Robofest eNewsletter, 1-30-13

 

(1) Robofest 2013 Team Registration is Open

(2) Free Workshops for Robofest Teams

(3) Warm UP

(4) Control Group Needed for Educational Research

(5) NXT lease available for teams in Michigan

(6) MCWTF winners

(7) NDIA-MI Scholarship

(8) Please return L2Bots

(9) Robofest is Seeking Sponsors for 2013 Competition

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(1) Robofest 2013 Team Registration is Open

Robofest 2013 season has kicked-off! Coach and Team registration is open on the web at www.robofest.net (and click on 2013 link). We have also posted a Zip file containing all of the important official finalized documents for this season, including the PowerPoint presentation from the Kick Off meetings on the website. Register early and consider registering for an early date site that will have more tickets to advance to the next level. We need more teams at COBO Center site on March 20 in Detroit!

 

(2) Free Saturday Workshops for Robofest Teams

-- Feb 2, 9am~Noon, NXT-G for Game (for beginners) at LTU

-- Feb 2, 1pm~4pm (EST, New York Time), NXT-G for Game (for beginners), Interactive Online Workshop using Wimba

-- Feb 9, 9am~Noon, NXT-G for Game (for beginners) at LTU

-- Feb 9, 1pm~4pm, NXT-G for Exhibition at LTU

-- Feb 16, Noon~3pm (EST, New York Time), NXT-G for Game (for beginners) Interactive Online Workshop using Wimba

-- March 2, 9am~4pm, (Tentative) L2Bot with C# and OpenCV

 

To reserve seats, please email Teri Dubois at [email protected] with your team ID, site name your team is registered under, and number of students coming.

 

For online workshops, the direct link will be on our website at www.robofest.net at least 30 minutes before the workshop. We recommend you test the connection before the workshop.

 

L2Bot workshop date for VCRC will be announced later.

 

(3) Warm Up

Bring your Robofest Game team to Warm Up on February 23 from 2:30 -6:00 PM at LTU. This program is open only to teams already registered at a qualifying competition, and spectators will not be allowed. This is to ensure that your robot and program are not subject to being copied by teams looking for ideas. If you would like to participate, please register by Wednesday, Feb. 6. Space is limited, so be sure to register early. (No team registration fees for Warm Up)

 

(4) Control Group Needed for Educational Research

Robofest is doing a controlled experiment to measure the impact of Robofest on STEM learning.

We are in need of teachers with students in the 5th to 12th grades who have not participated in any robotics competitions. If you are a teacher or know a teacher who would be willing to have their students take a short online math and science assessment, please contact Dr. Chris Cartwright, Associate Professor of Math at LTU, at [email protected]

Participating students may win raffle prizes.

 

(5) NXT leasing available for teams in Michigan

For new teams, Robofest office is offering Lego NXT robot lease program. Please contact Chris Parker, [email protected] for more details.

 

(6) MCWT Foundation 2013 Robofest Grant Winners

The Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation is pleased to announce its 2013 Robofest Grant Winners. Each of the following teams will receive $500.

-- Operons, Detroit Collegiate Prep, Ms. Sandra DeJoie

-- Davison Dragons, Davison Middle School in Detroit, Ms. Georgetta Johnson

-- Hoben HOT, Hoben Elementary in Canton, Mr. Tom Wiseman

-- Tech Chicks, Marcus Garvey in Detroit, Mr. Craig McKee

-- OLL Team 133-1, Our Lady of the Lakes HS in Waterford, Ms. Mary Cottrell

-- CPR: Central Park Robotics, Miller Elementary in Canton, Mr. Srinivas Raju

-- Trombly Robo-Terriers, Trombly Elementary in Grosse Pointe Park, Ms. Susan Howey

-- RoboKatz, Burton International in Detroit, Ms. Branti Holland

 

Because of the generous support of our Partners, the Foundation is able to increase the number of grants this year to eight (8). We look forward to seeing these teams in action at Competitions. The MCWT Foundation is proud to be a Silver sponsor of Robofest at Lawrence Tech University. Please visit our website: www.mcwt.org The Foundation tab provides information about the programs for K-12 girls and about our college scholarships. MCWT Foundation�s mission is to assist and encourage young women and girls to consider Information Technology careers.

 

(7) NDIA-MI Scholarship

The NDIA Michigan Chapter is offering scholastic scholarships of up to $1,500 per recipient to competitive high school and college students pursuing an education in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) for the 2013 - 2014 academic year. To be eligible, applicants must be a U.S. citizen; have Michigan residency or active military parent serving in Michigan; have current or planned enrollment in pursuit of a STEM-related BS or MS degree program; possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 (basis 4.0 scale); demonstrate a growing interest in college preparatory studies; and be active within the school or local community. Applications will be accepted on-line starting mid-December through February 28th, 2013.� Please visit: http://www.ndia-mich.org

 

(8) Please return L2Bots!

If you borrowed an L2Bot from LTU, please return it to the Robofest office. We appreciate your cooperation.

(9) Robofest is Seeking Sponsors for 2013 Competition

In an effort to keep Robofest an affordable, yet highly educational competition for everyone, we are seeking sponsors for the 2013 season. If you or your organization is interested in helping to support the important work of Robofest, please email [email protected]. Robofest appreciates all support, large or small. Robofest accepts both monetary contributions and in-kind services donations. Please contact us if you are able to support Robofest in any way. Sponsorship (pledge) form is at: http://www.robofest.net/2012/SponsorshipForm.doc

 

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If you have questions, please *do not reply* directly to this email message. See below for contact information.

 

Lawrence Tech University / Robofest / M219

21000 W. Ten Mile, Southfield, MI 48075

Fax: (248) 204-3518

CJ Chung, Professor, Director, [email protected]

Christopher Cartwright, Associate Professor, Program Manager, [email protected]

Teri Dubois, Associate Coordinator, (248) 204-3568, [email protected]

Sarah Burcon, Adjunct Professor, Associate Coordinator, [email protected]

Chris Parker, Admin Assistant, [email protected]

 

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http://www.robofest.net

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