NORFOLK, Neb. -- Over the past year, a collaboration between the Norfolk Public Library and Northeast Community College’s iHub has been in the works.
With a focus on robotics and automation in the iHub, the goal has been to engage with elementary students this summer. Hosted at Norfolk Public Library, these sessions presented programming logic, motors and sensors, and how to control their robots.
With a need for skilled technicians, designers, and programmers to grow Nebraska’s manufacturing and agriculture sectors, these camps gave elementary and junior high students the opportunity to learn in a fun and engaging way.
When the iHub opens, dedicated lab space will be available for on-going classes and workshops to introduce manufacturing and robotics to students at an earlier age.
A total of four sessions took place for students who registered for the four-day camps. The workshops were set up for students with little to no experience with robotics.
The first week used the LEGO Spike Prime platform to introduce programming structure, sensors, and movement functions. Students each assembled a quality control checking robot on the final day to inform the user of the correct element it was seeking.
During the second week, junior high students used the VEX EXP platform to be introduced to programming, spatial awareness, and using sensors. On the final day of camp, students participated in a mock competition with programming their own robot to autonomously move a game object into a scoring zone before having a period of driver control.
For those who may have missed these camps, opportunities in the area exist for those interested. These robotic platforms used are also found in local clubs and teams in Norfolk and the surrounding areas.
Local schools and groups utilize and compete in F.I.R.S.T LEGO League (FLL), F.I.R.S.T. Tech Challenge (FTC), CREATE Open, and VEX Robotics Competition (VRC). These various robotic platforms have upcoming seasons starting this fall, with state championships scheduled each spring.
If your school or organization would like more information on robotics, ways to partner with iHub, and robotics outreach this upcoming year, contact members of the iHub team, Erin Sorensen at esorensen@northeast.edu or Henry Goeden at hgoeden@northeast.edu .
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Zach Pfeifer, an eighth-grader at Norfolk Catholic, was among the participants at the seventh and eighth grade VEX Camp. (Northeast Community College)
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