COEHS Robotics Summer Camps

History of Robotics/Technology Camps at Murray State University

Murray State University's College of Education and Human Services Robotics Camps were established in 1998 by Dr. Tom Lough. From inception, the week-long day camps were for students incoming in grades 4-8. These camps used the LEGO® RCX "programmable brick" for its robotic activities. The camps then switched to the LEGO® NXT "intelligent brick" as the basis for the robotic projects. This sophisticated system emphasizes the programming aspects of robotics and offers a wide variety of engineering and modeling possibilities.In 2010, a NEW level of robotics camp was established. For the first time, camps were offered for rising first, second, and third graders! This camp used the new LEGO® WeDo robotics system that offered many exciting activities and robotic models. Also in 2010, a special afternoon advanced session was offered for rising ninth, tenth, and eleventh grade students that was quite successful. In 2011, Dr. Brandi King became the director of the camps and expanded camp options to include Advanced WeDo camps for younger students, as well as Minecraft and programming classes for older students.In 2016, the College of Education and Human Services' Robotics Camp legacy was continued by the Kentucky Academy of Technology Education (KATE). With the addition of Minecraft, Coding, and STEM camps the program's title was updated to reflect the variety of camp options that are now available. KATE will continue to develop new camps, while updating existing camps, in order to reach even more students.