Robots for Kids
Homeschool
students win competition
Homer, an underwater robot built by five Northern Michigan homeschool
students, took first place in a competition for remotely operated
vehicles (ROV) in Alpena. By winning the regional meet, hosted
by the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the students qualified
for an international competition this June in Newfoundland. By
Ryan Bentley News-Review.
About
How
to Make Your Nanorover
Instructions and diagrams from NASA on how to make a Nanorover
from styrofoam meat trays.
Robotics Education
Project
NASA's REP works to capture the educational potential of NASA's
robotics missions by supporting educational robotics competitions
and events, facilitating robotics curriculum enhancements at
all educational levels, and maintaining a web site clearinghouse
of robotics education information.
Rover Ranch
A place to learn about robotic engineering. You can learn about
the development of robots, their elements and systems, and use
a 3D VRML simulation to build and run your own robot.
Amateurs
Robot Cafe
Huge site with all you need to help you build robots and find
other hobbiests.
Robotics
Homeschool mom gives advice and tips about creating a robotics
workshop and tips on how to calmly work with children and tools.
Robotics
Mailing List
For anyone interested in general discussion related to robotics.
List members include homeschoolers and other educators, parents,
programmers, engineers, and those involved with robotics clubs
and activities from across the country. Founded by TAFFIE, a
Texas homeschool mail list.
Competitions
BotBall
The robot competition that engages students in learning science,
technology, engineering, and math.
First Lego League
Teams use LEGO bricks, sensors, motors and gears to construct
and program a fully autonomous robot capable of completing different
missions while maneuvering around the 4 foot-by-8 foot FLL Playing
Field. For 9-14 year olds.
FIRST Robotics Competition
Open regional event registration starts November 15, 2002 at
9:00 AM EST! An annual design competition that brings professionals
and young people together in teams to solve an engineering design
problem in an intense and competitive way.
Robofest
Lawrence Technological University's Robofest is a computerized
robotics contest in which 5th - 12th grade students design, construct
and program their robots while learning problem-solving techniques,
mathematics, logic, creativity, physics, electronics, mechanics,
teamwork, computers and computer programming.
Robot
Combat
Whether you are building a robot for combat or just to watch
one move around, this is your site. Built inexpensively with
recycled materials for the most part, by an amateur tinkerer.
Robotics Competitions
A great way to learn more about robotics is to enter a competition.
Here is a list of the robotics competitions we know about for
middle, high school and college ages.
Professionals
Bomb Squad
Futuristic robots are used to go into dangerous situations where
people shouldn't be sent. Site has some movies of robots and
a game. From NOVA.
JPL
Robotics
See what robots the Big Kids at the Jet Propulsion Lab are playing
with these days.
Kismet:
A Robot for Social Interactions with Humans
It is possible to have a socially sophisticated human assist
the robot in acquiring more sophisticated communication skills
and helping it learn the meaning these acts have for others.
MIT
Robot Pike Project
Here at the MIT Towing Tank we are building robotic fish. The
aim of these robots is to help us learn more about the complex
fluid mechanics that fish use to propel themselves.
Robotics:
Robot Art: Clayton Bailey
Bailey has built over 100 life-sized robot sculptures out of
found objects. He says, "I like to build beauties and monsters.
I want to build robots that entertain and educate." VR tours.
RobotWorx Robot Videos
Children may be interested in watching these movies of practical, industrial robots doing real work. Robots don't mind doing work that is dangerous or boring to humans!
Software
Microsoft
Robotics Studio
A Windows-based environment for academic, hobbyist and commercial
developers to easily create robotics applications across a wide
variety of hardware. Free to download.
Toys
Furby Autopsy
Did your Furby die after about 3 days of totally obnoxious behavior?
Here's complete instructions on how to take him apart and see
how he worked.
Lego Mindstorms
Lego company's site, with technical support and invention ideas
for Mindstorm enthusiasts.
Virtual
Robots
Robot Constructor
Try your hand at designing your own virtual robot, and then put it to the test in one of our hazard-filled Zones! If that's too easy, build your own Zone or download one designed by other users.
Robotics: Sensing,
Thinking, Acting
Control a robot with your arrow keys. Debate about the ethics
of using robots. Learn about the history of robotics. From TheTech
Museum.
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