Shuqun Primary School organised of trial robotics workshops in November 2011. The Science Enrichment Program Using Robotics workshop was conducted for more than 300 Primary 4 students. The objective of the programme was to show that robotics enrichment if conducted correctly could enhance a child’s interest in science and thus improve their Science results.

Robotics is already fast growing in popularity worldwide as a tool to develop logical and analytical thinking of children. Many schools in Singapore and around the world are implementing robotics education to cultivate engineering skills from an early age to prepare the student for tertiary education.

The 10.5-hour Science & Mathematics Enrichment Program allows the students to learn science & Math concepts (Electricity, Speed, Etc.) with the aid of a robotic Kit in a more fun filled manner.

The students went through a series of simple science tests to test their aptitude before the workshop was conducted. The workshop was conducted over a period of 3 weeks and was focused in the basics of Robotics, Electrical Systems and the concepts of speed, distance and time.
Students learned to build prototype electric circuits in order to understand basic concepts of electricity using robotics kits provided to them. The idea was to inject fun and hands-on learning into science and Mathematics.

The students constructed open and close Circuits, Series and Parallel Circuits and was also exposed to gear systems and to learn how to modify them to change the speed of the driving base.

The students used the FUN & BOT Supreme 2 that was modified to suit the training requirements of the students. An evaluation was conducted after completion of the workshop with more than 86 percent of students saying ‘Enjoyed the Enrichment Programs and was willing to participate in other Enrichments’ and 84% of the students agreed that they had gained new knowledge from the Enrichment Programs.

The organising committee today announced that the World Robo Masters 2012 will be held in Singapore on the 7 and 8 June 2012.

The committee has yet to officially the theme of the event but there have been rumors that this year’s theme will be associated to medieval weapons.

Official announcements to be made by mid February 2012. For more information, please go to www.worldrobomasters.com

IT Leisure & Education already wided regarded as the number 1 Robotics Education Company continues its strong expansion in Indonesia with the opening of its 5th franchise in Indonesia. The signing ceremony took place on 13 January 2012 between IT Leisure & Education, Singapore and Yayasan Gudang Hikmat, Palembang, Indonesia.

The team from Jakarta led by Christin Charlotte, COO and director ITLE Indonesia conducted robotics training for the soft launch of ‘My School’ in Palembang on the 29 January 2012.

ITLE has now over 15 000 students across Asia and has representative offices in 5 countries and 11 cities.

OBJECTIVES

•              To equip students with the needed knowledge, skills & techniques on robotics; understand topics on programming, constructing and trouble-shooting various intelligent robots.

•              To enhance participants knowledge in mechanical, engineering, sciences & analytical development.

•              To assist and develop participant’s interactivity skills, project managing, team coordination, presentational methods and creative thinking through systematic approaches.

•              To assist and facilitate in the selection of students for Robotics Competitions.

COURSE DURATION

• 24 hours/16 weeks of basic training.
• The programme will be evaluated through a combination of continuous projects and a final examination.

COURSE STRUCTURE

Lesson 1:                               Mechanics and Electronics.

-               Introduction to the basic functions and capabilities.

Lesson 2:                               Basic Programming using the robot’s software.

-               Introduction to the functions and capabilities of the robots programme.

Lesson 3:                               Building an ‘Avoider’ (The Avoider robot is used to avoid obstacles by using IR Sensors ).

-               Construction of the mechanical components for the ‘avoider’ and how to use the robot’s sensors.

Lesson 4:                               Programming the ‘Avoider’.

-               Understand how ‘Locust’ works and creating the program.

Lesson 5:                               Building a ‘Line Tracer’ (The line tracer robot which follows a black line).

-               Construction of the mechanical components and mounting of sensors for the ‘Line Tracer’.

Lesson 6:                               Programming the ‘Line Tracer’.

-               Understanding Line Tracer’s Algorithm and programming of IR Sensors.

Lesson 7:                               Building and Programming a ‘Kicker’ (Part 1)

Lesson 8:                               Building and Programming a ‘Kicker Robot’.  (Part 2)

(Remote-control a soccer robot and compete in a 3-on-3 soccer match).

-               Construction and program a ‘Soccer Robot’, be as creative as possible in the mechanics and electronics to build a soccer robot.

ADMISSION CRITERIA

Interested applicants must possess the following entry requirements :

• Basic Computer knowledge.
• Certificate in Introduction to Robotics.

COURSE DETAILS

Class Size:                                              21 minimum

Number of Hours                                   24 hours

INTRODUCTION

This certification program provides a path to robotics excellence for students between 7 – 16 years old. As part of IT Leisure & Education’s goal to improve the overall development of students by focusing on improving their creative and critical thinking skills.

BRONZE CERTIFICATION

Pre-requisites:    Student must possess the ‘Introduction to Robotics’ certificate

To achieve the bronze certificate, the following must be achieved:

1. Complete and pass the ‘Robotics Excellence Basic Course’.

Students will be assessed using ‘Student Course Assessment’ which includes theory tests, project work, class participation and team contribution.

1. Compete in a minimum of 1 robotics competition or competitive match.

SILVER CERTIFICATION

Pre-requisites:    Student must possess the ‘Bronze’ certificate

1. Complete the ‘Electronics & Innovations’ Course.

Students will be assessed using ‘Student Course Assessment’ which includes theory tests, project work, class participation and team contribution.

1. Minimum of a pass in a ‘Technology Research Project’. A 500 word written paper based on the topic of the month.
2. Improved academic results. (Form teacher to assess this criteria).

GOLD CERTIFICATION

Pre-requisites:    Student must possess the ‘Silver’ certificate

1. Complete the pass the ‘Robotics Excellence Advance Course’.

Students will be assessed using ‘Student Course Assessment’ which includes theory tests, project work, class participation and team contribution.

1. Minimum of a pass in a ‘Inventions in Robotics’ research paper.
2. ‘Major Inventions Project’ and presentation to panel.
3. Win/award in any one national robotics competition.

UniRobo Masters Cup 2012

UniRobo Masters Cup 2012 (URMC 2012) was held on Jan 7, 2012 at Montfort Matriculation Sr. Secondary School, Chennai. This event witnessed 22 teams of students whose robots battled in Soccer Masters and CreAtive Robot events which gave the students a great opportunity to display their creative talents and to put to use all that they had learnt through UniRobo Labs program in their schools.

The students, teachers and parents had come from across TN, Hyderabad and Begaluru to participate in this event. The winning team of URMC 2012 won direct entry into top 16 teams of the World Robo Masters Cup 2012 that will be held at Singapore in June this year apart from trophies and exciting individual prizes sponsored by G.M. Pens International Pvt. Ltd.