La Sierra rolls out first robotics summer camp

  Science+Technology+Environment  

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – A new summer camp at La Sierra University will offer those interested in robotics an opportunity to learn computer programming and build their own robots.

In this 2015 photo, La Sierra Academy sophomore Lewis Keyes, left, reads instructions on how to make a connection on an Adruino microcontroller board while academy sophomore Cory Cheesebro carries out the task. The students were participating in a robotics club led by La Sierra University computer science Professor Enoch Hwang. (Photo courtesy of Enoch Hwang)
In this 2015 photo, La Sierra Academy sophomore Lewis Keyes, left, reads instructions on how to make a connection on an Adruino microcontroller board while academy sophomore Cory Cheesebro carries out the task. The students were participating in a robotics club led by La Sierra University computer science Professor Enoch Hwang. (Photo courtesy of Enoch Hwang)

Robotics Summer Camp, scheduled over two weeks between June 13 – 24 will provide participants ages 9 and up with hands-on activities that teach robotics, computer programming, electronics, and analytical thinking. The summer camp will conclude with a robot-building competition in which the winners will take home their robots.

Participants will use an Arduino kit to build their robots. The kit cost is included in the camp registration fee and comes with the Adruino microcontroller board, USB cable, LEDs, buzzer, push button, various sensors, motor and other components.

“It’s been my passion to work with electronics and robotics, even when I was a kid,” said Enoch Hwang, organizer of the camp and computer science department chair at La Sierra. “I enjoy teaching others the knowledge I have gained.”

Hwang also leads a robotics club at La Sierra in which he and a group of students with interests in robotics meet regularly to build fun electronic gadgets. Members of the club will assist with the summer camp activities. 

BK Precision Corp., a Yorba Linda-based manufacturer of test and measurement instruments and Global Specialties, a maker of electronic training products also headquartered in Yorba Linda, serve as robotics camp sponsors.

Robotic technology is a burgeoning market that is breaking barriers in ways previously thought not possible, according to various reports. For some, an interest in robotics could lead to a future career in a new arena. A robotics market report published by Business Insider in May 2015 predicts a $1.5 billion market for consumer and business robots by 2019, with a growth rate seven times faster than the market for manufacturing robots.

“Getting first-hand experience in making a robot may enlighten camp participants to pursue a future career in computer and electronics engineering, which is predicted as one of the fastest growing job markets for the next decade,” Hwang said.

Robotics Summer Camp will be held June 13 – 24, Mon. – Fri., 9 a.m. – 12 noon at La Sierra’s Price Science Complex, Room 147. Registration is $80 per person. Registration deadline is May 31. An early-bird discount of 10% will be applied with online registration and payment before May 11. 

For registration and information visit www.RobotsForFun.com, or email info@robotsforfun.com. La Sierra University is located at 4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside. A campus map is available at https://lasierra.edu/campus-map/.

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