Robots Rule at Classroom of the Future
CET Wed Sep 29 2004 

Robots ran the NASA-sponsored Classroom of the Future last weekend, and no one was complaining.

The Classroom of the Future hosted a free workshop on robotics Sept. 25. Educators, youth group leaders, and Girl Scout leaders from West Virginia’s Northern Panhandle learned basic techniques for building and programming robots.

Dr. Meri Cummings, science resource teacher and lab manager at the Classroom of the Future, guided the 11 participants. The workshop focused on LEGO^® robots and the ROBOLAB™ programming language. Instructors find this language relatively engaging to learn and teach because it uses icons to represent various parts of the robot, Cummings said. The Carnegie Mellon University-National Robotics Engineering Consortium allowed the workshop to use its Tank Bot and Bug Bot robot designs. Robots and extensions are constructed from LEGO parts. 

Workshop participants were introduced to two FIRST LEGO League challenges, last year's "Mission: Mars" and this year's “No Limits” challenge. FIRST LEGO League is an international program for children created in a partnership between FIRST and the LEGO Company. The annual challenge engages teams in hands-on robotics design and authentic scientific research. After eight intense weeks the FIRST LEGO League season culminates at high-energy, sports-like tournaments. In 2003 more than 43,000 students, including a team sponsored by the Classroom of the Future, participated in the program. Participants ranged in age from 9-14.

In Mission: Mars student teams build and program robots to retrieve ice cores, rescue a stranded rover, and move habitation modules among other challenges that simulate NASA Mars missions. For No Limits student teams think of ways to use robotics to ease the difficulties encountered by people with physical limitations. No Limits requires participants to manipulate a robot to pick up a CD, place balls into a basket, and feed pets in a scale model of a small community environment. Team building, problem solving, and creative thinking are essential skills in completing the challenges.

Educators participating in the workshop will be able to share their new skills with their students, many of whom will compete in the No Limits challenge later this year, Cummings noted.

Cummings said the workshop was a success, and that the group even requested follow-up training to offer more skill development, challenge activities, and advanced programming topics. “The ultimate goal of this program is to excite children not only about robotics, but also about the science, technology, engineering, math, and teamwork skills needed in this field,” Cummings said.

The Classroom of the Future-Girl Scouts robotics team, “Organized Chaos,” was recently awarded a grant by American Electric Power to buy more robotics kits to use in team events and future workshops. One university and three fourth and fifth grade members of the robotics team assisted workshop participants in troubleshooting their robot designs and programs.

Robotics giveaways for the workshop were courtesy of the NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium.

November 10, 2004