The Robert C. Byrd Institute (RCBI) will offer a camp this summer for 9- to 15-year-old students interested in robotics.

Activities kick off June 26-30 with a camp for both those with robotics experience and first-timers. During the five-day event, campers will learn to build, program and operate LEGO Mindstorms EV3 robots and participate in the World Robot Olympiad the final day.

The camp will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at RCBI Huntington. The cost is $125 for each camper and includes lunch and snacks.

Students are encouraged to register as small teams. Sign up at http://www.rcbi.org/go/robotics1.

RCBI Huntington also will host a free, two-day Boot Camp from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 7-8 focused on boosting participation in FIRST LEGO League (FLL) robotics and promoting STEM education in southern West Virginia counties. Groups interested in forming teams are encouraged to apply for the free camp by contacting Mike Friel at 304-781-1686 or mfriel@rcbi.org.

Five teams will receive a free Mindstorms EV3 robot and expansion set after completing training and agreeing to compete in future FLL events. Teams must include two adult coaches and between two and six students age 9 to 14.

Both camps will be taught by employees from NASAs IV&V Educator Resource Center and the West Virginia Robotics Alliance. Campers will learn to program robots for specific missions and work on core values and team-working skills that align with the FIRST LEGO League robotics vision. Additionally, campers will engage with guest speakers who have knowledge of real-world robotics and see demonstrations from advanced high school level robotic competitors.

RCBIs robotics program is made possible by the support of the NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium.

For information, contact RCBIs Mike Friel at 304-781-1686 or mfriel@rcbi.org.

Originally posted here:

RCBI camps offer students opportunity to explore LEGO robotics - Charleston Gazette-Mail (subscription)