Some of the robots climb hills and others tell jokes.
Students at the Virginia Robotics and Cyber Academy used their new coding skills to program robots to do a variety of activities.
The five-day robotics academy, through the Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities, served 24 high school-age students from across Virginia. It took place at the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired in Henrico County last Monday through Friday, serving students with disabilities ranging from blindness and low-vision to autism spectrum disorders and learning disabilities.
Christopher Freeman, a recent graduate of Meadowbrook High School in Chesterfield County, programmed his robot to perform stand-up comedy.
Freeman, who is interested in information technology as well as animation, said he knew nothing past basic Java coding prior to entering the academy.
They teach you step by step how to (make the robot), said Freeman, adding that he enjoyed the hands-on approach at the academy.
Students were selected to participate in the program based on their knowledge of math and science. However, students were not required to be competent in computer coding.
Students worked from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., with lunchtime dedicated to listening to speakers from Capital One who discussed career opportunities in information technology.
At a Friday celebration, instructors talked to parents about ways students can prepare for good jobs, while students showed off their robots.
Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities hosts academies throughout the year to help individuals from across Virginia gain experience in fields such as technology and manufacturing.
Virginia received a $4.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education in 2015 to help residents with disabilities gain skills and qualify for high-demand, high-quality jobs. It was one of four states to receive federal funding for this project. The others were Kentucky, Georgia and Nebraska.
We want to try to close the skills gap and create a pipeline of young adults with disabilities who are interested in working in the advanced manufacturing and information technology fields, said Emily West, project manager for Career Pathways.
The academies give the students a chance to see if they have the interest and aptitude in advanced manufacturing or information technologies, she said.
The five-year grant allowed the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services to partner with the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired to create the Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities.
The robotics academy curriculum was developed by the National Integrated Cyber Education Resource Center in Bossier City, La., which is funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to create and distribute free cyber and engineering curricula to public schools across the country.
We are using content that was pulled from our high school material, said Charles Gardner, curriculum development specialist at the National Integrated Cyber Education Resource Center. These kids are learning exactly what their traditional high school peers are learning.
However, the format in which they learn differs from the standard. The material is presented in a less visual manner, relying more on motion and sound than sight.
We are hoping that the adaptations that we have made here for people with disabilities to participate can be generalized to other camps across the commonwealth so young people with disabilities can participate, said Raymond Hopkins, commissioner of the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired.
Students use speech software, allowing them to listen to the computer to understand what is happening on the screen.
As a result of grant funding, students took their specifically designed computers, as well as the robots they created, home with them at the culmination of the academy.
Students created and programed each Gobot individually. The robots functions were mostly sound-based, so students could learn together during programming stages.
It has not just exceeded our expectations; it has exceeded their expectations, said Hopkins of the robot academy.
All the teachers and students are great, Freeman said. I would recommend (the academy) to anyone if I could.
The Virginia Robotics and Cyber Academy is the first information technology and cyber technology academy hosted by Career Pathways. Programs are three to five days. Many involve manufacturing work.
Excerpt from:
- Robotics Academy [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2016]
- KUKA Robotics | KUKA AG [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2016]
- Robotics - The Great Courses [Last Updated On: December 22nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 22nd, 2016]
- Robotics - reddit [Last Updated On: January 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 11th, 2017]
- Chatham Robotics Goes Undefeated and Moves On to State Championship - TAPinto.net [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Meridian robotics team gears up for Idaho FRC Regional - KBOI-TV [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Local robotics students headed to World Championship tournament - KOLO [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Report: Nearshoring favors robotics, will require heavy capital investment - Supply Chain Dive [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Belding hosts largest robotics competition in history of event - Greenville Daily News [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- First Tech Challenge: High schools battle in robotics competition - The Journal News | LoHud.com [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Robotics Team Takes Home Trophy at Lego Competition - Patch.com [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- OHS robotics club dazzles McKinley students - Southernminn.com [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Toyota Industries Acquires Warehouse Robotics Developer - Wall Street Journal [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- South High wins Volvo's robotics tournament - Herald-Mail Media [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Belding hosts robotics competition - Sentinel-Standard [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- CMS robotics program soars - SW News Media [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Update On The Megatrend of Robotics - CTOvision (blog) [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- 33C3: Edible Soft Robotics - Hackaday [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Shopping robots on the march in Ocado - BBC News [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Keller students Starstruck on robotics - Fort Worth Star Telegram [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Our obsession with robots keeps getting creepier - New York Post [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Rethink Robotics makes its workplace bots easier to train and redeploy - TechCrunch [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Donation will cover costs for Sequim robotic competition - Peninsula Daily News [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Derby Middle School robotics club competes at high school competition - The Derby Informer [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Raspberry Pi-powered arm: This kit aims to make robotics simple enough for kids - TechRepublic [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- WPI Robotics Team Has a Mission with Mars | News | WPI - WPI News [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Rehab robotics field promises to return control, mobility to aging population - ScienceBlog.com (blog) [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Rethink's Robots Get Massive Software Upgrade, Rodney Brooks So Excited - IEEE Spectrum [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Robotics: A robot that flies like a bat : Nature : Nature Research - Nature.com [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Robotics teams at CCS stay busy at tournaments - Imperial Republican [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Rethink Robotics rethinks its software | ZDNet - ZDNet [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Hartland robotics teams take on the FIRST Tech challenge at state competition - LC Sussex Sun [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Home-schooled students studying robotics - Valencia County News Bulletin [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Agility Robotics Introduces Cassie, a Dynamic and Talented Robot Delivery Ostrich - IEEE Spectrum [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Memphis robotics team headed to Super-Regionals - New Baltimore Voice Newspapers [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Patriot Robotics Alliance upsets Brentwood Academy Alliances - Clarksville Now [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Raptor legs & human hips: Giant leap for walking robots - RT [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- How drones and robotics may shape the future of conflict under President Trump - PRI [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Robotics teams wins at state meet - The Citizen.com [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Ford Bets $1B on Startup Founded by Waymo, Uber Vets - ABC News [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- South Beach robotics squad advances to super regionals - The Daily World [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Personal robotics the next technological revolution: Dr Vivian Balakrishnan - Channel NewsAsia [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- This bipedal robot could deliver your packages one day - The Verge - The Verge [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Robotics event offers lesson in teamwork - Lewiston Morning Tribune (subscription) [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Essex County Freeholders Honor Livingston Robotics Club Teams - TAPinto.net [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- College Town: WPI Robotics team aims for $1M NASA prize - Worcester Telegram [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Alice Shaw robotics team building invention to save wolves | Local ... - Lompoc Record [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Ford invests $1B in robotics startup in driverless car quest - CBS News [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Freshman Caldwell team takes first place in Regional Robotics Tournament - Idaho Press-Tribune [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- What went seriously wrong with Lily Robotics - VentureBeat [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Face off: Marion students compete in robotics competition - The Exponent Telegram (press release) (registration) [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Robotics Competition slated for Monday - San Angelo Standard Times [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Cornerstone Prep robotics team brings home trophy in first year - MDJOnline.com [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Center Grove robotics team headed to state competition - Daily Journal [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Hundreds piled into a Fort Mill gym. They cheered. They competed. They drove robots. - The Herald [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- My Turn: Arts education paved the way for girls' robotics win - AZCentral.com [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Young Alberta engineers face off in robotics showdown - CBC.ca [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Cougar robotics team advances to Super-Regionals - Times Bulletin - Times Bulletin [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- South Carroll Robotics teams compete at Maryland State Robotics Competition - Carroll County Times [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Cave Spring High School's Robotics Club wins in the First Tech ... - Roanoke Times [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- FIRST Robotics Competition - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Designing robots to look more like ostriches can solve a key problem for our future biped overlords - Quartz [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- More than 1000 high school students expected to Battlefield HS robotics tournament - PotomacLocal.com [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Event to look at Scotland's pivotal role in robotics - The Scotsman [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Kennett Coders to compete in NH State Robotics Championships on Saturday - Conway Daily Sun [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Are there enough robots? - Robotics Tomorrow (press release) [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois robotics team makes state tournament - Alton Telegraph [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Intuition Robotics raised $6 million for its ElliQ elder care assistant robot - TechCrunch [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Richmond robotics team gears up for districts - New Baltimore Voice Newspapers [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Microsoft lets you crash drones and robots in its new real world simulator - The Verge [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Makeblock's Lego-like 'Neuron' teaches kids robotics and code - Engadget [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- West Ridge robotics team maneuvers into national championship - Austin American-Statesman [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Immokalee High team set for robotics state championships Friday - Naples Daily News [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- What has Robotics got in store for our future? - RTE.ie [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Uber Is Becoming a Robotics Company, CEO Says - Yahoo News [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- 3Doodler's new kits help kids craft their own robots - Engadget - Engadget [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Magnetic Control Could Help Robots Navigate Inside Your Body - IEEE Spectrum [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Boston's new hub, MassRobotics, is like a WeWork for robotics startups - TechCrunch [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- 3Doodler announces a robotics kit, Star Trek and Powerpuff Girls ... - TechCrunch [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Chart: Are Robots Replacing High-Cost Workers? - Seeking Alpha [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]