INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

The Robotics is a scientific area under full development and very appreciated by the youngsters, either for the technological innovation degree that contains and the promising future application.
The Department of Industrial Electronics at the University of Minho, has developed several mobile and autonomous robots over the past few years and has participated in numerous Robotics competitions. University students have seen challenged in these competitions, their scientific knowledge, research and engineering. More recently some mobile robotics national competitions have been created, where they could participate not only students in higher education but also from Secondary, Professional and Basic Schools students. Several lectures on Robotics have been performed in schools as well as some demonstrations with robots on site in order to foster the youngsters in this research area. Young people have demonstrated through these competitions, not just interest in participating as well as their knowledge through the robots that have built.
In addition to the universities to promote these technological areas, it is extremely important that their schools teachers, and even their own parents, encourage them for such initiatives, participating with them in an active form. The RoboParty is an event where young people can learn robotics, together with their teachers and/or parents, and from which everyone always learns something.

WHAT IS RoboParty®

RoboParty® is an educational event that gathers teams of 4 people, during 3 days and 2 nights (bring your sleeping bag) to teach how to build autonomous mobile robots in a simple and entertaining way, supported by qualified tutors. Initially, a short course is given to teach the first steps in electronics, robot programming and mechanical construction. Afterwards, a robotic kit developed by the company SAR - Soluções de Automação e Robótica and by Minho University is supplied to be assembled by the participants (mechanics, electronics and programming), belonging to the team after the event. The tutors will be following the team's work closely in all stages in order to assure that every robot works properly in the end.
In parallel there will be ludic activities such as sports, music, Internet, games, parties, etc. Each participant brings its own sleeping bag and stays overnight in the venue the whole event.
The RoboParty® is identical to a LANParty and it works non-stop since it starts with educational and pedagogical aims. Rules of important national and international robotic competitions are shown and explained where you can also participate.

Event features

1) To provide good fun
2) To provide knowledge and know-how exchange between participants
3) To learn "The introduction and history of Robotics"
4) To learn basic concepts of a mobile robot
5) To learn how to assemble an electronic board to control the robot
6) To learn how to solder the components
7) To learn basic programming commands of robots and computers
8) To build the mechanics of a mobile platform (robot)
9) To understand sensor reading (data signal acquisition)
10) To understand about motor and other device's actuation (to move the robot)
11) To know the national and international robotics competitions (rules, demo videos, how to participate)
12) To show University alternatives in order to enable you to do the right choice at your knowledge stage
13) You also have sports, joy and lots of good fun

This event aims to impulse youngsters to learning areas with a promising future and teach them basic knowledge on science and technology.

CONDITIONS

For under 18 years old who participate on RoboParty ®, we ask the parents to sign this Permission Declaration and to photocopy parents ID card, so that the youngsters bring it with them.

The RoboParty® has:
- Security at night
- Meals for students at 2.15 Euros (at the University canteen)
- Bathrooms / Dressing
- Separate spaces for girls
- Video streaming (parents can see the RoboParty ® working area, from home via Internet)

VISITS

Open to the general public (9:00 - 22:00).
Free entrance.