ROBOTS: EXERCISE EQUIPMENT FOR THE NEW GYMNASIUM

GEARS Educational Systems designs and builds educational robotic equipment which helps high school, college and university students develop practical understanding of mechanical and electrical engineering, communication skills and scientific curiosity. GEARS systems bring excitement and passion to classrooms, foster creativity and have been used to construct award-winning competition robots. Michael Bastoni's presentation will focus on how robotic and technical contests drive commercial markets; on the essential qualities of educational equipment for engineering students; and on how to optimize the equipment, competitions and educational strategies?

This will be the second meeting at our new regular venue: Olin College, Olin Way, Needham, MA 02492, http://www.olin.edu/. It will be held on Tuesday, September 11, 2007; door open 6:00 PM, presentation 6:30 PM, followed by a no-host dinner at 8:00 PM at Bertucci’s, 1257 Highland Ave., Needham, MA 02492.

For more information about this meeting contact Chapter Chair Peter Meyer at 781-334-0052 or info@robotics-boston.org or visit http://www.robotics-boston.org/

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MAIN ARTICLE

IEEE Robotics and Automation Society

Central New England Chapter

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Door open: 6:00 PM

Presentation: 6:30 PM

ROBOTS: EXERCISE EQUIPMENT FOR THE NEW GYMNASIUM

Presented by

Michael Bastoni

Gears Educational Systems, LLC

E-mail: mbastoni@gearseds.com

http://www.gearseds.com

Excitement and passion enhance learning and achievement. Schools throughout the industrialized world are building new gymnasiums populated with materials, equipment and pedagogical strategies that enhance excitement and passion through participation in engineering and robot design competitions. To best prepare students and teachers for these emerging technical sports, it is necessary to provide them with access to robust training equipment and effective engineering exercises.

There has been, of late, an educational convergence leading to the development of primary, secondary and post-secondary academic activities in which success is predicated on technological acumen. Design expertise, the use of scientific inquiry, communications skills and a practical understanding of electronic and mechanical systems coupled with basic physical science and mathematics knowledge, are popularly recognized skill sets equivalent to running, jumping catching and throwing. Designing and building robots is a particularly efficient method of developing creative technical skill sets. Robot workouts are a great way to focus passion, purpose and the pursuit of deeper technical understanding necessary to create innovative solutions to authentic problems.

Michael’s company, GEARS Educational Systems designs and builds technological strength training equipment, textural resources and strategic partnerships designed to support the engineering gymnasiums that populate the junior high schools, high schools, colleges and universities throughout the industrialized world. Michael's presentation will focus on how robotic and technical contests drive commercial markets; on the essential qualities of educational equipment for engineering students; and on how to optimize the equipment, competitions and educational strategies.

SPEAKER'S BIOGRAPHY

Michael Bastoni’s work as an educator and entrepreneur is focused on the creation of engineering education equipment, environments and experiences that empower students, stimulate creativity and facilitate the cross pollination of ideas and information. In 1996 Michael began developing prototyping equipment used to help teachers and students develop the technical literacy and skills needed to successfully participate in engineering activities and robotics competitions. Since 1994, his student engineering teams have competed successfully in many local, regional and national robotic and engineering competitions. His honors include the Harvard Club Prize book for excellence in teaching and the Woodie Flowers Award for effective communication in the art and science of engineering and design.

MEETING INFORMATION AND DIRECTIONS

The IEEE Robotics and Automation Society will meet at its new regular venue: Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering, Olin Way, Needham, MA 02492, http://www.olin.edu/ on Tuesday, September 11, 2007, for an informal discussion at 6:00 PM and the presentation at 6:30.

Directions to Olin College: Take Route 95/128 to exit 19B (Highland Avenue, Needham). Follow Highland Avenue for 1.5 miles to a three-way intersection with Chapel and May Streets; bear slight right onto Chapel Street (to the right of the gas station). Take a right at the first light onto Great Plain Avenue/Rte 135. Proceed on Great Plain Avenue for 1.5 miles and the Olin College campus will be on the right. Enter the campus at "Olin Way" and follow the road around to the left to parking lot A, which provides access to all campus buildings. From the parking lot take the walkway up to the Academic Center and follow instructions inside. For more detailed instructions, please refer to http://www.olin.edu/campus/getting_around.asp and follow the link to "Olin College Campus Map" in the left navigation bar.

After the meeting, at approx. 8:00 PM, the group will have a no-host dinner at Bertucci's, 1257 Highland Ave., Needham, MA 02492, where more conversations can take place with the guest speaker. Driving directions from Olin College to Bertucci's: Backtrack the previous route on Great Plain Avenue, Chapel St. to Highland Avenue. The restaurant will be located inside a plaza on the left, about 600 ft past the three-way intersection with Chapel and May Streets.

The meetings are open to the general public, and all are welcome at the dinner afterwards. For more information on IEEE Robotics and Automation Society, please contact Chapter Chair Peter Meyer at (781) 334-0052 or chair@robotics-boston.org or visit http://www.robotics-boston.org/