workshop & Competition. Great for kids who love to program; website to program; website

BEST – middle and high school; detailsBEST – middle and high school; details FIRST – high school ages; web; videoFIRST – high school ages; web; video

ROBOTICS PROGRAM PREPARATIONROBOTICS PROGRAM PREPARATION

Register Team with FLLRegister Team with FLL Register for local tournamentRegister for local tournament Acquire kits & suppliesAcquire kits & supplies Outfit robotics activity roomOutfit robotics activity room Recruit studentsRecruit students Recruit parentsRecruit parents Establish season schedule and learning Establish season schedule and learning

objectivesobjectives

Where to do robotics?Where to do robotics?

Any room will do, however big and open is the bestAny room will do, however big and open is the best Classroom, homes, garages, library meeting room, Classroom, homes, garages, library meeting room,

corporate conference roomcorporate conference room Tables not desksTables not desks Computers required (1 per group) (at least 1laptop Computers required (1 per group) (at least 1laptop

to facilitate travel to competitions)to facilitate travel to competitions) Some place to store robot table (4’X8’)Some place to store robot table (4’X8’) Cabinets to secure items or bins to go homeCabinets to secure items or bins to go home

Benefits beyond trophiesBenefits beyond trophies

Typical Team DescriptionTypical Team Description Grades mixedGrades mixedGT, regular ed., and GT, regular ed., and Special ed. mixedSpecial ed. mixedFirst time and repeat First time and repeat students mixedstudents mixed

Returning students Returning students grouped and receive grouped and receive additional challenges additional challenges Organized chaos Organized chaos Loud learningLoud learningFunFun

Competitive OpportunitiesCompetitive Opportunities Junior First Lego League (JFLL)Junior First Lego League (JFLL) BEST BEST HISD robot challenge (Spring/Fall)HISD robot challenge (Spring/Fall) First Lego League (FLL) First Lego League (FLL) HISD Impact II Inventor ContestHISD Impact II Inventor Contest Botball Botball Shell Schlumberger Sea Turtle Competition (Vex Platform)Shell Schlumberger Sea Turtle Competition (Vex Platform) FIRSTFIRST FIRST VEXFIRST VEX TCEA RoboticsTCEA Robotics MATE ROVMATE ROV

EquipmentEquipment

FLL EquipmentFLL Equipment First Lego League Team Registration $200First Lego League Team Registration $200 First Lego League Field Set up Kit $65First Lego League Field Set up Kit $65 NXT robot kit via First Lego League $325NXT robot kit via First Lego League $325 Registration for local tournament $65Registration for local tournament $65 Table materials $35Table materials $35 Estimated Total: $690Estimated Total: $690

Other Robot System KitsOther Robot System KitsVEX starter kit $299VEX starter kit $299Botball kit and registration $2300Botball kit and registration $2300First materials and registration $6000First materials and registration $6000BEST = Free!!!BEST = Free!!!

Funding IdeasFunding Ideas

The following funding sources have supported The following funding sources have supported youth robotics programs.youth robotics programs. Parent and/or Parent Employer Donations Parent and/or Parent Employer Donations Local Businesses – distribute a brochure or letter Local Businesses – distribute a brochure or letter

asking for support with consumables and equipmentasking for support with consumables and equipment Ecophones pays for batteries through recycling prog. Ecophones pays for batteries through recycling prog. PTOPTO Donors Choose (A recent successful appeal got Donors Choose (A recent successful appeal got

funding for 2 GPS units and 2 NXT kits)funding for 2 GPS units and 2 NXT kits) BP Grant (Educator recently was awarded 2 video BP Grant (Educator recently was awarded 2 video

cameras, 2 robot kits, and a laser printer)cameras, 2 robot kits, and a laser printer) Best Buy – 5 NXT kits and 1 lap topBest Buy – 5 NXT kits and 1 lap top

ROBOTICS PROGRAM LIFE CYCLEROBOTICS PROGRAM LIFE CYCLE

ProgramProgram

ImplementationImplementation

Program Program

GrowthGrowth

Program Program

PreparationPreparation

Research Research

& &

DevelopDevelop

Robotics Prog. Dev. – Yr. 1Robotics Prog. Dev. – Yr. 1

2 Robotics kits (1 corp. donation/1 school purchase)2 Robotics kits (1 corp. donation/1 school purchase)10 students in after school program10 students in after school programEducator taught middle school scienceEducator taught middle school scienceOvertime paid through after school program fundsOvertime paid through after school program fundsOne salvaged laptop One salvaged laptop Equipment stored under table and against wallEquipment stored under table and against wallTraveled to one out of town contest and one local Traveled to one out of town contest and one local

contestcontest

Year 2 Program GrowthYear 2 Program Growth

After school program continued (20 students)After school program continued (20 students)One elective class added (30 students)One elective class added (30 students)Added 3 robotic kits (teacher grant)Added 3 robotic kits (teacher grant)Competed in FLL contestCompeted in FLL contestCompeted in one additional local contestCompeted in one additional local contestPTO grant received for additional equipmentPTO grant received for additional equipmentStarted discussions with administration about Started discussions with administration about

growth of number of robotics classesgrowth of number of robotics classesBegan storage/security systemBegan storage/security system

Year 3 Program GrowthYear 3 Program Growth

After school program and single elective class After school program and single elective class continuedcontinued

Built up inventory of kits and supplies by adding Built up inventory of kits and supplies by adding robotics kitsrobotics kits

Competed in two local tournaments, one for FLL Competed in two local tournaments, one for FLL and one for Botball.and one for Botball.

Participated in Botball through receipt of $1200 Participated in Botball through receipt of $1200 “new team” scholarship from KIPR“new team” scholarship from KIPR

44thth Year Program Development Year Program Development

Robotics becomes a full time course entitled, Robotics becomes a full time course entitled, “Thinking Skills”“Thinking Skills”

Course is elective for middle school Course is elective for middle school 180 students, 6 classes, 30 students per class180 students, 6 classes, 30 students per classAfter school program endsAfter school program ends5 computers in classroom 5 computers in classroom 5 groups/teams in each class (6 per team)5 groups/teams in each class (6 per team)Robotics tables built and donated by local bizRobotics tables built and donated by local bizParent support team solidified to manage Parent support team solidified to manage

computers, plan travel, cheerlead and fundraise. computers, plan travel, cheerlead and fundraise.

55thth Year Program Year Program

Full time program continuesFull time program continuesFocus on Fundraising to buy additional kits, new Focus on Fundraising to buy additional kits, new

types of robots, sensors, software, cameras, books, types of robots, sensors, software, cameras, books, and consumables. Grants from new sources such and consumables. Grants from new sources such as local community association, internet sources, as local community association, internet sources, Innovative grant, and Best Buy TEACH grant.Innovative grant, and Best Buy TEACH grant.

6 classes, 30 kids = 180 students per day6 classes, 30 kids = 180 students per dayCompeting in multiple contestsCompeting in multiple contestsParental support team fully functionalParental support team fully functional

Robotics Club or Enrichment ClassRobotics Club or Enrichment Class

Need stable locationNeed stable locationDelegate fundraisingDelegate fundraisingNurture parental involvement for logistics and team Nurture parental involvement for logistics and team

supportsupportMaintain coaching postureMaintain coaching postureUp to 10 per teamUp to 10 per teamGive experienced or returning kids additional Give experienced or returning kids additional

learning challengeslearning challengesCompete, give demonstrations, have fun!Compete, give demonstrations, have fun!

Lockable Cabinets Lots of Clear Boxes

Student / Teacher Labor Small Piece Solution # 101

Keeping it GoingKeeping it Going

Constant press about team Constant press about team Sponsor contact, pics and thanks you’s. Sponsor contact, pics and thanks you’s. GrantsGrants Get organized and stay organized. Get organized and stay organized. Establish goals at beginning with kids and Establish goals at beginning with kids and

parents. Review periodically and at end of parents. Review periodically and at end of season. Do lessons learned. season. Do lessons learned.

If you are tired, recruit someone to take it over, If you are tired, recruit someone to take it over, rather than letting it die. rather than letting it die.

Questions?Questions?