2014 Sonoma County Robotics Challenge
Author: Rick Phelan
Published: 10.23.13
The 2014 Robotics Challenge is Saturday, May 3. The Sonoma County Office of Education and Lego Education are proud to sponsor this interactive student event, now in its 12th year. This successful project engages grade 4-8 students in hands-on math and science learning. Hundreds of students participate each year.
The project spans the months of December through May. December and January are spent building capacity among the teachers and volunteers who will work with students at local schools. In late January, the specific competitions for the year’s Robotics Challenge will be announced. These events are designed to attract the interest of student teams from beginner through advanced levels.
Examples of competitions from prior years include Sumo, Line Following, Free Form, and Drag Racing. When this year’s competitions are announced in late January, students will study the guidelines and begin developing responses at local school meetings. From February through April, support workshops will be offered at various locations in Sonoma County to help teams implement their robot designs.
The culminating experience will take place at the May 3 Robotics Challenge where students compete by matching their robots and ideas. An eight-minute video documenting the competition is available at www.scoe.org/robotics.
Learn More
If you’re a teacher, parent, or school volunteer ready to learn more about the Robotics Challenge, the specifics of using Lego Mindstorms kits, or strategies for working with a cadre of enthusiastic robotics students at your school, consider signing up for one of the following sessions.
Sonoma County Robotics Orientation | Offered online, via WebEx
Wednesday, November 13, 2013 | 3:30-4:30pm | Registration
- Information topics will include a general orientation, cost of robot kits, best practices for after-school programs, and support resources.
Introduction to Working with Lego Mindstorms NXT Kit
Thursday, December 5, 2013 | 10:00am-3:00pm | Registration
- Designed for those who are completely new to robotics, this course addresses Lego construction techniques and plans, programming with NXT software, and strategies for working with student groups.
Lego Mindstorms RCX and NXT Refresher Course
Wednesday, December 11, 2013 | 1:00-4:00pm | Registration
- Geared toward those who have had experience with either the RCX or NXT programming brick, this workshop reviews construction plans, programming with RoboLab and NXT software, and strategies for working with student groups.
Blog: Technology for Learners
