More schools need "robotic" learning

David Cohen:

The images in the slideshow above are all pictures that I took at the 2011 and 2012 FIRST Robotics Competiton Silicon Valley Regional. (FIRST stands for "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology"). I've taken my sons to this event for four years now, partly to encourage my school and my participating students, and partly because it's fun watching six robots zooming around and smacking into each other in a race to lift and place large inflatables, or play basketball, balance on a ramp or zoom up a pole.

If I've posted this online, then we're on our way to the San Jose Event Center to watch the first day of this year's competition, which is called "Ultimate Ascent" - yes, frisbee time! Watch the animated film below to see this year's game.

But actually, the main reason I keep coming back to this event is that I love watching education in action. On the surface, it's all fun and games, as long as you're a kid who understands robotics, computers, engineering, CAD, and a variety of other technical and mechanical skills. If you look at the slideshow above, you can see there are great things happening here among the students, audience, coaches and mentors, referees and event organizers.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at April 8, 2013 1:26 AM
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