18 Straight Successful Summer Workshop!

18 Straight Successful Summer Workshop! July 20, 2010

Applied Technologies held our 18th annual Summer Workshop at the Tellus Northwest Georgia Science Museum in Cartersville, Georgia July 12-14. It went very well. But don't just take our word for it.

"Amazing!" said Jason Morgan, a technology teacher at Florence Middle School, in Florence, AL. "Absolutely the best workshop I have ever attended! Everything I learned can and will be used in the classroom. The Learning Labs [and Applied Technologies] staff have been extremely helpful in providing frequent training opportunities. They are very professional and friendly folks!"

Throughout the two-and-a-half-day workshop, attendees spent most of their time building and programming mobile robots using VEX Robotics kits, then competing in three events. They also learned the importance of project/problem-based learning, how to organize and host a VEX Robotics event, and about the different kinds of robotics events available to students.

Upon arriving at the workshop, most attendees were divided into groups of three, where they all built and programmed the same basic mobile robot.

Attendees building their robots.

Once attendees were confident in the basics of building and programming with VEX, the teams spent their time manipulating their robots (based on parameters) to compete in three events: the Pull-Bot Challenge, the About Face Challenge, and Swept Away. As they were working, they received an overview of our Engineering Application Series, to which they were given access for an entire year.

On the final day, prior to beginning the competition, the teachers learned how easy, exciting, and profitable hosting their own VEX Robotics Event could be. They were also introduced to the new 2010-11 VEX competition Round Up and were offered tips and playing strategies.

At that point, it was time to "let the games begin!" As mentioned, there were three challenges: Pull-Bot, About Face, and Swept Away. Pull-Bot required robots to pull the most weight in the quickest amount of time. About Face had teachers build robots that could autonomously travel seven feet, hit a wall, make a 180 degree turn, then return to the starting spot as quickly and accurately as possible. Swept Away saw two teams battle each other by trying to push or throw various sized balls to their opponent's side of the playing field.

Ron Pajor, a teacher at Floyd Co. College and Career Academy in Rome, GA, said the location, size, and instructors were "Perfect. Instructors got around to everyone to assist and help them. I feel better able to help and assist [my students]."

At the end of the workshop, staff development certificates were handed out, as well as awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in all three Challenges. After the workshop was officially over, all attendees gained free admission to the Tellus Northwest Georgia Science Museum.