October 31, 2013 - For the fifth consecutive season, igus is a sponsor for Botball, an educational robotics program produced by the KISS Institute for Practical Robotics. The Botball Educational Robotics Program provides real-world relevance and development of rigorous STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) skills that are immediately applicable in college and demanding industries. Teams of middle and high school students design, build, program and document original autonomous robots to play in an open-solution tournament.
Through the Y.E.S. (Young Engineers Support) Program, igus donated Energy Chain cable carriers and DryLin linear guide systems to each team for the 2013 competition.
The Y.E.S. Program is designed to foster the mechanical design ideas and inventions of students who have a passion for engineering. The program aims to not only support students and engineers, but also educate them on the merits and benefits of plastic components.
After an optional fall competition in November, students will have seven weeks beginning in January 2014 to prepare two autonomous robots, while documenting their engineering process online. Participants later compete against each other on a playing field in one of 17 U.S. regional tournaments. The robots must be student-built and programmed to maneuver on the game field without using a remote control.
By exposing students to an inquiry-based, learn-by-doing activity that appeals to their hearts as well as their minds, Botball addresses our nation’s need for a well-prepared, creative, yet disciplined workforce with leadership and teamwork experience.
About igus
igus develops industry-leading Energy Chain cable carriers, Chainflex continuous-flex cables, DryLin linear bearings and linear guides, iglide plastic bushings, and igubal spherical bearings. These seemingly unrelated products are linked together through a belief in making functionally advanced, yet affordable plastic components and assemblies. With plastic bearing experience since 1964, cable carrier experience since 1971 and continuous-flex cable since 1989, igus provides the right solution of over 80,000 products available in stock. No minimum order required.