Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Local STEM group helps local kids celebrate National Robotics Week

FAME Delaware

Six years ago, Congress and the iRobot corporation designated the second week of April as National Robotics Week to raise awareness of robots and their impact on society.

In recognition of National Robotics Week, STEM organization FAME - the Forum to Advance Minorities in Engineering - holds its fourth annual Delaware Robotics Day this Saturday at Barclays Bank in Wilmington.

Attendees will hear from some of the top roboticists in the region as part of a panel discussion featuring top experts from University of Delaware, University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, among others. Following the speakers, there will be a “Robotics Block Party,” where families can build robots of all shapes and sizes. Visitors will also see robots that are out working with humans, such as the Wilmington Police Explosive Ordnance Robot -- which safely disarms explosive devices.

FAME executive director Donald Baker says getting kids engaged in critical thinking activities like robotics has wide-ranging benefits for our society.

 

“In order for this nation and this state specifically to get to the point where we’re attracting industry, we have to have kids who are prepared to work and learn and robotics prepares them for that in a unique way,” said Baker.

 

Baker adds robotics is also an effective way to inspire young people to think about their future.

 

“I think I’m most proud though to see a child to really just learn to dream. And sometimes that’s a skill we forget about,” said Baker.

Delaware Robotics Day takes place on April 11, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Barclays Bank in Wilmington.