Robots powered by STEAM
Published 9:43 am Friday, June 14, 2019
- Thomas Lynn | The Valdosta Daily TimesBlake Niewoonder, 13, working on a remote controlled robot he helped build and program during Valdosta State University's computing summer camp hosted by the STEAM Center.
VALDOSTA — With little more than some Legos and a smart phone, youngsters who participated in the Valdosta State University computing summer camp created working robots.
In the camp, middle school students built their own robots using Lego pieces and programed them using an Android app on their phones.
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Krishnendu Roy, head of the Department of Computer Science at Valdosta State University, said the STEAM Center at the college hosted the weeklong event that concluded Friday.
Roy said one of the projects the students participated in was creating an explorer robot that had sensors used to measure distances. These robots could detect obstacles and move around them on their own, he said.
The students programed the robots using Android apps developed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology for the purpose of teaching students how to use programing.
Roy said the skills the students learned will be invaluable to them in their future careers no matter what they decide to do later in life.
“Technology is everywhere in our lives,” Roy said. “Most people tend to be consumers of technology and not producers of technology. Our goal in this camp is making students interested in the process of creating technology.”
He said he hopes the camp increases their interest in science, technology, engineering and math fields, but regardless of what they choose, he knows they will leave with information that will be useful.
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Many of the local K-12 schools in Valdosta and Lowndes County are offering things such as robotics and programing, which makes Roy happy to see, he said.
When he first started the camp in 2010, that was not the case.
At that time, his main goal was simply to increase awareness in the field, he said.
“Now, I’m happy to know that I am augmenting that experience,” Roy said. “The students need to learn computer science and computing. Just that mind set of exploration and trying something new will serve them well when they are looking for a job after college.”
The camps are limited to 20 spots for rising 6-8 graders, and families are encouraged to apply early.
Thomas Lynn is a government and education reporter for The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be reached at (229)244-3400 ext. 1256
