NSF ATE Center of Excellence Hosts National Robotics Week in Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. - March 27, 2014 - PRLog -- FLATE (http://www.fl-ate.org/) the National Science Foundation Center of Excellence in Manufacturing located in Tampa is coordinating and hosting a region wide event to celebrate national robotics week in Tampa. As part of this effort, FLATE is partnering with local engineering and robotics clubs throughout Tampa bay to showcase applications of robotics technology in industrial and everyday settings. Educators, students, industry professionals, or anyone interested in STEM and robotics are invited to participate in this interactive event which will be held on April 11, 2014 at HCC in Brandon from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Propsed List of Activities Include:

Showcasing of electric cars built by members of Electrathon Tampa Bay

Demo of various robots/robotics software by regional  robotics clubs that include BEST robotics, FLL, FTC and FRC teams from local schools and colleges

VEX Robot and LEGO Mindstorms NXT Mini-Challenges

Demo of industrial robotic arm and  tour of HCC manufacturing lab

Info session on BEST Robotics, FIRST Robotics, and VEX Robotics

Drawing for a free week of FLATE’s summer robotics camp starting in June 2014

National Robotics Week recognizes robotics technology as a pillar of 21st century American innovation, highlights its growing importance in a wide variety of application areas, and emphasizes its ability to inspire technology education. The purpose of national robotics week is to: celebrate and position the United States as a leader in robotics technology development; educate the public about how robotics technology impacts society, both now and in the future; advocate for increased funding for robotics technology research and development, and inspire students of all ages to pursue careers in robotics and other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-related fields.

For more information or to participate visit www.fl-ate.org. You can also contact Dr. Marilyn Barger, executive director of FLATE at barger@fl-ate.org, and Desh Bagley, outreach manager for FLATE at bagley@fl-ate.org.

FLATE (http://www.fl-ate.org/)is a National Science Foundation Regional Center of Excellence, committed to ensuring Florida has a well prepared workforce for advanced and emerging technologies. Created in 2004, FLATE is one of 46 Advanced Technological Education Centers in the United States funded by the National Science Foundation focused on improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and training to meet the needs of American advanced technology industries. For more information visit www.fl-ate.org