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Ruckus At Robotics Camp

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By LINNEA BROWN

Published: August 1, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - It started with foot-stomping. Then clapping. Then the chorus of Queen's "We Will Rock You" filled the air, and one lone young teenager began belting out the words.

Seconds later, the song trailed off and the battle began. In a lively game of "King of the Hill," tiny remote-controlled robots fought to gain points in a blocked-off, carpeted area of the school's library. Several dozen kids sat around the perimeter of the circle in chairs, shouting and cheering on their team.

In a corner, other students fiddled with wheels and disconnected wires, intent on "saving" their team's industrial-looking machine from inherent doom.

"Where would we be without the singing?" joked instructor Aaron Kinkaid.

Welcome to robotics camp at Nature Coast Technical High School.

This year marked the second year of the camp, meant for any local third- through ninth-graders with an interest in science and technology. Nearly 30 campers paid $125 each for a week's worth of robotics activities and games, led by 17 "mentors," or high school students from Nature Coast's robotics club.

With the mentors acting as camp counselors, the students used $800 robot kits — on loan from Nature Coast's engineering department — to build small, vehicle-like robots. At the end of the camp, they carefully deconstructed their contraptions, with parts that will be reused again and again when school starts.

"This isn't like RoboWars," Kinkaid said, citing a popular TV show where robots demolish each other. "This is more of a cooperative robotics camp."

Since the mentors volunteer and no new equipment is purchased, the camp also serves as a fundraiser for the district's robotics team, Team 1612 or "The Robo-Sharks."

Last year, the team placed third overall of 43 teams at the collegiate-level For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics Competition in Atlanta, Ga., and was only 10 points away from qualifying for the national finals.

Kinkaid, who teaches engineering, drafting and manufacturing at Nature Coast, said the camp helps everyone involved.

The older students earn community service hours and gain leadership experience, while the younger students get exposure to the practical applications of science and technology. They also begin building a résumé at a young age and move on easily to higher-level applications, such as automation and solar power, he said.

"These are the kids who will be building our houses and (designing) our cars," he said. "I don't know about you, but I want my home to be safe and my car to be fuel efficient."

In a hobby more commonly dominated by boys, the camp also drew participation from seven girls. All of them said they enjoyed the week of robot-building, and said they hope to use the skills in other areas.

"I think it's really interesting and fun to do," said Savanna Eley, 12, who hopes to become a surgeon.

Alanna Eley, 14, said she is interested in aerospace engineering, and hopes to work at NASA one day.

Aside from mechanical skills, the camp also aimed to teach strategy, value judgment and analytical points, with much strategizing before the last day's competition.

"As long as a kid can handle the science and math of it, they can build a robot," Kinkaid said. "It's a lot of fun. You get to play with things all day."

The district's Team 1612, based at Nature Coast, is open to any local students who have an interest in robotics.

Since 2007, the school has also been running its own robotics competition. While aimed at high school students, the school has more recently been inviting middle school students to the school to learn the "ins and outs" of building a robot and competing.

The school hopes to start a competition for elementary school students in the future.

Reporter Linnea Brown can be reached at 352-544-5289 or lbrown@hernandotoday.com.

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