Engineering and Robotics Summer Camps at HCC- Brandon Campus

PRLog (Press Release) - Mar. 30, 2012 - Florida Advanced Technological Education (FLATE) Center, the National Science Foundation Center for high-tech manufacturing is partnering with Hillsborough Community College (HCC) and the School District of Hillsborough County to offer several robotics camps for middle and high school students this summer. The camps will be held in the student services building at HCC’s Brandon campus, and are designed to introduce middle and high school students to the world of robotics and automation and explore its applications in both industrial and personal settings. The middle school camp consists of incoming 6-8th graders. The high school camp is designed for incoming freshmen to high school seniors. Cost for each, week-long camp is $150.

Schedule and list of camp offerings include:
•   June 18- 22:    Introductory Camp for Middle School GIRLS ONLY!
•   June 25-29:    Introductory Camp for ALL Middle School students
•   July 9-13:       Engineering Camp for ALL High School students
•   July 16-20:     Advanced Camp for ALL Middle School students

During this exciting program, students will learn how to reconfigure LEGO MINDSTORMS Robots and program them to follow specific commands, be part of robotic team challenges, learn design techniques utilizing software programs and the operation of a 3D printer to produce prototype parts. According to Dr. Marilyn Barger, executive director of FLATE the summer camps capture the interest of middle and high school students by following the current trend of robotic applications used throughout the entertainment media. The curriculum is a mixture of Lego educational materials that are integrated with Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) subjects and modern manufacturing, and are conducted in a competitive problem solving environment. Campers also develop a knowledge base of modern manufacturing, robotics design and programming while adding to team building experiences. “In particular, FLATE and HCC are reaching out to girls to continue to build their interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics” Barger said.

For information on registration and the week-long camps visit www.fl-ate.org/projects/camps.html, and www.madeinflorida.org. You can also contact Desh Bagley at camps@fl-ate.org.

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FLATE is a National Science Foundation Regional Center of Excellence, committed to ensuring Florida has a well prepared workforce for advanced and emerging technologies. Created in 2004, FLATE is one of 46 Advanced Technological Education Centers in the United States funded by the National Science Foundation focused on improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and training to meet the needs of American advanced technology industries. For more information visit www.fl-ate.org.