Sunday, July 24, 2011

LEGO Robotics Book out now and featuring the NYC group

Norm –

I want to share with you that the LEGO Robotics book I’ve been working on for the past 18 months finally was published and released at the recent ISTEConference (late June in Philly)…

– a section of the book presents interviews with “colleague experts” and (needless to say) the list of these reads like a roll call of New York City LEGO Robotics/FLL enthusiasts. Included are: Laura Allen, Mark Sharfshteyn, Mike Koumoulos, Chris Dudin, Ian Chow Miller, Evan Weinberg, Corbett Beder, Phil Firsenbaum (there are others I reached out to as far away as Hawaii, but these are the NYC folks you’d know)… some of them found their way to me and into the book via the announcement you put in the blog when I started the project. Again, if you can mention the release of the book I’d appreciate it. The book, by the way, is intended to provide background and first steps for teachers. It should help many, as it gives the: "LEGO Robotics? What is it? Why do it? Could I do it? Where do I begin? What do I need to know? To buy?" background info and advice... and on and on etc. etc. etc.

Please read the publisher’s description…

Thanks,

Mark

http://www.iste.org/store/product.aspx?ID=1690

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

FIRST Robotics Teams from New York City Public Schools to Showcase Robot Creations in the Sony Plaza Atrium on July 13-14

Good Evening Alumni and Friends,

Tomorrow and Thursday the Morris Campus FIRST Robotics team will be showcasing the 2011 robot at the Sony Wonder Technology Lab in NYC. Below is the press release sent out today.

Regards,

Gary

FIRST Robotics Teams from New York City Public Schools to Showcase Robot Creations in the Sony Plaza Atrium on July 13-14

NEW YORK, July 12, 2011 – Various high school students from the New York City area will showcase their award-winning robotic creations in the Sony Plaza Atrium at Madison Avenue and 56^th Street on July 13-14, 2011. The robots were created for the national FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition that took place from March 11-13 in the Jacob Javits Center in New York City, and will be on display for the public from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET each day.

Specifically, students from Morris High School Campus, Herbert H. Lehman High School, and High School for Computers and Technology in the Bronx will present their robots to the public and encourage visitors to interact with them in hands-on learning environment. Students will also share with visitors the mechanical and design challenges they faced in building the robots.

“At the Sony Wonder Technology Lab, we take great pride in allowing visitors to explore technology in a fun and engaging way, which is why we are thrilled to be hosting local students involved in the FIRST Robotics Competition again this year,” said Karen Kelso, Executive Director of the Sony Wonder Technology Lab. “Both organizations are committed to helping people discover just how rewarding technology can be, and we are delighted to be providing the general public with an opportunity to experience these students’ uniquely designed robots first-hand.”

The FIRST Robotics Competition is an exciting, multinational competition that pairs professionals and young people together to solve an engineering design problem in an intense and competitive way. The annual competition is open to the public and appropriate for all ages.

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway™, to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology. Based in Manchester, New Hampshire, FIRST designs accessible innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math.

The Sony Wonder Technology Lab (SWTL) is a free, four-story, interactive technology and entertainment museum for all ages. Located in mid-town Manhattan, SWTL inspires creativity in a high-quality, engaging, and family-friendly learning environment. By inviting visitors to experience the latest technologies in a hands-on setting, SWTL nurtures curiosity while awakening visitors to their own talent and potential. Through its permanent exhibits and innovative programs, including Sci-Tech workshops, ongoing screenings and associations with well-respected local non-profit and educational institutions, SWTL aims to educate and cultivate the next generation of leaders in media, science, technology and the arts. For more information, visit www.sonywondertechlab.com.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Amphibious Robot Snake

http://youtu.be/LZJslSbsLOU

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

NY Yankees & Curtis Granderson Honors Morris FIRST Robotics Team

Good morning friends and alumni,

Friday night the Morris FIRST Robotics Team ( 2TrainRobotics) was honored on the field at Yankee stadium prior to the game with the Cleveland Indians which the NY Yankees won 11-7. During the pre-game ceremony Curtis Granderson congratulated each member of the team. He then went on to hit a home run that night, another one on Saturday and then had 4 hits on Sunday. Granderson now leads the Yankees in home runs with 20. Could it be a coincidence or the magic of the 2Train?

Regards,

Gary

Wednesday, June 08, 2011

Revolutionary new teaching tool!

Hello Fellow Educators,

Here at the Robotics Academy we are developing multiple technologies and resources that you might want to consider for your classrooms. In this edition you will find:

Revolutionary new teaching tool!

“A Revolutionary Way to Learn to Program Robots!” That’s what a teacher said at our ROBOTC forum. “Wow, this is really cool.”; that’s what kids in classrooms say.

Carnegie Mellon is developing an innovative tool that enables kids to program robots in a game-like environment. You can download a free version of the Robot Virtual World programming software that your students can use at home or at school. The great thing about this software is that you can test your robots in the virtual world and then use the exact same code to program real robots. Teachers are free to use this free resource in summer camps, at home, or in other settings this summer.

Visit the Planet H99 site by going to www.cs2n.org/h99

This project is part of the development of our "Computer Science Social Network ". Computer programming and algorithmic thinking are new basics that all students need to understand. Our project provides students with opportunities to learn how to build animations and games, program robots, learn fundamental STEM concepts, and learn how multi-robot communications happens. The project started in September 2010 and we’ve already developed new technology that will change the way students learn.This project is inspired by DARPA. DARPA is looking out 10 years and predicts that based on the number of students currently studying computer science, we will only be able to fill 30% of the computer science related jobs that our country will need to compete economically. DARPA requests that we track student, teacher, and hobbyist usage and that is the reason that we ask you to login to get the free new Robot Virtual World Software.

New features, new robots, and a new planet

New game features include gripper arms on robots, access to light and touch sensors, four new challenges, the ability to accrue points and move to different levels, and an additional planet called H98. Pictured below is a new robot to program while you are on the planet.

New Mini Rover

NXT REM Robot

You will notice that it has similar characteristics to the NXT robot shown at the right; both robots have two drive wheels and a coaster. This robot has built-in encoders, a sonar sensor, and a compass sensor.

To learn more about the LEGO RVW click here.

To learn more about the VEX RVW please click here.

Helping Boy Scouts earn their new Robotics Merit Badges

Congratulations to the Boy Scouts of America on the creation of their new Robotics Merit Badge. The new merit badge will be a smash hit with boys across the world; the new merit badge appeared to be very popular at the recent Boy Scout Leader’s Conference in San Diego, California. At the conference, the Robotics Academy presented their plans to support the Boy Scouts as they earn the merit badge.

Click here to learn more about merit badge counselor classes, merit badge resources, and how the robot virtual world software can help scouts who don’t have access to robots.

Summer Robotics Teacher Training

Since 2003, Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Academy has offered robotics training to teachers across the country. This summer we will offer training on how to program Arduino, LEGO, and VEX robot controllers. Classes start the last week of June and run through August. We limit the number of attendees to 24 teachers per week.Teachers learn from Robotics Academy instructors and also from each other.

To learn more about classes click here!

LEGO “Robots in Motion” Curriculum Testing this Summer

Another ongoing research project in the Computer Science Social Network is the integration of a Cognitive Tutor into our newly developed “Robots in Motion” Curriculum.

The curriculum foregrounds measurement, angles, speed, scale, and rate as students learn to measure and make precise moves and turns using robots that come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

The AI-based tutor uses special algorithms to provide hints and measure a student’s mastery of STEM concepts as he or she works through a series of engineering design problems.

Try Robots in Motion now!

You can test the public preview of two units in the curriculum here!

If you don’t have a CS2N account, simply click "New User" to get started!

Attention Teachers: What do you want in your robotics report?

This summer, we are also soliciting design input into the next generation of teacher interfaces for the Robots in Motion curriculum. Is there some key graph of student data you’ve always wished you could see? What information needs to be front and center on a student's robotics progress report? If you have an idea for what we need to include in our Robots in Motion teacher reports, drop us a line at robotsinmotion@cs2n.org!

PLTW Summer Training

PLTW Teachers for the Principles of Engineering, Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Aerospace Engineering, and Gateway to Technology courses will receive training inROBOTC's new Natural Language to prepare them for their transition to the VEX Robotics system. To kick-off the training, a group from the Robotics Academy offered several workshops for the PLTW Master Teachers and Trainers, who will be training the rest of the PLTW network.

The Robotics Academy has committed to the continued support of the PTLW network through free webinars, curricular resources, forums and technical support. PLTW Teachers are also encouraged to attend one of the Robotics Academy's Online or On-site Training Classes.

Multi-Robot Communications in ROBOTC

It's not hard to imagine a world where robots are talking to each other. One part of the development of our Computer Science Social Network consists of a team conducting research around developing a combination of hardware, software, and curriculum that enables students to learn about Multi-Robot Communications. We have integrated libraries into ROBOTC for the LEGO NXT, VEX Cortex and Arduino Uno/Mega platforms.

The team’s plan for this summer is to demo and test the lessons and labs they have worked on with a group of teachers this summer. The technology that we are developing uses a low cost wireless Xbee radio to create a mesh network between different types of robot controllers.

The robots are able to pass small messages back and forth to create group intelligence and the ability to solve challenges that a single robot could not. To simplify this, the development team has begun building easy-to-use tools and commands into ROBOTC to make this technology accessible to all levels of programmers.

Take a sneak peak at some of the Video, Labs and Lessons on the team’s development Wiki are available at http://www.robotc.net/firewiki/. Check this part of the project often because we are expecting great work from this team this summer.

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Thursday, May 05, 2011

FLL Team #2357 - Thank you from World Festival!!

Registration for Food Factor Challenge is OPEN

https://gofll.usfirst.org/

2011 Food Factor Challenge: Keeping Food Safe
Releases September 2, 2011

Can FIRST® LEGO® League teams improve the quality of food by finding ways to prevent food contamination? In the 2011 Food Factor Challenge, over 200,000 9-16* year olds from over 55 countries will explore the topic of food safety and examine the possible points of contamination our food encounters – from exposure to insects and creatures, to unsterile processing and transportation, to unsanitary preparation and storage – then find ways to prevent or combat these contaminates. In the Food Factor Challenge, teams will build, test, and program an autonomous robot using LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT to solve a set of Food Safety missions as well as research, develop, and share their innovative food safety solutions. Throughout their experience, teams will operate under FLL’s signature set of Core Values.

*9-14 in the US and Canada

Related Information

Monday, March 14, 2011

Congrats to all Teams at Javits Mega Robotic Event- FLL Team Awards Award Winners

FLL Team Awards –2010/11 NYC Wide Tournament - Jacobs Javits

Robot Performance
9114 - 5th place - Robomind Tech – Robotbeta
1222 – 4th place – PS 94K Lego Amazon Warriors
864 – 3rd place – MS 67Q Bionic Bot
778 – 2nd place – IS 75SI Panthers 1
2357 1st place – Dalton

Teamwork
9584 – 5th place – Robomind Tech Robostars
3916 – 4th place – IS 289M Manhattan Youth
1070 – 3rd place – Manhattan East School for Academics and Arts – Team Me
3906 – 2nd place – St Clare School - Castaways
11415 – 1st place – PS/IS 128Q Juniper Valley – Cyborg C lan

Team Spirit
8675 – MS 216Q Ryan Lyons

Against All Odds
3714 – Friends Seminary FS NYC - Robo Owls

Judges Award
1221 – PS 94K Lego Master Blasters

Robot Design
3305 – 5th Place - PS 126 MAT/Chinatown YMCA - Matobot
3745- 4th place – Forest Hills Team – Mindtorms Mechanics
10599 – 3rd Place - East Harlem Tutorial – Little Warriors of Harlem
4559 – 2nd Place – PS 94Q – PS 94 Admiral Bots
3307 – 1st Place - Dalton School – Dalton 2 Motors

RESEARCH
9658 – 5th place – Edward Bleeker JHS 185Q – Bleeker Techies
3719 – 4th place – Forest Hills Robotics League – Planetary Forces
3903– 3rd place – St ClareSI - Heartbreakers
5681 – 2nd place – Packer CollegiateK – Dr Bob 1
7577 – 1st place PS 28M – Wright Brothers – Innovator

Champions Award
11793 – 5th place - Hunter College HCHS – Hawkinators
1222 – 4th place – PS 94K Lego Amazon Warriors
9114 – 3rd place – Robomind TechQ – Robo Beta
778 – 2nd place - IS 75SI – Panthers 1
2357 – 1st place – Dalton School – Dalton SWAT.

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All,

I will start by simply saying Thank You for all of the work that you have done this past year to make FLL a success in NYC. However, there is nothing simple about the work itself. The countless hours, above and beyond your day jobs, which you put in to make the Body Forward season a success cannot really be summed up into words of gratitude that would do them justice. All that I can say is that they are very much appreciated, by everyone around, but especially the kids (which is really what it’s all about and why we do what we do). I look at it from this perspective: Even if what we do helps steer the life of one child in the right direction, then it’s worth it. But I know that the work we do has an impact not just on one child, but hundreds of them…and that’s definitely something to feel good about.

In respect to this past weekend’s Javits extravaganza – IT WAS GREAT. Everyone who has come up to me as well as to some other volunteers has said that the event was the best one they have attended yet, that everything from a spectators point of view worked as it should have, and that the teams had a lot of FUN! We had some very good press, especially on Sunday (which I attribute, ofcourse, to the FLL/Jr.FLL events which were present, but then again I’m biased ;)

I hope that all of you took some notes about what worked, didn’t work, what worked but needs improvement, and everything in between for our debriefing.

Thank you all again for a spectacular season and all of your hard work and dedication.

Regards,
Mark

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Just wanted to send a quick note of thanks to everyone for making this past weekends tournament possible. My kids really enjoyed themselves. I hope you have all taken some time to rest and pat yourselves on the back. The event was truly remarkable.

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Hello all,

I wanted to take this chance to thank Liz, Greg and Mike for giving me the opportunity to take part as a FLL technical judge in this weekend's event--it was such a huge success!

I am happy that I was part of such a great and inspiring event. As a third-year Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering student, I have learned many complex concepts and theory when it comes to mechanical components and design. What I saw on Sunday, as presented by the students, really showed me that one doesn't need to go to college to learn those concepts. All one needs is the determination, passion and willingness to learn. I will never forget this lesson.

Please feel free to reach out to me for other events--I would love to continue participating.

Warm regards,

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I was there today. Great, fun & exciting atmosphere. I was a judge for FLL and I am proud to say that one of my groups won "The Team Spirit" award. Go team! So proud!
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I went today (can't go tomorrow unfortunately but I really did want to see those operations!) and it was mind-blowing! it was like a super sporting event with mascots and 'uniforms' and war paint, except that competing teams were NICE to each other! the diversity was uplifting, and the enthusiasm was contagious and inspiring. I felt like I was seeing the future in these kids and I actually wept. thanks Norm.