Bots IQ
In the beginning, it was simply about entertainment. When BattleBots aired on cable TV, homemade, remote-controlled robots squared off in competition. It made for good television and a fan-base that grew with each season. Among the avid followers, producers noticed a great number of students who not only enjoyed the show, but wanted to get in on the action. BotsIQ was born. Show creators put together a Robotics Curriculum based on the National Curriculum Standards and Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) mechanical engineering methodology; Teacher Training; and a National Competition where students showcase their custom built robots, and compete for top honors. That was six years ago, and now the “smart sport” is sweeping the nation.
Seeing the impact of the BotsIQ initiative in other parts of the country, Catalyst Connection supported the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA) and Pittsburgh area companies that spearheaded a local BotsIQ program. The idea took off and quickly evolved into a pilot program involving six area career and technology centers. Instructors were trained, teams formed and within a matter of months the very first BotsIQ competition was held in Southwestern Pennsylvania in 2006. By the second year, 17 schools competed. Participation more than doubled again the third year. Nearly forty schools participated in the 2009 competition.
For additional information to support the BotsIQ program or other education programs sponsored by Catalyst Connection , please contact Scott Dietz, Director of Education Initiatives, at (412) 918-4227 or sdietz@catalystconnection.org.
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