The EST program hosted their 2nd annual robotics camp for students ages 12 to 15. Faculty member Martin Hebel directed the two 3 ½ day camps in July. The focus of the robotics camp is basic electronics and programming for autonomous and tele-robotics.

Electronic Highlights!
Through experiments with the Boe-Bot, from Parallax, Inc., campers worked with basic DC electronic theory, such as using Ohm's Law for the sizing of resistors for use with LEDs. Signals from an airplane RC remote control for servo control were analyzed using an oscilloscope, and campers learned how to re-create the signals with their controller for robotic control action. Tactile, photo-resistive, and infrared sensors were used for object sensing using digital and analog inputs. Motion control using PWM and H-Bridge drive was also explored.

Programming Highlights!
The BASIC Stamp microcontroller, on the bots, were programmed by campers in PBASIC, a version of the popular BASIC language. Through programming, the campers were able to control output devices, such as LEDs, buzzers and servos. They were also able to read and respond to input data from the sensors, and operator-controlled devices such as RF and infrared remote controls.

Problem Solving!
Problem-solving was a major component to the camp. Competition challenges were used to stimulate the camper’s creativity and problem solving abilities. Challenges included dead-reckoning a path and analyzing systems in order to write original code. In the dead-reckoning challenge, campers were provided only with the parameters of a track. By analyzing the speed of their robot, they had to code routines that would cause it to traverse a course without touching the boundaries.

Kudos!
The college thanks Don Bless (science teacher from Cobden High School), Brandon Byars (prior year camp attendee and son of faculty member Jeff Squibb), Michael Fisher (EST student), Pat Eckert (SIU Division of Continuing Education) and Ken Gracey (Vice President, Parallax, Inc), for their assistance.

The camp was thoroughly enjoyed by the attendees, and parents were appreciative of having it available as a summer activity. While we, of course, hope to recruit future students, a larger goal is to ignite junior high and high school student interest in electronics, programming, and technology through robotics.

Sponsors Needed!
While this was a good starting point, the faculty, parents, and campers would like to see this camp grow in scope. Additions to this camp, or higher-level camps, requires the purchase of costly mechanical, pneumatic, and electrical systems beyond what could be covered through 'camper fees'. The college is seeking individual and corporate sponsors to help cover the material and scholarship costs for next summer. Interested parties may contact Michael Ellis at michaele@siu.edu or 618-536-6682.

Don Bless (left, volunteer assistant) and Martin Hebel (right, director) flanking a group of campers.

EST faculty member and camp director Martin Hebel assists Jared Lambert (son of Von Lambert, program alum) with troubleshooting his robot.

Other Camp images link: http://imsinet.casa.siu.edu/hebel/robocamp2004