AEOP UNITE STEM Career Exploration (June 27-30, 2016)

The STEM Career Exploration camp was a 4-day camp designed to provide broad exposure to various careers in STEM including the use of technology in military, healthcare, agricultural engineering, and watershed sciences. Rising 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th graders gained knowledge about STEM careers by participating in hands-on demonstrations and research activities. This camp was sponsored in part by the Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP). Contact Dr. Shonda Bernadin at shonda.bernadin@eng.famu.fsu.edu for more information about AEOP programs.

AEOP UNITE Circuit Design Camp (June 20-24, 2016)

The Circuits Design camp was a 5-day academic camp designed to introduce rising 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th graders to some basic principles in Electrical Engineering. Topics included power systems, electronics, digital systems and communication systems. Participants gained knowledge about voltage, resistance, current, digital logic and wireless communications. This camp was sponsored in part by the Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP). Contact Dr. Shonda Bernadin at shonda.bernadin@eng.famu.fsu.edu for more information about AEOP programs.

AEOP UNITE Robotics Camp (June 13-17, 2016)

The Robotics camp was a 5-day academic camp that introduced rising 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th graders to concepts in mechanical design, mathematics, physics, and programming through designing and building robots using various platforms including VEX robotics. Students used the engineering design process to design and build robots and compete in mini-competitions. This camp was sponsored in part by the Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP). Contact Dr. Shonda Bernadin at shonda.bernadin@eng.famu.fsu.edu for more information about AEOP programs.

AEOP UNITE Alternative Energy Camp (June 6-10, 2016)

The Alternative Energy camp was a 5-day academic camp that introduced rising 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th graders to energy and power concepts in clean renewable energy. The focus was on fuel cell technology and solar photovoltaic systems. Students gained knowledge about the conservation of energy and power and the importance of being an energy-independent society. This camp was sponsored in part by the Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP). Contact Dr. Shonda Bernadin at shonda.bernadin@eng.famu.fsu.edu for more information about AEOP programs.

Elementary Robotics Day (June 2016)

On the date of 6-21-2016, Springwood elementary hosted a presentation for the students with the mind storm robots. Dr. Hooker and Michael Bell came to event to volunteer and teach the children the application and creation of the robot kits. During the event the children created a robot with a goal in mind, but obstacle as well. The children were forced to think of creative solution in the construction of the robots that were not laid out. With little assistance the group all made their robots, each one a little different from another. After the creation, Dr. Hooker and Michael Bell created a small course for the students to put their robot through. In this course the children were taught the basics of motor function and how to go forward and turn their creation. In their attempt, the students learned some tricks to go through the course, such as rotations of the wheel to distance traveled and to see that bigger wheels meant more distance traveled per rotation. In only 3 hours, a class of elementary students were able to create not only their own robot from scratch, but also understood how to program it and to complete courses.

CISCOR at STEAM Day (February 2016)

On Friday, February 19th, 2016, CISCOR participated in STEAM day at FSUS high school. Michael Bell, Tariq Grant and Taylor Markley, who volunteer at CISCOR, showcased and taught robotics to the student body. The students were ecstatic to learn about computer programming, mechanical engineering and the possibilities in the field of robotics. To foster their curiosity and creativity, the students were also given a challenge to properly navigate an obstacle course using Lego Mindstorms. Finally, the CISCOR team emphasized the importance of encouraging both women and men to enter the exciting field of robotics.

FAMU RIMS Summer Camps (2014-2015)

In 2014 and 2015 CISCOR has participated in the FAMU RIMS Summer High School Research Internship. Over the course of five weeks, these aspiring scientist and engineers were given the opportunity to both observe and learn from CISCOR post-graduate, graduate, and undergraduate researchers performing robotic experiments in our lab. Additionally, the students gained hands on lab experience by conducting their own experiments using LEGO MINDSTROM EVE robotic development kits. Working together as a team, the students investigated the functionality of commonly used sensors that enable robot autonomy. Armed with basic programming techniques and sensor equipped robots, the interns successfully completed several introductory level task based assignments such as line following, path planning, and obstacle avoidance.

Sail HS Robotics Team (2013)

In 2013 CISCOR began collaborating with the Robotics Club at SAIL High School “The Octoπrates” when they entered their third year of participation in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). FIRST is an international program that encourages students from all over the world to pursue careers in STEM related fields. CISCOR provided Sail High School robotics team, with mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering assistance during the 3-month building and competition season. CISCOR also provided their laser and water jet cutting facilities along with machine fabrication assistance. This year’s overall objective was to build a robot to launch Frisbees into designated goals, climb a 3 level pyramid and be both, autonomous and operator controlled. The Octoπrates participated in the Fort Lauderdale regional tournament where they were seeded 8th and placed 14th out of 60 teams. The Octoπrates received recognition by receiving an award for being #1 in pit safety. Also the team captain Brenna Wonsey, received the Dean’s List Award which recognizes FIRST’s most outstanding FRC students

21st Century Enrichment Program (Summer 2013)

CISCOR began Collaborating with the 21st Century Enrichment Program during the summer of 2013. This is a four day program that exposes students to STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) by introducing robots, energy, electricity, and physical science. During the program, students will engage in critical thinking and experimentation with various activities. Here is the day by day break down:

Day 1: Robots - Students manipulate and build WeDo LEGO robotics and take tours of the CISCOR Robotics Laboratory.
Day 2: Energy and Electricity - The students partake in activities that allows them to use snap circuits, hand generators and light boards.
Day 3: Engineering Day - Students conduct experiments and/or build models (such as bridges, catapults and roller-coasters) while learning about Civil Engineering. Then students are taken on a tour to view the the High-Performance Materials Institute. While on the tour, the students learn about Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering.
Day 4: Physical Science Day - Students learn about physical laws of matter, energy and force while exploring waves and sound, magnetism and temperature. Students may also build their own thermometers.

Young Scholars Program (Summer 2013)

In summer of 2013, CISCOR sponsored high school students who worked on the development of empirical kinematic and power models for the XRL legged robot. This project involved data collection using VICON motion capture technology and analysis using the computer program Matlab. At the end of the program the students presented their work in a poster presentation during an event that was open to the public. They also wrote an essay describing their main findings.

CPALMS (2012-2013)

CISCOR began collaborating with CPALMS (Collaborate Plan Align Motivate Serve), on its Perspective Initiative, which seeks to provide brief (~5 min) videos that are aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for Mathematics and the Next-Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) for Science. The videos are meant to provide K-12 teachers with information on how science and mathematics are used in practical, real-world situations. The intent is that teachers will use this material for professional development and curriculum development. The first CISCOR video focused on how quadratic equations are used in a minimum time planning algorithm.

Power Walker (2012-2013)

In academic year 2012-2013, CISCOR sponsored and supervised a senior design project in the Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. The purpose of this project was to design and fabricate a highly stable, semi-omnidirectional robotic walker that actively stabilizes and guides the user. The walker responds directly to the actions of the user through force-based input. This project was awarded the 2nd place for 2012-2013 ME Senior Design Projects.

Bionic Trojans (2011-2012)

In the 2011-2012 academic year, CISCOR continued to help coach the Nim’s Middle School Bionic Trojans for FIRST Lego League robotics competitions. The team participated in two competitions at the Covenant Christian School in Panama City, Florida. In the first competition, the team was awarded the first place overall award, which qualified it for the second event, where it received the award for best robot design and narrowly missed qualifying for the next level of competition.

Bionic Trojans (2010-2011)

In the 2010-2011 academic year, CISCOR sponsored a FIRST Lego League robotics team called the Bionic Trojans. The students spent a minimum of 3 days a week designing and programming the Lego Mindstorm NXT and working on the research project that was part of the competition. The Bionic Trojans competed in two statewide competitions. The first was held in Panama City, FL at Covenant Christian School where they received the first place Robotic Technical award. This award was given to them for the design of their robot and their ability to effectively explain to the judges the robot design and programming for the challenge. The second competition at the Cornerstone School was held in Ocala, FL. The team took home the Mechanical Design award. This award was given to them for the design of their robot. These achievements were a great feat for a rookie team! Another highlight of the year was the team's feature on the Florida State University radio program 411Teen. The program is currently available by clicking here.

FCAAP Future Summer Academy 2010

The FCAAP (Florida Center for Advanced Aero-Propulsion) Future Summer Academy was conducted for the first time in July 2010. The aim was to involve twenty highly talented high school students from across the state of Florida in a week long program designed to introduce students to aerospace engineering. FCAAP faculty, staff and graduate students conducted two half-day workshops that gave students exposure to concepts in robotic flying vehicles and planetary rovers. The response from the students was very positive.

ProAMS (2008-2009)

ProAMS, Proficiency in and Appreciation of Math and Science, implemented during the 2009-2010 academic year, is the evolution of the RIMS program, which commenced as a pilot program in November, 2008 and was conducted for the remainder of the 2008-2009 academic year. The purpose of RIMS was to use robots to teach students important concepts in math and science and to motivate them to appreciate math and science via hands-on experiences with robots. ProAMS retained the use of robotics, specifically Lego Mindstorm robots. However, recognizing that robots are not always the best mechanisms for teaching all aspects of science, ProAMS incorporated presentations and hands-on activities in a variety of science disciplines to reinforce key concepts in science and math. The core of ProAMS was an in-school program conducted once a week for the three 8th grade science classes. Many of the presentations and activities were led by representatives from science disciplines at Florida State University or Florida A&M University while the rest were led by the ProAMS director from the Center for Intelligent Systems, Control, and Robotics (CISCOR). We believe this is to be an effective program model for a secondary schools that is located close to at least one major university.

First Robotics Competition (2010)

In the spring semester 2010 ProAMS in conjunction with Chad Jackson, a local robotics competition organizer and enthusiast, conducted an afterschool program oriented towards competition in the international First Robotics Competition. The team participated under the banner of the Panhandle Pirates in a regional competition near New Orleans, Louisiana. This team of rookies received a first place award at the regional conference in addition to the "Judges Award," awarded to the team that most impressed the judges, who interviewed the team members to evaluate their knowledge of their robot. They went on to participate in the final competition in Atlanta, Georgia.

Mary Brogan Art and Science Museum

Under the leadership of Dr. Billy Oates an on-going program has been established in collaboration with the Mary Brogran Art and Science Museum. This is a monthly Saturday afternoon program (1:00pm every third Saturday of the month) entitled: Magnificent Materials and Exotic Engineering--(ME)2 geared toward kids and parents of all ages. This program includes hands on demonstrations of adaptive materials such as piezoelectric composites for energy harvesting, magnetostrictive "sound bugs", temperature sensitive cholesteric liquid crystals, and artificial muscles along with demonstrations of legged robots and concepts from nanoscience.

FAMU Brite-Idea Invention Camp (June 2008)

On June 9th-13th, 2008 Florida A&M University conducted its fourth Summer Invention Camp for middle and high school students from schools throughout Leon and surrounding counties. Approximately thirty students had the opportunity to learn, firsthand, the complete process of taking an idea from conception to the marketplace. During this week-long camp, the students learned creative and inventive thinking, how to innovate and invent; determine if their ideas have already been disclosed by others through "prior art" searches; and discover ways to protect and market their novel developments. Invention and innovation is learned within the context of learning practical Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). CISCOR participated in this outreach by providing a half day workshop on robotics.

FAMU Developmental Research School (2006)

In 2006 students from grades eight through twelve were exposed to the CISCOR undergraduate students' research projects. One project presented was of a robot using a laser to detect and autonomously navigate around obstacles. Later, the students were able to conduct experiments where the students directed the robots from a laptop. While some were waiting to experiment, the CISCOR group showed more cutting-edge presentations including underwater robots, vehicular robots, as well as transformable robots. Click on the picture to the right for more pictures.

Challenger Learning Center Back to School Blastoff (2005)

High profile events like the war in Iraq and the landing of the Sojourner on Mars have helped grow students' interest in robotics. Through the Challenger Learning Center located downtown Tallahassee, the group from CISCOR had the opportunity to capitalize on the students' interest in robotics. In 2005, the group had the chance to put a robotics demonstration for the Challenger Learning Center Back to School Blastoff technology fair. There, the children were able to receive hands-on access to tele-robotics which involves the remote control of a robot over a distance of a few meters to many miles.

Outreach