2009 Winter Holiday Program

Course: Robotics – Learning to program in Robo Pro
Duration: 4 days - 29 Jun to 2 July, 09h00 to 11h00
Cost: R400
Description:
An introduction to writing computer programs in Robo Pro to control robots and machines. This course is for those who are interested in robotics or want to learn how to write computer programs but don’t know where to start. During the course students will be using a visual language to automate robots and machines. Ages 10+, open to mature learners and requires booking in advance.

Course:               Python Programming for Beginners
Duration: 4 days - 29 Jun to 2 July, 09h00 to 11h00
Cost: R400
Description:
An introduction to writing programs in a real programming language called Python. This course is for those who want to move on from Robo Pro; and those who want to write their first real program. Students will be writing simple programs in Python and conclude by writing their own .mp3 player that asks the user for information, play music files and make the computer speak. Younger students are advised to start with ‘Robotics – Learning to program in Robo Pro’ prior or in parallel to attending this course. Ages 10+, open to mature learners and requires booking in advance.

Course:               Introduction to Game Programming
Duration: 4 days - 29 Jun to 2 July, 09h00 to 11h00
Cost: R400
Description:
A simple introduction to the world of creating computer games. Students will use Python to write a simple 2D ‘Space Invader’ game and learn about concepts in programming and Python. This course is for older students 13+, or those who have done some programming in the past. This course follows on, or runs in parallel with the ‘Python Programming’ course. Requires booking in advance.

Workshop:          Mobile Programming Workshop
Duration: 4 days - 29 Jun to 2 July, 09h00 to 11h00
Cost: R400
Description:
A workshop for students who own a compatible Nokia cell phone and wants to learn how to write their own program that runs on their cell phone. Students will write simple programs to create menus, send sms’s, play music files, etc. Students require their own programmable Nokia phone, attended the Python course or a little bit of prior Python experience. Requires booking in advance.

Workshop: Automation Workshops
Duration: 4 days - 29 Jun to 2 July, 09h00 to 11h00
Cost:                       R400
Description:
A workshop for students interested in controlling their world from the computer. Students will look at how to build electronic circuits for connecting lights, appliances and sensors to the computer. They will experiment with writing programs in Python to control their system, set alarms, switch the lights, speak to the user, detecting activity, etc. This workshop is for older students 13+ and those with some prior Python experience. Requires booking in advance.

9-year old writes iPhone applications

Proving that you can’t be too young to program, 9-year old Lim Deng Wen from Singapore writes software application for Apple’s iPhone.

His latest program, called Doodle Kids, lets iPhone users draw with their fingers by touching the iPhone’s touchscreen and then clear the screen by shaking the phone. It has already been dowloaded more than 4000 times in just two weeks form the iTunes store.

Lim, started using the computer at 2, is fluent in 6 different programming languages and have completed more than 20 projects.

Rossum Academy also believes in the value of teaching students from a young age to program and create digitally. MIT professor Mitchel Resnick refers to the importance of being ‘digitally fluent’, that is being able to not only work in a digital environment but being able to create new thins digitally.

19 year old designs electric motorcycle

Rossum Academy is committed to train up a new generation of engineers, designers and inventors. The following article from the New York Times is an example of the kind of innovation that we would like to encourage.

Image courtesy of Ben Gulak

Mobile Programming for Nokia Smartphones

Rossum recently launched a course in mobile programming using Python for the Symbian OS. Students learn how to write programs for the Nokia cell-phones to control robots and devices. Python provides a easy way of accessing the functions on the phone, such as SMS, GPS, Phonebook and Internet.

Rossum on Hip2BSquare TV Show

Hip2BSquare featured the Rossum Academy on the 24th of November show. With the producers of the TV show we played around with the idea of creating a robot to place in studio which can be controlled by the viewers from home.

We decided to build the Fischertechnik 3-Axis Robotic Arm controlled by a cell phone and challenge the viewers at home to sms the correct instructions to move a drum on the table in the studio. During the few minutes that the competition ran, the cell phone connected to the arm received almost 600 sms’es from viewers at home.

The purpose of this demonstration was to showcase the new discipline of mobile programming which we are offering at the Academy. This new mobile programming course looks at how to write software in Python for cell phones running the Symbian Operating system. This course will form part of our holiday program at the MTN Sciencentre.

Holiday Programme at MTN Sciencentre

Rossum offers a holiday programme at the MTN Sciencentre over the December and January holidays.

Where :                    MTN Sciencentre in Canal Walk Shopping Centre
When :                     See schedule below for dates.
First session 09:00-10:30
Second session 11:00-12:30
Cost :                      R75 per session.
Bookings :               Essential to book in advance at neels@rossum.co.za or
sms to 082 3343 259

Introduction to visual programming - Robo Pro (2 sessions)

This is an easy introduction to computer programming for those who have never programmed before. Students will use of a visual flowchart style programming language called Robo Pro to create simple sequences to control lights and motors.

Age group :                       8 to 13
Prerequisites :                   None.
Level :                               Lego League participants should skip this and move on to ‘Visual Programming’.

Visual programming - Robo Pro (2 sessions)
A more comprehensive look at programming concepts and the building blocks such as sub-programs, variables and flow controls. It takes off from the ‘Introduction to visual programming’ to create more complex sequences using various methods of iteration and decision-making. Students will  write  programs to control more complex machines and create user interfaces for them.
Age group:                        8 to 18
Prerequisites:                    Introduction to visual programming (unless participated in Lego League)

Introduction to Python (2 sessions)
This  is an introduction to Python, a syntax based programming language and step up from visual programming. This is the start to real programming in a language that offers sufficient scope and depth to do the things Robo Pro or the NXT Programming Language  couldn’t. See www.python.org
Age group :                         8 to 18
Prerequisites:                   Visual programming or sufficient background.

Python Programming (2 sessions)
More building blocks for Python and a follow on from the introduction. Students will look at interfacing with the sensors, motors and other devices through Python; reading input from the keybord and dealing with dates and time.
Age group :                         8 to 18
Prerequisites :                   Introduction to Python

Python Sound and Graphics (4 sessions)
An introduction to working with sound and graphics in Python. Playing music files and writing images, shapes and colors to the screen. This is the starting point for students who would like to create their own games one day.

Age group:                        8 to 18
Prerequisites :                   Python Programming or sufficient background.

Mobile Python (4 sessions)
An introduction to writing programs for the cell phone platform to control devices, send sms’es and small applications in Python for Symbian Operating system.
Age group :                      10 to 18
Prerequisites :                   Python Programming or sufficient background.

2D Design in Google Sketchup (2 sessions)
An introduction to creating 2D designs using Google Sketchup with the aim of getting it cut from paper, vinyl or Perspex. Instead of printing with ink, the designs are cut from paper and vinyl. The starting place for students who are keen to learn how to design objects, buildings and projects on the computer and manufacture them using computer controlled tools. Visit the Google Sketchup site for more information on the design software. http://sketchup.google.com/
Age group :                       8 to 18
Prerequisites :                   None

More 2D Design in Google Sketchup (2 sessions)
More projects and practical work in designing and computer controlled cutting.
Age group :                       8 to 18
Prerequisites                     2D Design in Google Sketchup

3D Design in Google Sketchup (2 sessions)

An introduction to modeling real objects in 3D using the computer. Students who either would like to one day design cars, objects, furniture and objects for computer games should start here.
Age group :                       8 to 18
Prerequisites :                   None.

More 3D Design in Google Sketchup
Further tools, techniques and practical projects in Google Sketchup.
Age group :                       8 to 18
Prerequisites :                   3D Design in Google Sketchup

Robotics Academy established at Durbanville Primary

Durbanville Primary and Rossum Robotics are excited to announce that we have partnered to establish a Rossum Robotics Academy at Durbanville Primary.

Durbanville Primary will be the first school in the northern suburbs to host a Rossum Robotics Academy. The Academy will be hosted at the school and presented by lecturers from Rossum Robotics and administered as part of a private technology institution.

Rossum Robotics and Durbanville Primary are committed to prepare children for the fast changing, technology pervasive world and to equip them with the required analytical, creative and collaborative thinking skills that will ensure their future success.

When Robot programmers get bored

Have a look at this very funny video about a Industrial Robotic arm and its bored programmer.

 

Putting Science and Technology in learners’ hands

As part of National Science Week (10 – 17 May 2008) Fischertechnik and Rossum Academy will be hosting educator workshops at the MTN Sciencentre.

These workshops will explore exciting ways in which to bring the concepts in the national school curriculum to life and to light using educational building and robotics kits. We will be sharing some of the demonstrations and experiments that teachers and their students can do that will truly bring a new dimension to the classroom.

In line with this year’s theme for National Science Week, we want educators to come and see how to put Science and Technology really in the youth’s hands in the classroom.

Examples of concepts we will explore
• Mechanics – gearing, levers, pulleys, mechanical advantage
• Pneumatics and Hydraulics – pumps, pistons, pressure and volume
• Renewable energy – solar, wind and hydro-electric generation
• Electricity - generators, motors, energy storage, capacitors
• Electronics – sensors, actuators, integrated circuits, controllers
• Visual programming languages and flow charts
• Control systems and pre-engineering concepts

Who should attend?
Primary and secondary school educators and curriculum advisors in the fields of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Science, Technology, IT, Design and Computer studies.

Details of the workshops
Date:       Tuesday 13 May and Thursday 15 May 2008
Time:       15:30 - 16:30
Venue:     MTN Sciencentre classroom, Canal Walk

For more info or to reserve your seat contact us on info@rossum.co.za or phone Neels on 082 334 3250.

We encourage all educators to attend one of these workshops.

Robots at the operating table the way to go

A recent New York Times article indicated the growign role that robots are playing in the medical field - increasingly for sensitive surgical procedures.

From cardiac procedures to cosmetic surgery to orthopedic operations, robots are already a $1 billion segement of the medical device industry.

According to the article: “Many urologists performing prostate surgery view the precise, tremor-free movements of a robot as the best way to spare nerves crucial to bladder control and sexual potency. A robot’s ability to deftly handle small tools may lead to a less invasive procedure and faster recovery for a patient. Robots also can protect surgeons from physical stress and exposure to X-rays that may force them into premature retirement.”

As robots revolutionized the manufacturing industry in the 1980’s, experts are now predicting that robots would eventually operate as precisely as the world’s greatest surgeons, but doing so far more tirelessly and in remote locations thanks to control via satelite links.

Read the full article for more information

 

Next Page »