Academics > Colleges/Schools and Departments > College of Education > COE Youth Programs > COE Robotics Summer Camps > About the Camps
About the Robotics Camps
The LEGO® WeDo robotics system is designed for younger children. A
special building set includes regular LEGO® pieces as well as specialized
items, such as a motor, light and motion sensors, gears, and pulleys.
With a USB interface, the motor and sensors can be connected to a
computer. The LEGO® WeDo software allows campers to develop a program to
control the motor as well as respond to the sensors. This is an example
of what is called a tethered robotic system, where the robotic model is
always connected to the computer by the USB cable. The campers build and
program many exciting models with this system, such as the drumming
monkey shown here.
Advanced WeDo Camps:
This camp utilizes the same technology as the regular WeDo camp. It is designed for children who have attended the WeDo camp before. Even if your child is advanced and/or has played with LEGOs® extenstively, they do not need to attend this camp without attending the regular WeDo camp first. Students will use skills from the first camp, which deal with robotics, as well as LEGO® design, to construct much more difficult and time-consuming models.
The LEGO NXT is a robotics system with an intelligent
brick that has its own central processing unit (CPU), memory, power
supply, display panel, and speaker. It also includes connections for
three output devices (such as interactive servo motors) and four input
devices (such as sensors for touch, light, sound, and motion). The unit
is powered by six AA batteries or a chargeable power pack. It has a
series of "studs" that connect to LEGO building elements, allowing the
construction of a robot models. Control programs can be composed with
special software and downloaded to the NXT. The robot model can then
operate independently of the computer.
Advanced NXT Camps:
This camp utilizes the same technology as the regular NXT camp. It is designed for children who have attended the NXT camp at least 2 times before and grasped all of the components, including independent build and sensors. They will use skills from the first camp to design and build much more complex machines that accomplish specific tasks.
NEW CAMPS FOR 2013
Literacy through LEGO®s:
This camp utilizes non-robotic LEGO® kits that help 5-and-6- year-old children build spatial, gross and fine motor, comprehension and creative skills. Children’s literature will be read and students will work together, using LEGOs to recreate components from the stories. This camp helps prepare children for the skills needed in WeDo robotics.
Advanced Programming:
This camp is meant for students who have attended at least two NXT camps. It is geared more toward older students who can understand the logic and patterns of traditional line-by-line coding for programming. Instead of using the visual programming from previous years, students will write the code for their robots in order to make them complete advanced tasks.
Digital Robotics Design and Task-Creation:
This camp is meant for students who have attended at least two NXT camps. It is geared toward older students who can use their creativity to design robots on the computer and create a task to be completed. Once the tasks and robots have been designed, students will share their designs with other students who will build the robots and complete the tasks.