PHOTOS BY SCOTT FRIEDMAN Students use a variety of parts to assemble and operate their Lego robots at the Raider Robotix Lego Camp, held this summer at the North Brunswick Township High School. The workshop pairs members of the school’s Raider Robotix competition team with sixththrough ninth-graders to teach them about science and engineering. NORTH BRUNSWICK – The North Brunswick Township High School Raider Robotix Lego Camp held its first session July 7 at the school on Raider Road.
The camp is open to any students entering grades six through nine and teaches them how to design, build and program mini-robots. Parents Beverly Stott and Mary Anne Ciance advise the program and North Brunswick Township High School senior Morgan Gillespie, 17, is the team leader.
The material consists of an older set of Legos called the Mindstorm and NXT kits that cannot be found in stores. Currently, the students are building robots that are specifically designed to fit larger tires that can climb stairs and go over things such as ramps on the obstacle course.
Nicolas Estevez watches his robotic vehicle go slightly off course. Gillespie said, “The designs will vary day by day.”
He added, “Later on, we will build ones that can throw, pick up, carry, and push other things like robots using sensors.”
Most of the kids who participate work individually on their projects, though sometimes, depending on the task, they can work in groups.
Gillespie said, “The directors usually decide on the ideas for each challenge.”
The ultimate goal of the program is to have fun and for the younger kids to learn something.
No experience is necessary to join this program. The camp is held Monday through Friday from 12:30 to 3 p.m. in Room 124 of the North Brunswick Township High School through July 25.
The fee is $125 for the three-week camp. For more information, contact Stott at raiderrobotix@ gmail.com or 732-297-4933.