The Boeing Company Provides Robotics Training Grant

Recently, 12 teachers from Colorado Springs completed a two-day robotics training conducted by the Space Foundation. The training was held at the Space Foundation Discovery Institute in Colorado Springs and was made possible by a grant from the The Boeing Company. The teachers learned how to build, program and operate LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT robots.

Teachers participating in the training were given an overview of the next big robotic mission to Mars, the Mars Science Laboratory, which is landing in August, just in time for the new school year. The attendees were also given two full NXT base kits, an educator resource add-on kit, Bluetooth and activity mats for their school to start their club.

The purpose of the Boeing grant is to seed robotics programs in Colorado Springs so that after completing the training, the teachers will start robotics clubs at their schools. Participants in the program will also attend a robot exhibition on May 12 at the Space Foundation Discovery Institute to show what they’ve learned. The goal is for students in robotics clubs to continue their involvement in robotics programs as they continue on to middle school, high school and college.

Learn more about Space Foundation education programs at www.spacefoundation.org/education

This article is part of Space Watch: March 2012 (Volume: 11, Issue: 3).