Natomas Institute of Technology
Junior Scientists of America Robotics Learning Program for Kids
Figure 1: A 7 year old learning how to read blue prints to assemble a robot.
Natomas Institute of Technology (NIT) understands that robotics, 3D printing, and computer sciences are coupling in such a manner, that we foresee that within the next century, many jobs of previous generations will be replaced by robotics and computer scientist technologies.
Figure 2: "Insecta", a scorpion-fly-spider-crab hybrid robot built by a 7 and 9 year old JSR team.
Watch this robot in action by clicking HERE.
Watch this robot in action by clicking HERE.
In the 1850's machines burst onto the scene to start the industrial revolution, which increased the world's population from a billion to 7 billion people. Mechanical manufacturing increased the amount of production worldwide, which increased the carrying capacity of the Earth, or the ability of the Earth to sustain larger populations, fueled by cheap oil.
Figure 3: A hissing snake robot built by a 3, 7, and 9 year old team.
Watch this robot in action by clicking HERE.
Watch this robot in action by clicking HERE.
Now 160+ years later, the internet and free-software-for-marketing data and access has replaced many industries, and thus many jobs, as have more efficient fully-automated machines. Security guards have been replaced by sophisticated security systems involving heat and motion sensors, streaming wifi video cameras, and police-autodial functions. Many stores have replaced cashiers with automated tellers, Google and the UK are trying to phase in cars and trucks that drive themselves, UPS and FedEx are looking into using air drones to deliver packages, and the US and other police and militaries are creating robot armies in the air, on the ground, and in the water. Hospitals like UCSF are already using robots in their hallways to perform basic tasks and increasingly more sophisticated tasks. Google and Microsoft have released health technologies that can monitor cancer, sunlight exposure, heart rates, and a host of other medical conditions, sure to eventually replace sectors of the medical field.
Figure 4: A problem-solving gal looking for the right combination of robotic parts.
In short, over the next century, robots and computers will be replacing much of the human labor force, as robots don't complaint, don't need to go on lunch breaks, don't have rights, don't need a pension, and when they breakdown, they can be repaired, reused, and/or recycled.
Figure 5: The first robot built at NIT, built by a 7 year and 9 year old girls team.
With robotics sure to take a central role on the world stage, NIT Junior Scientists of America Junior Robotics Program is preparing the workforce of tomorrow today by teaching kids how to build robots and how to program these robots, to seed their interest in what will soon be one of the most important industries in the world, next to the production of food and energy.
Figure 6: A 7 year old showing a 3 year old how to put a robot together.
Teaching kids how to design and 3D-print robotic parts, how to assemble robots, and how to program them, will give these kids a competitive advantage as adults, with respect to finding work in the world's future workforce, allowing them to secure the resources required to survive and grow.
Figure 7: A 7 and 9 year old launching a 3D-printed product on Kickstarter.
Figure 8: A 7 year old programming a robotic head-scratching crown.
ENROLLMENT INFORMATION
NIT enrolls students in the JSA Junior Robotics Program on a first-come-first-serve basis on an ongoing basis, as enrollment is limited. Catering and flexible to the schedules of parents, with some limitations, we offer four different robotics learning programs for kids in a safe environment under the supervision of NIT staff, and the watchful eye of a video surveillance system, which parents may view at any time upon request. Parents of enrolled students may drop off their kids, or they are welcome and definitely encouraged to participate in the robot building and programming sessions with their kids for some quality family time! Three of the four learning programs allow students to keep the robots and remote controls they build.
BEGINNERS ROBOTICS PROGRAM - $25/hour*
The cost of the BEGINNERS Robotics Program is $99 per month per child, and the child and/or parent (parents with enrolled children are free) come to NIT one hour per week, at a time that is convenient for them, with some limitations, and the child works on building and programing one of 10 different robot designs and a remote control. Due to the high cost of the robotics equipment (retail price of $400/set), the child may not keep the robot for this particular learning program, but they do become familiar with how to use and program robotics equipment. *There is a minimum enrollment requirement of a month for this program, which equates to just under $25 per one hour learning session.
INTERMEDIATE ROBOTICS PROGRAM - $33/hour**
The cost of the INTERMEDIATE Robotics Program is $99 per week per child, and the child and/or parent (parents with enrolled children are free) come to NIT three hours per week, at a time that is convenient for them, with some limitations, and the child works on building and programing one of 15 different robot designs and a remote control. The child will keep the robot (retail value of $400/set) at the end of the program, which they can use to make and program at least 15 different robots and a remote control. **There is a minimum enrollment requirement of two months for this program, which equates to just under $33 per one hour learning session, and your child gets to keep the robot making kit to make other robots on their own!
ADVANCED ROBOTICS PROGRAM - $22/Hour***
The cost of the ADVANCED Robotics Program is $199 per week per child, and the child and/or parent (parents with enrolled children are free) come to NIT three hours per week, three days per week, at a time that is convenient for them, with some limitations, and the child works on building and programing one of 20 different robot designs and a remote control, or on their own design/robot. The child will keep the robot (retail value of $400/set) at the end of the program, which they can use to make and program as many as 3000 different robots and a remote control. ***There is a minimum enrollment requirement of one month for this program, which equates to just under $22 per one hour learning session, and your child gets to keep the robot making kit to make other robots on their own!
ROBOTICS AND PROGRAMMING INCUBATOR PROGRAM - $66/Hour****
The cost of the ROBOTICS and PROGRAMMING INCUBATOR PROGRAM is $199 per week per child, and the child and/or parent (parents with enrolled children are free) come to NIT three hours per week, at a time that is convenient for them, with some limitations. This four week class combines problem-solving, product development, and organizational development strategies with Lego Mindstorm EV3 robot-making and object-based computer programming, in the following manner. In week 1, the class brainstorms a problem that needs to be solved by the robotic design and programming of class participants. The participants begin to build the robotic solution in week 1. In week 2, the participants finish building the robotic solution and begin to program the robotic solution. In week 3, the participants finish programming the robotic solution, and begin developing a mock business plan for the new product around the Balanced Scorecard Strategy and Star-McKinsey 7S Model. In week 4, the participants finish the mock business plan for the newly developed robotic solution. The child will keep the robot (retail value of $400/set) at the end of the program, which they can use to make and program as many as 3000 different robots and a remote control. ****There is a minimum one month enrollment requirement for this program, which equates to just under $66 per one hour learning session, and your child gets to keep the robot making kit to make other robots on their own!
INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY
Frederick Janson is a published and graduate-level business professor with 22 years of experience and education in R&D and organizational development, who has worked with hundreds of organizations, including, but not limited to, Fortune 500 companies and Stanford University School of Medicine, to develop over a billion dollars worth of patents and products, including his own.
Enroll Today
To enroll your child, email natomasinstitutetechnology@gmail.com, to check for availability.
All Rights Reserved, Natomas Institute of Technology, 2014
