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Summer Workshop

Rhode Island School of the Future
Rhode Island Robotics Design Project
Announces the . . .

14th Annual Summer Workshop in Robotics

"Blurring the distinction between learning in school and in the real world."
(John O'Neil , ASCD Update, October 1993)

Who: Interested Educators, and Classroom Volunteers
When: August 14th - 16th and the 19th & 20th, 2002
Where: Middletown, RI.
What: The Rhode Island School of the Future's (RISF) 14th annual Summer Workshop will be offered for teachers in grades K-9 to learn about robotics and its implementation in the classroom. The workshop will be divided into two programs which run concurrently; one, the Intermediate Program, for attendees with some robotic experience and the other, a Beginner's Program, for those with little or no experience.

Overview: The technology in this hands-on workshop will be based on the Mindstorms Robotics Invention System. We will utilize Robolab software with the Programmable Brick and the Control Lab software with its unique interface. Participants will use either or both software packages as their interests dictate. Using the Lego Robotics and other materials, participants will work in teams to design, build, and debug a robotic project of their own. Workshop materials include gears, motors, lights, axles, pulleys, beams, and wheels as well as a variety of sensors. Sensors allow programmed creations to interact with their environment and respond to certain conditions. The easy-to-learn robotic programming languages are used to "bring projects to life." Attention will be given to the various ways robotics can be implemented into the curriculum. The workshop will be conducted each day from 8:30 to 3:00 with a break for lunch.

For more information or assistance please contact:

Janice C. Kowalczyk or Denis Coffey
Director, RISF Assistant Director, RISF
9 Beechland Place Email: dcoffey@anteon.com
Middletown, RI 02842 Phone: (401) 849-5952 ext. 3535
Phone: (401) 841-5583
Email: kowalcjn@ride.ri.net
Rhode Island School of the Future (RISF)
Summer Workshop Application
August 14 - 16 & August 19 & 20, 2002

Name ______________________________________Home Phone____________________________
Home Address______________________________________________________________________
Are you a teacher or a classroom volunteer?_______________________________________________
School/Work Name___________________________ School /Work Phone______________________
School/Work Address_________________________________________________________________
Position____________________________ Grade/s presently teaching/volunteering?_______________
Active e-mail _____________________________________

Teaching/Work Experience and Subject Area Specialties_____________________________________

Computer Experience (list any courses taken or competencies)________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

About the classroom where you will do robotics?

If you are a teacher, list the main ways that you use computers in your classroom.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

Do students in this classroom have access and use the Internet? (Please explain where and how)
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

Briefly, why do you wish to participate in the RISF summer workshop?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

Have you been involved in doing any robotics activities with students? Yes No

If yes, please explain. __________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

I would like to participate (please check one):

______in the Beginner Robotics workshop
______in the Intermediate Robotics workshop

Workshop Costs and Funding

The Cost of the 5-day Summer 2002 Robotics workshop is $300.

Funding to pay for teacher/volunteer participation in the Summer 2002 Robotics workshop may be obtained, but is not yet assured. If funding is obtained it will be used to pay the cost of participating for a limited number new participants and intermediate participants.

The following are the guidelines for receiving these grants (if obtained):
1. These grants will available for those working with or in RI schools only.
2. Applications for workshop participation and for these grants will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis.
3. Only two teachers/volunteers per school will be eligible to receive summer workshop grants.
4. Teachers/volunteers who received grants (or partial grants) for participation in the Summer 2001 workshop will be eligible for grants for the Summer 2002 workshop, if they attended (and signed the attendance sheet) for at least two RISF community of practice meetings and if they participated with students in Robotics Park 2002. (Teachers who were under contract disputes which limited their participation in RISF community of practice meetings in 2001-2002 will be excused from this qualifier.)

Applications are now being received by mail for the Summer 2002 Robotics workshop. You may apply in one of the following three categories (please check only one):

_______I am applying for the Summer 2002 Robotics workshop. I would like to be considered for a grant, if funding becomes available, but I plan to attend and pay the cost of the workshop even if funding does not become available. I have enclosed a non-refundable deposit of $50 to hold my place in the workshop. I understand that this will be refunded only if I receive a grant.

_______I am applying for the Summer 2002 Robotics workshop and will only participate if funding becomes available to pay for the cost of my participation. (no deposit is necessary)

_______I am applying for the Summer 2002 Robotics workshop. I am an out-of-state participant and therefore understand that I am not eligible for RI funding. I have enclosed a non-refundable deposit of $50 to hold my place in the workshop.

Applications will be considered on a first-come first-served basis as long as space is available, Potential participants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Make checks out to RISF and mail to: RISF, 9 Beechland Place, Middletown, RI 02842. No PO's can be accepted.