Robotics revs up students

By SHARI L. BERG Eagle Staff Writer

July 05, 2004 Last Updated: January 06, 2005 12:14 PM Community

Technical class challenges kids

BUTLER TWP - It may look like nothing more than a pile of Legos, but when Victoria Matthews is done with it, it will take on a life of its own.

The 12-year-old was part of a robotics class held June 22 through July 2 at Butler County Community College for children in grades six to 10.

On the next to the last day of class, Matthews and her fellow robotics-engineers-in-training assembled miniature robots consisting of Legos and computer software.

Matthews, of Grove City, said she wanted to take the class because she used a similar program at home on her computer and she likes it.

"And I like building with Legos with my brother, too," she said.

The children had several robot designs from which to choose.

Matthews decided on the Funky Chicken and the Widebot.

"The Funky Chicken's head twirls in circles and the (Widebot's) head follows light," she said.

Eleven-year-old Adam Lovette, of Cranberry Township, was assembling the Missile Turret robot model and the Nellie model.

"Nellie looked like a challenging (design) and so did the other one," he said. "And I like a challenge."

Lovette said he wanted to take the class because it would help him in his future career.

"I like robotics and I think they're cool," he said. "When I get older I want to be a part of NASA so this might be a good start."

Bessie Jeffries, a BC3 math instructor and the robotic camp's instructor, said this is the first year for the program at BC3.

BC3 was able to participate in it because it is a partner of the PRIME initiative, a consortium of educators and manufacturers in the Western Pennsylvania region.

"(PRIME) has been doing it all this year as part of its initiative and we were able to get on the bandwagon and offer it here," she said.

Jeffries said the camp attracted 10 children, which was a good number for its first year.

"We were lucky to have gotten 10 for our first time," she said.

The children who participated learned how to construct a robot using Lego Mindstorm Kits and CNC programming using Mastercam software.

There were no prerequisites for the program, but students who enjoy math and science will probably like it more than those who are not fond of the two subjects, Jeffries said.

"This is pretty technical stuff," she said. "But you don't have to be a genius to take it."

Jeffries said she was excited the program had come to BC3 and hoped to be able to continue to offer similar programs in the future.

"We need this in our region," she said. "We need the technology for the kids."

Jeffries said her goal is to expand it into an after-school program for this fall if there's enough interest in it.

Anyone who is interested in seeing the course expanded or would like their child to participate can call Jeffries at 724-287-8711 or e-mail her at bessie.jeffries@bc3.edu.