Students in grades 7-12 with a passion for science, technology, engineering and math can explore the world of robotics at the 360° VEX Robotics Camp 2012, held July 15-20 at Bemidji State University.

Registration for the VEX Robotics Camp is $250, which includes lodging, food, all materials for the camp and activities scheduled by camp staff during the evenings. Registration and fees are due to 360° by Friday, June 15. An information packet will be sent to registered campers prior to the camp’s start date with specific information.

During the day, campers will participate in different robot-building challenges. They will build robots they have designed themselves using AutoCAD Inventor, then learn how to program those robots using sensor inputs and encoders. The camp will then conclude with a series of challenges. Evening activities will include swimming, rock climbing and other outdoor activities.

The camp is a vehicle for students to develop critical life skills by designing and building robots and competing with like-minded students in an exciting, non-traditional educational environment.

Check-in for campers will take place between 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, July 15. Checkout will be from 2-4 p.m. on Friday, July 20.

Campers will stay in Bemidji State’s Tamarack Hall residence hall, with separate counselors for male and female campers. Robotics activities will be held in Bridgeman Hall on the Bemidji State campus.

The VEX Robotics Design System offers students a platform for learning and exploration in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Beyond principles of science and engineering, a VEX Robotics project encourages teamwork, leadership and problem solving among groups. The projects also allow educators to easily customize projects to students’ abilities. The platform is used in middle schools, high schools and university labs around the world and is also a common platform used by robotics hobbyists.

For more information about the VEX Robotics Camp 2012, contact Beth Campus at the 360° Center of Excellence at (218) 755-2206.

About 360°
The 360° Manufacturing and Applied Engineering Center of Excellence, part of the Institute of Technology, Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Bemidji State University’s College of Business, Technology and Communication, is a partnership of 10 institutions led by Bemidji State University. Partner institutions include Central Lakes College, Lake Superior College, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Northland Community and Technical College, Northwest Technical College, Pine Technical College, Riverland Community College, Saint Paul College, and St. Cloud Technical and Community College. The center cultivates a potential future workforce through more flexible educational opportunities via its seamless career pathway.

LINKS
• 360° Manufacturing and Applied Engineering Center of Excellence
• VEX Robotics