Robotics summer camp begins next month (FORM)

Chris Jensen and Grant Courington program and construct a Lego robot at last year’s summer robotics camp at Shoal River Middle School. The school will once again be hosting another robotics camp, from July 28 through August 7.

CRESTVIEW — Tim Sexton and Laurie Allen are offering a summer robotics camp for elementary and middle school students.

Click here for a printable registration form of this year's Summer Robotics Camp>>

The camp — which begins July 28 and features morning and afternoon sessions — includes an introduction to simple machines, including pulleys, levers and valves. Rising fourth- through eighth-graders also will learn how to construct and program EV3 robots to perform certain tasks.

But in addition to teaching those skills, Sexton and Allen, Davidson and Shoal River Middle School's robotics coaches, respectively, hope the camp keeps student interest in robotics alive.

“We want to keep robotics growing in our area,” Sexton said.

Students will put what they've learned to the test by participating in a robotics challenge; top performers will earn a trophy, Sexton said. 

Several Okaloosa School District campuses, including Bob Sikes Elementary School and Baker School, have Lego robotics clubs that compete in the First Lego League.

During this year's FLL competition, themed “World Class,” teams will redesign how people gather skills and information in the 21st century.

In addition to giving students additional practice opportunities for FLL competitions, attendees will know what to expect the next school year.

“They will feel more confident in building and programming the robots,” Sexton said.

WHAT: 3rd Annual Summer Robotics Camp

WHEN: Two sessions: 8 a.m. until noon, or 1-4 p.m. July 28 through Aug.7

WHERE: Shoal River Middle School at 3200 East Redstone Ave.

COST: $200 per student

REGISTRATION: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday at Shoal River Middle School.

CONTACTS:Tim Sexton, sextont@mail.okaloosa.k12.fl.us, and Laurie Allen, allenl@mail.okaloosa.k12.fl.us

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Robotics summer camp begins next month (FORM)