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Joining Robot Clubs

Tuesday, September 18, 2012 6:07 PM Posted by Kids and Teens
By Rebecca Winkler

Robotic clubs are a fun way kids can learn about sharing, friendly competition, winning awards, and having fun with other kids their age. Robotic clubs are one of many clubs supported by schools around the US. There are categories for robots built by very young kids all the way up to high school age kids. The young kids compete in categories that use non-soldering robot kits as well as some that require soldering. When parents look at these kits, they can be ensured their kids can be left alone to build their robots without fear of being burned when using non-soldering kits.

One of the biggest Robot Clubs around the US is known as US First. They were founded in 1989. In 1992 there were 28 teams in New Hampshire competing at many different levels. The youngest age for competition if 6 while the oldest age is 18. There are many different levels in this club and each state around the US can have their own First robot club. When Lego came out with their non-soldering robot kit, US First created a league for this group of robots. Kids ages 6 - 9 can join the JR First Lego League (Jr.FLL) where they will learn real-world challenges on solving problems by using robots. There are adults and teachers working right alongside these young kids. They learn not only about how to design and build non-soldering robots, but learn about presenting their robotic designs to their peers, the challenges scientists face today, and how to apply the math and science skills they are learning about in school. This is the first level a kid may get involved in with the club.

These types of clubs not only teach about team-building, but also about safety. Parents can drop off their young kids at these clubs and be confident of their safety. Besides there are teachers, mentors, and other parents volunteering to ensure all goes smooth at the club meetings. As kids get older, they can grow through the other levels of these clubs from using non-soldering kits up to the levels that require wiring and the use of a soldering iron. These upper levels prepare kids for entering college and can even provide scholarships. By starting out in the robot club at the age of 6 building non-soldering robots and eventually growing through the different levels of the club, they would not only be graduating from high school, but also graduating from this robot club with the hopes and dreams of pursuing an engineering career both in college and as part of their life long career. Who knows, maybe the young kid getting involved with non-soldering robots may one day be the adult who comes up with the environment saving alternative fuel supply that will save our planet.

Rebecca Winkler is the owner of http://www.yourrobotkits.com/ and she loves seeing young people learn and grow. She believes that non-soldering robot kits will help children learn about electronics and the world. America needs to have more engineers in the future and she hopes to inspire children.

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