ROBOTS TO INVADE HOFHEINZ PAVILION AT
UH
Hundreds to Gather at Botball Robotics Tournament
The University of Houston’s Center for Technology Literacy
will host the 2004 Texas Regional Botball Robotics Tournament at
Hofheinz Pavilion from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, March 6. This
robotics competition is designed to introduce middle and high school
students to science, mathematics, engineering and technology in
a fast-paced, competitive environment. The event is free to the
public and is expected to attract hundreds of teachers, students,
spectators and robotics professionals from across Texas.
Student teams are required to build a fully autonomous robot, as
well as program it to execute specified missions. While technical
skills of course are key, students learn communication, cooperation,
teamwork, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well.
These are real world tools that students need for success, not only
in high school and college, but also in the workforce.
Founded by the KISS Institute for Practical Robotics at Oklahoma
State University, so-named for the philosophy ‘keep it simple
stupid,’ this botball tournament gives students hands-on experience
to design, build and program their own mobile robots. Specialized
kits are provided that include sensors, motors, customized robot
computers, LEGO® pieces, software and documentation. Schools
are given the equipment for use in the classroom after the tournament
is complete.
Once the robots are built, the botball game is played on a four-by-eight-foot
board where robots score points by placing foam balls into scoring
positions. Requiring a robot with brains, no human intervention
or remote controls are allowed meaning that students must rely solely
on their computer programming skills.
To become involved or obtain more information on other robotics
education events in Houston, please contact Taresa Mikle at 713-743-1855
or visit www.texastechnology.com/robotics.
WHO: |
UH Center for Technology Literacy |
WHAT: |
Texas Regional Botball Robotics Tournament |
WHEN: |
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, March 6 |
WHERE: |
University of Houston
Hofheinz Pavilion
Cullen Boulevard at Holman Street
Parking available in Lot 15D |
To receive UH science news via e-mail, visit www.uh.edu/admin/media/sciencelist.html
For more information on botball, please visit www.botball.org
For more information about UH visit the universitys Newsroom at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom.
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