It is just as it sounds. Two robots heading towards each other on a table to see which can push the other off. Some robots moved slowly. Some not at all. One turned in a circle. Several just got locked up. The creativity of the teams was unlimited. Some looked like shovels, some like cars and still others like bulldozers. I could have watched all day.

Photo courtesy of Northwest Vista College

On the winning team was a girl. One of only a handful that participated in the camp. I had to wonder…why aren’t more girls involved? As if by magic, later that afternoon, I got word from Northwest Vista College about an upcoming girls-only robotics camp. With space for 24 girls, the camp breaks them up into teams of four and sets them loose on building Tetrix robots and competing in various challenges.

And check this out: It’s free. Didn’t think you could find a last minute camp this summer? No problem. According to college spokesperson Melissa Monroe-Young, there are still ten spots left. Sign up now!

The 411

• Campers: Girls ages 14 to 18
• Dates: August 3 to August 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Location: Northwest Vista College, 3535 N. Ellison Dr.
• Cost: Doesn’t get any cheaper than free.
• Register here

SpaceTEAMS @ Northwest Vista

Don’t have a daughter that age? No problem. Northwest Vista has two other camps with openings:

July 20 -31: Robot camp for elementary students – Tuition $225. Using Lego Mindstorm
July 20-31: Robot camp for middle school students – Tuition $250. Using VEX Robotics

• iTEC Summer Robotics Camp @ UTSA
• Session One: 3rd to 6th graders, June 15 – June 26
• Session Two: 6th to 8th graders, June 29 – July 10
• Extra info: geared for at risk and learning-challenged kids, but all are welcome
• Cost:  Free + $25 registration fee
• Register:  http://budurl.com/itec

THE STORY

I love meeting true characters. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting the real thing at the NEISD Elementary School Robotics Club Challenge.  His name is Moses Thompson.  Moses is the program manager for the Interactive Technology Experience Center at UTSA.  He’s a walking miracle, having gone through surgery that left him in a wheelchair for three years, with a disease that is slowly destroying his nerve system.  But it’s not touching his enthusiasm for his new program – the iTEC summer robotics camp for kids.

He regaled me with stories of being fascinated with rockets as a child.  He figured out how to make his own explosives, but managed to set his room on fire *only* once.  I desperately want to talk to his mom.  She must have had nerves of steel.

As his eyes sparkled with excitement, he told me all about the computers and equipment he’s purchasing for the iTEC camp. “I’m up to my eyeballs in Lego® Mindstorms NXT robotics,” he said.

He told me about working with Title 1 schools and trying to get parents involved in the process.  He wants to create a program that is not only enriching for the kids, but enriching for the family, as well.  “Parents can help with lunch or breakfast, help mentor or provide encouragement to the all the kids,” he told me.  “I don’t want it to sound like we don’t have structure, because we do. But we want it to be a time of fun, discovery and learning with no pressure.”

The camp is divided into two sections – third through sixth and sixth through eighth.  Session one is for the younger ones and runs June 15-26. Session two for the older ones is slotted for June 29 through July 10. And Moses is thinking about adding a second, overflow session later in the summer.  Best part – it’s free.  Yep – you heard it right. Free, thanks to some very generous donors.  There is a $25 registration fee, but that is waived for parents who volunteer.  Got a little scientist on your hands who likes to tinker?

What are you waiting for?  Register here:  http://budurl.com/itec