Conejo Robotics at the 2011 FRC
Filed under: Computer, Robotics, Robotics and Automation
The Conejo Robotics Club discusses their entry and the results in the 2011 FIRST Robotics Competition Wednesday evening, April 13th. Charles Seabury and high school students from Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, and Westlake High in the Conejo Robotics Club will be on hand to show off and discuss their entry for this year’s competition.
The FIRST Robotics Competition challenges high-school teams to design, build, and compete, all in under six weeks. The 2011 competition, Logomotion, requires robots to coordinate and to work separately in order to build a sign made of inflated tubes:
This meeting is free and open to the public. Suggested ages: 8+.
Please register to attend as we would like to have an accurate headcount for refreshments. IEEE membership not required to register or attend.
Meeting location and information at the above link or see our meetings info page.
Physical Computing, Hackerspaces and why the DIY movement matters to Engineering
Filed under: Computer, Computing, Events, Robotics, Sensors
Wednesday, 9 March 2011: Carlyn Maw, a co-founder of CrashSpace, a Los Angeles Hackerspace, formerly an instructor and graduate of NYU ITP, presents an introduction to Physical Computing.
Location: Richter Auditorium, Cal Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks (6:30-8:30pm)
Carlyn Maw
Physical Computing is a hands-on multidisciplinary approach to interaction design and systems engineering. It is neither electrical engineering light nor advanced hobby electronics, but rather a holistic approach to invention and problem solving. Practitioners are frequently experts in their fields who want to harness the power of electronics within their own discipline. Past examples included:
- A musician composing a symphonies based on data collected from sensors on the body.
- An occupational therapist working to develop a pressure vest for children with sensory modulation disorders.
- A scientist tracking monkeys.
- A fashion designer creating a dress that unfurls like a flower.
Physical Computing methodologies quickly grab the imagination of beginners by treating electronics and programing as tools which extend what the new-comer already knows rather than as complete separate realms of expertise. With an emphasis on learning by doing and rapid prototyping, Physical Computing provides a quick pay off for those just starting out and for experts making “sketches.”
Additionally, Physical Computing has become a way of life for the communities forming around it. People around the world are working to increase the accessibility of the making things way of life. Carlyn will provide an overview of the conceptual approaches, tools, people and communities that are contributing to Physical Computing today.
Spring Robotics Camp
The spring Robotics Camp offers two three-day sessions in April for students ages 7 to 14. Register online at Robotics and Things.
More info: see Robotics Camp at the Acorn Online.
Conejo Robotics Club to Compete
Filed under: Events, Robotics, Robotics and Automation
Michael Weingarden, a Newbury Park High School algebra teacher, led the Conejo Robotics Club to the title of best rookie team in the 2007 FIRST Robotics Competition. That year they took 11th place in regional competition and fourth place out of 80 teams at the national level.
Chuck Seabury, IEEE BV Section Engineer of the Year 2010, advises the team. The team plans to discuss results and show their machine at the upcoming April Computer Society meeting.
See the full article in the Ventura Country Star online and view the photo gallery of the work in progress.
Robots at Flory School
Flory (Moorpark public elementary school) has a new Science Specialist and Principal this school year. These ladies are super excited to launch a robotics program at Flory. Principal Tammy Herzog and Lynn White want to hit the ground running in their first year at the school and introduce the program to current 4th and 5th graders by February of this year.
This will be a terrific learning experience for these future scientists and engineers. Flory is seeking one-time donations to Flory PTA for the purchase of robots. Can you help make a difference? A financial contribution of 1 or 2 robots would be a terrific help towards our goal of purchasing 28 robots by February 2011.
The cost is $155/kit. Contact Lynn Darrow at 805-279-1184 or darrowlynn@yahoo.com.
For details, see the Robotics Program Fundraiser flyer.
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Chapter Info
Buenaventura Section
Chapter C16 Location R6 01 09
Regular Meeting Info
Meets evenings, 2nd Wed of the month. See link above for meeting info.