Robots Duke It Out at Selkirk College Saturday
By Contributor
Frasier vs. Ali, Tyson vs. Holyfield, Edward vs. Jacob…. All epic battles, but none of them can hold a candle to the robot vs. robot competition of Robogames 2014 which is being held on Saturday November 15th at the Selkirk College Tenth Street Campus, Mary Hall Building.
While the political candidates are duking it out live at the polling stations on that same day, so will the battle for robot supremacy be fought among us.
Robots are awesome… No surprise there. Machines battling one another for victory right here in our own backyard? Now that’s cool!
Throughout the fall, youth, adults, teams and schools have been living, learning and loving robotics in anticipation of the big event. All members of the public (including robots) are welcome to come on out and experience the battle Robogames 2014 with free admission.
Lead by Nelson Tech Club (NTC) President, Brad Pommen, with support from the Kootenay Association for Science and Technology (KAST), the local BC Hackerspace shouldered the mentoring and guidance of teams, along with assistance from many of the society’s Directors.
The NTC was founded in 2010 and has strong weekly attendance of 15 – 40 Hackerspace participants, with 60% attendance being youth. Every week, technology enthusiasts of all abilities (hackers, makers & anyone with a keen interest) meet at the NTC Hackerspace and share resources and ideas through the club’s motto: Build, Learn, Share.
The NTC acts as a facilitator to support exploration of STEM initiatives, including focus on programming, design, electronics and robotics for all ages. The NTC Hackerspace is located at the “Annex Building” on Fell Street, Selkirk College Tenth Street campus.
NTC members have been playing the roles of mentor, electronic guru and “guys with cool stuff” over the past several years and their protégés are now ready to put their knowledge into action in a battle for the ages – for the third year in a row.
Current entries include: multiple Lego Mindstorms NXT & EV3 assemblies, Arduino rovers and robots, custom R/C controlled devices and even flying 3D printed creations – robotic mayhem at its finest.
KAST’s GLOWS program (Growing, Learning Opportunities with Science) offers and facilitates science and technology youth programs that encourage youth to pursue further education and careers in science and technology as a long-term economic development strategy for the Kootenay/Boundary region.
Robogames 2014 will be making a return for its third year on Saturday, November 15th in Mary Hall at the Selkirk College Tenth Street Campus in Nelson.
The event starts at 10 a.m. and entry is free.
For more information visit www.robogames.ca or email NTC President, Brad Pommen at info@robogames.ca.
