FAQ

How long have you been offering Rocks and Robots camps?

Rocks and Robots have been offering programs to students since 2002.

What are the qualifications of your staff?

At each of our sites we have the following types of staff working at that site: camp director, site lead, lead teacher and teacher assistant. Our camp directors and site leads have teaching certificates or equivalent years of experience working with children. The lead teacher and teachers are typically college students who are working toward their teaching degree our teaching assistants are high school students that have background in robotics and experience working with students

We have done background checks on all of our staff members and they also go through a pre-camp training which includes CPR, First Aid and other trainings.

What is the student to teacher ratio?

There are a maximum of 6 students per teacher. Often each teachers will have only three pairs of students. In many situations their are even fewer. We love doing this because it allows us to encourage and support individual creativity as well as group skills.

How to you transport the campers?

In Rocks and Robots we take field trips daily. Transportation either occurs in late model rented vans that are inspected daily, or school buses that are driven by licensed bus drivers.

Are prerequisites needed?

No experience is necessary. If your camper has experience we do have a variety of experience levels in each course and try to individualize our program to the needs of each student. If you have specific questions feel free to call.

My child has experience with robots which class should we choose?

We have a variety of courses available and if your child has experience working with the NXT Robot, we can offer more challenges to fit their individual needs. Consider the Extreme Robots: Mayan Adventure or the Buildfest. Some campers like to come back year after year to perfect their Sumo Bots. Because of our small class sizes, we can concentrate more on the individual student and help create a course experience where they will receive appropriate challenges in relation to their experience level.

My child just turned 9, will he/she be the youngest in the class?

The ages are a guildline. Every child is different and you know your camper best. Things to consider are maturity and experience, and comfort with older/younger campers. We have a lot of experience in tayloring chellenges and projects to individual campers.

My child came last year and was in the Sumo Bot class, what course should I choose this year?

If your child came last year and took the Sumo Bot course and wants to work on more building challenges, we offer a course called Bot Build Fest which is all about building.

If your child is interested in getting more experience programming, the Mayan Adventure course offers a variety of advanced programming challenges.

Many campers also want to come back to perfect their Sumo Bot. That is certainly fine.

Do you offer anything during the school year?

Yes. During the school year we work with a variety of school districts and offer after school programs to students. We also do weekend workshops, scout programs and birthday parties. This year we are offering a new program called the Search for Young Engineers. In the Search for Young Engineers we come to your school and offer free one hour robotics lessons with scholarship opportunities. Call or e-mail if you are interested in this program for your school

Can buy a T-Shirt?

Yes, If you missed deadline (May 15th) or want another T-Shirt they are available on a first come first serve basis for $15 each.

What is a Flutterbot?

A Flutterbot is a competition level, award-winning robot that was created by the founder of Rocks and Robots, George Albercook PhD. The Flutterbot was designed specifically as a teaching robot, and students need no previous knowledge of electronics, robotics or computer programming. In the Flutterbot camp session, campers will learn how to read schematics, use prototype breadboards and program in the powerful language C (the operating systems UNIX and LINIX that run the world wide web are written in C.)

Check out www.flutterbot.com for more information about Dr. G’s Flutterbot.

Do you still offer the canoe building?

Yes, call for more information and to schedule a canoe building course. 734-645-0211