Through a program at the DeKalb Public Library, the NIU Robotics Club recently helped spur on the engineering passion of youngsters.
Attended by about 30 people, the interactive hour this past Saturday in the library’s Story and Activity Room included multiple stations where children, mostly elementary-school age, could dive into fun hands-on learning.
One game designed by the club was “Hungry Hungry Robo,” where NIU students built two simple remote-controlled cars with a fun challenge: to get more ducks on your side than your opponent.
“This game was a crowd favorite,” said Wyatt Bliss, Robotics Club president. “We kept the robots simple, making them easy for kids to understand and enjoy. It was a fantastic collaboration with the library.”
Families provided very positive feedback about the event, said Youth Services Librarian Laura Warmke, who had proposed the partnership over the summer through the club’s Facebook page.
“All four of the students did a really good job of interacting with, engaging and encouraging the kids,” said Warmke. “It was wonderful to see the room so full of activity.”
The Huskie students also taught principles of robotics through Bristle Bots (a tiny toothbrush robot), robotic mice mazes and other interactive robots.
In addition to Bliss, club members who participated were Vice President Cooper Christman, Treasurer Allen Nguyen and Webmaster Daniel Alwicker.
“It’s fun for children to learn from these students who have so much expertise,” Warmke said. “We look forward to continuing this partnership in the future.”
The Robotics Club will also play a supporting role in an upcoming College of Engineering and Engineering Technology Open House for prospective students and their families. On Saturday, November 16, from 12:30 to 1 p.m., club members will host a one-pound robotics competition in Room 254 of the Engineering Building, 590 Garden Road.
“We’re excited to keep building on this momentum,” said Bliss, a junior electrical engineering major.
Follow the NIU Robotics Club on Facebook. E-mail: niurobotics@gmail.com.
