Because SumoBots rock: UTSA iTec Robotics summer camp registration opens
Posted by MomOnMars on April 13, 2010
Sumobots…here we come!
UTSA has started taking applications for its iTec Robotics summer camp.
New for this year is a program for high school students. Also new is the $70 fee per student. Last year, the program was free. Still, at under $100 for two weeks, daily free breakfast and lunch and an amazing robotic experience, it’s well worth every penny. I blogged about the camp last year here and here.
One of the elements I loved about this camp is that the kids are divided into groups of four with a mentor…so everybody has a chance to share their two cents worth in building the robots. Teamwork is emphasized, but at the end of the day, it’s the competition that captures everyone’s attention. I never had so much fun watching Legos with wheels try to push each other off a table.
You can easily register online at itec.utsa.edu. But be prepared. Your child will need to type in a short essay on why he or she wants to be in the camp. The second hardest part: making sure you’ve got them signed up for the right one! There are five options this year:
- June 14 – 25: grades 3 – 6 using NXT platform
- June 28 – July 10: grades 8 – 11 using the VEX Robotics System
- June 28-July 9: grades 6-8 using the NXT platform
- July 12 – 23: grades 6-8 using the NXT platform
- July 12 – 23: grades3-6 using NXT platform
All camps run 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. with no early or late stay available.
And a WORD OF WARNING: If your child is accepted into the camp – do not park where you are not authorized to park and pay before you walk away to drop off or pick up your child. Those campus police are tough cookies and won’t hesitate to ticket you.
If you’ve got a future engineer on your hands, this is the camp to attend. Extremely well-run. And great fun for the kids.
Thank you so much for this information!!! My son REALLY wanted to build a robot last summer. But for SOME reason aka mom finishing school / not knowing how we did not do that.
Today I asked him if he could go to ANY kind of summer camp what he would want it to be about?
A: science
What part of science?
A: robotics
WOOT!
Application submitted.
Hello:
How may get my son registered for the sumobots programs. I could not find an application or deadlines anywhere
Thank you very much
Hi, Neven. I haven’t seen the summer sumobot program listed yet. Last I heard, iTEC was facing some funding challenges. But I’ll keep watching for it. In the meantime, iTEC is offering a Spring Break program he might like. Here are the details: http://sabusykids.com/2011/02/itec-offers-spring-break-camp/
The fees went up this year, it’s roughly $200 for a week this year. Plus you have to pay for parking. I have sons signed up in robotics and aeronautics. One day in and they love it so far. Hopefully ITEC will be around next year too.
Thanks for the heads up on the price change. I love that they expanded it past robotics this year.