Robotics summer camps to offer Arkansas students hands-on experience, open path into field
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will host robotics summer camps from June 8-26 for students entering grades 3 through 12. Registration is $180 and includes a t-shirt and snacks.
“Summer camps are a great opportunity for students to engage in a different type of learning approach,” said Sandra Leiterman, UA Little Rock STEM Education Center coordinator for the robotics summer camps. “Our robotics camps are designed to encourage self-confidence and independence in the context of learning new things and making new friends. Many of our students come back year after year and attend as many sessions as their age allows.”
Students can choose from four types of camps based on their current level of knowledge and learning goals. Each camp is taught by former high school VEX and current VEXU team members with over six years of experience in robotics.
- Robotics beginners entering grades 3-7 can learn VEX IQ robotics components, programming methods, and construction techniques at the VEX IQ Beginner camp June 8-12. Choose from morning (8:30-11:30 a.m.) or afternoon (1-4 p.m.) sessions.
- Advanced robotics students entering grades 3-7 can focus on advanced building and programming and the use of sensors at the VEX IQ Advanced camp. This camp is designed for students already familiar with VEX IQ robotics kits through exposure at school or last year’s robotics summer camp. Choose from morning sessions (8:30-11:30 a.m.) held June 15-19 or June 22-26.
- Middle and high school girls can engage with other girls at the Girl Powered VEX EDR camp, held 1-4 p.m. June 22-26. This camp aims to foster experiences that embrace diverse culture and fully incorporate girls into the field of robotics.
- Students ready to explore the worlds of engineering, robotics, and coding with the VEX Robotics Design System can get hands-on experience at the VEX EDR camp, held 1-4 p.m. June 15-19. The camp is open to all middle and high school students. Teams will build a robot frame and base, engineer its wiring, and program using ROBOTC software. The robots will compete in user-piloted challenges and obstacle courses, and autonomous robot challenges.
Competitions will be held each Friday for all camps. Family and friends are encouraged to attend.
The robotics summer camp program is sponsored by the UA Little Rock STEM Education Center. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/UALRVEXSummer or contact Sandra Leiterman at saleiterman@ualr.edu.
