Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Robotics competition in Pasadena Friday

Robotics teams from four Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) schools will compete in the first annual Middle School Robotics Competition. More than 100 students from Eliot Middle School, Washington Middle, Wilson Middle School and McKinley K-8 School will work in teams of four, programming LEGO robots to complete tasks that require light, touch and sonar sensors.

Seventh and eighth grade students are taking a robotics course this year at PUSD middle schools, where they learn how to build and program LEGO robots that navigate and complete tasks autonomously. The robotics classes and competition are part of a collaboration between PUSD middle schools, the Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF), and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

PEF has funded the program, sent teachers to Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania for summer training, purchased robots and equipment, and coordinated the competition. JPL is a partner and has helped fund some of the teacher training. PUSD classroom teachers are aided by graduate students from Caltech.

“Robotics provide our students an engaging and enriching educational experience that expands their potential and gives them early exposure to careers in science, engineering and technology,” said Superintendent Edwin Diaz.

Parents, teachers and interested community members are invited to attend the competition and cheer for the teams.


SUBJECT: PUSD MIDDLE SCHOOL ROBOTICS COMPETITION

DATE: Friday, May 21, 2010

TIME: 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. – competition
5:30 – 7:00 p.m. – awards ceremony

LOCATION: Eliot Middle School Gymnasium
2184 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena

For the latest news and information about the Pasadena Unified School District, including Board of Education Meeting Highlights, watch KLRN-TV or go to www.pusd.us.

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