Kids’ robotics registration open for Fox Valley, Batavia

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Fox Valley Robotics and Batavia Robotics (FVR/BR) registration is open for their 21st season this year with new robotics challenges for kids in first through 12th grades.

Fox Valley Robotics and Batavia Robotics activities from last season will be repeated in the 21st season. Information for registration is on page 18 for all participating grades. Submitted photo

• The LegoWolves Division for first through third graders will take on the new challenge “SuperPowered”. These young kids will work with LEGO® pieces to construct a robotics model which relates to their current challenge which involves exploring the world of energy – where it comes from, how it is used, and problems in the their communities. The kids will culminate their season in March in an event which celebrates their hard work and fun they had displaying their robotic models and poster boards about energy sources and energy consumers.

• The 4th-8th grade LegoDogs Division will be working on First’s® “SuperPowered”. Kids will use teamwork and imagination to solve problems involving sustainable energy. Limited only by their imaginations these teams will try to provide direction for a better future for everyone. This year’s energy theme addresses global challenges related to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #7, focused on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. In the SuperPowered Challenge, teams will build, test, and program an autonomous robot using LEGO® Mindstorms® to solve a set of missions as well as research, develop, and share their innovative “energy” solutions.

In the 8th-12th grade Coyotes Division, there are two different competitions that the kids can participate. The Vex® Spin Up is played on a 12’x12’ square field. Two alliances – one red and one blue, composed of two teams each, compete in matches consisting of a 15-second autonomous period followed by 105 seconds of driver-controlled play. The object of this fast-paced game is to attain a higher score than the opposing alliance by tossing discs in high and low goals, rotating spinners, and seeing how much field space the robot can cover at the end of the game. The other challenge for the Coyotes Division will be presented from FIRST® and is released in early September.

The goals of the above programs are to have the kids think beyond the box and to have fun. The programs allow the kids to go beyond simple box instructions and to formulate the why and how on their own with guidance from instructors and mentors.

“Creativity and ingenuity has no limits when it comes to robotics and what these kids can learn and accomplish” said Dee Karabowicz, a mechanical engineer and one of the lead instructors for the organization. “Imagination is their only limitation.”

Info meetings for those who want more details or interested in joining are scheduled for Saturday Aug. 20 at 3 p.m., and Sunday Aug. 21 at 1 p.m. at Rotolo Middle School, 1501 S. Raddant, Batavia. Enter at doors N11. The organization is host to events monthly, October through February with 30 to 60 teams attending in different robotic challenges.

The FVR/BR group is celebrating its 21st year of robotics for kids. Batavia Robotics has been around since 2002, and adopted the name Fox Valley Robotics in 2007. As a not-for-profit, multi-community based organization, they are recognized by many schools and school districts in the area for their quality STEM-based programs and provide kids through-out the year the ability to explore the world of robotics with a variety of programs. Registration is open. For more information, please visit www.foxvalleyrobotics.com.

— Fox Valley Robotics and Batavia Robotics

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