Robots are cool! So what better way to encourage kids to learn more science, technology, engineering and math than by adding robots?
President Obama agreed, when he launched the National Robotics Initiative in 2011. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, which was involved in spearheading the new initiative, listed several reasons to make robotics a priority:
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Robotics can address a broad range of national needs such as advanced manufacturing, logistics, services, transportation, homeland security, defense, medicine, healthcare, space exploration, environmental monitoring, and agriculture;
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Robotics technology is reaching a “tipping point” and is poised for explosive growth because of improvements in core technologies such as microprocessors, sensors, and algorithms;
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Robotics can play an important role in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education because it encourages hands-on learning and the integration of science, engineering, and creative thinking;
So, a group of local parents, educators and robot enthusiasts came up with a plan to start a robot hackerspace "Robot Garden", which will be open for adults and children for all sorts of great maker projects and workshops, especially ones involving robots.
Do you love building robots or want somewhere for your kids to learn robotics? Do you love Maker Faire but hate driving all over the Bay Area for techshops, hacker dojos, cowork spaces and other workshops?
Our community initiative has been offered space and support at iGate, the Innovation Hub on Longard Rd, Livermore. We're planning to host a First Lego League tournament and then open our doors in 2013. We invite you to join us!
We'll keep blogging about robots and maker stuff here on Patch, but please join our mail list on robotgarden.org for all the latest information.
