Office of External Communications

Houston, TX 77204-5017 Fax: 713.743.8199

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2007

Contact: Contact: Mike Emery
713.743.8186 (office)
713.415.6551 (pager)
pemery@uh.edu

Robots haven’t taken over the classrooms yet, but they’re already teaching students the value of science, technology, engineering and mathematics through a game called Botball.

The Texas Regional Botball Robotics Tournament returns to the University of Houston on March 24. Teams from Texas middle and high schools will construct and program robots using sensors, motors, software and LEGO® pieces. Teams then will compete against each other in a non-destructive game in which robots complete specific tasks on a 4-foot-8-inch board. Remote control devices are not allowed in the competition.

The event is presented by the Coordination of Robotics Education (CORE) Program in UH’s College of Technology.

“Robotics is a fun and educational way to show students that science and technology are viable paths for higher levels of study and for careers,” said Farrokh Attarzadeh, associate professor of engineering technology. “If we want to build a strong technical workforce for the future, we encourage today’s children to follow these paths from a very early age.”

According to a recent study, students who participate in youth robotics programs are significantly more likely to attend college on a full-time basis, major in a science or engineering field and pursue a career in science, technology or engineering.

For additional information or to become a CORE partner, contact Karen Cohen, CORE program manager at
713.743.1855 or kcohen2@uh.edu. Event and volunteer information is available on the CORE Web site at http://core.tech.uh.edu/.

For more information about UH visit the university’s ‘Newsroom’ at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom.