A Behind-The-Scenes Look at FLATE’s Robotics Camps

FLATE’s robotics camps are deemed highly popular. Campers are undoubtedly the stars of the show, but there is much more to the camps and many individuals who contribute to its success. In this edition of the camp, we take a look at some of the instructors, robotics camp assistants, and examine the role of our partners in making FLATE’s robotics camp a top-of-the-line offering.

We begin this “behind-the-scenes” look with our new camp director, Desh Bagley, who is also

FLATE’s outreach manager. Desh brought a fresh dimension by injecting her passion/knowledge for computers and robotics into this year’s camp/challenges. Bagley also developed a new format for the high school camp that was very well received by instructors, campers, and parents alike. “Coordinating the FLATE robotics camps is always a rewarding experience” said Bagley. “Seeing campers grasp new concepts and then apply those concepts to solve real-world problems is very satisfying for me.” 

Instructors, Ken Fiallos and Dr. Alessandro Anzalone, also augmented the overall camp experience. Fiallos wears many hats. He is the president of the Florida Robotics Alliance and

heads the Florida West Coast (FWC) BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology) initiative at Hillsborough Community College (HCC) in Brandon. As part of this partnership with FLATE, Ken served as the instructor and content developer for one of the high school camp challenge that was focused on learning how to use Arduino Uno Microprocessors and building digital systems. To help with teaching the curriculum, Fiallos also brought volunteers from IEEE. Dr. Alessandro Anzalone, program manager and instructor for the engineering technology program at HCC-Brandon was also another key player. Dr. Anzalone, trained Bagley on the 3D printer software, and trained Mercedes Heredia, 2013 camp assistant on the chemical bath for support removal. Anzalone also helped set-up the 3D printers, and gave a presentation to high school students highlighting the two year A.S. degree in engineering technology currently offered at HCC and 14 state and community colleges across Florida.

In addition to Fiallos and Anzalone, Elizabeth Heli and Allan Dyer have enjoyed a long-

standing relationship with FLATE as lead instructors. Dyer has been the instructor since the inception of the camps in 2006, while Heli has primarily served as the instructor for the All Girls robotics camp since 2010. “Technology affords teachers a more hands-off approach, and makes way for greater self-exploration and problem-based learning for students” says Dyer. Heli and Dyer both agree their engagement with the camp has given them a chance to exercise a more “advisory role” in guiding campers and sharpening their problem-solving skills.

Involving research students like Johann Villasmil brought fresh perspective to the table.

Vilasmil’s expertise working with NAO humanoid robots gave him an edge in developing curriculum and challenges for three NAO-related lessons for the high school robotics camp. Vilasmil, a Ph.D. student at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa, was also involved in FLATE’s robotics open house in May 2013 where he gave a demonstrations of the NAO robot to students and parents. Vilasmil’s ivolvement with the camp not only benefitted students, but expanded his own understanding of NAO robots and configuring algorithms and timelines.

Outside the camp curriculum, camp assistant, Mercedes Heredia were vital in keeping a tab on daily administrative tasks. Heredia worked closely with all instructors and helped campers work through daily challenges. Heredia who is currently pursuing an A.S. degree in engineering technology at HCC says working closely with the campers not only gave her a better understanding of robotics, but bolstered her own interest in the field.

In all of this, industry partners bear special mention. This year’s industry hosts: Southern Manufacturing Technologies (SMT), Chromalloy, LEDnovation played an integral role by hosting industry tours. Outside its involvement with the camp, SMT has participated in a number of industry tours, workshops, and hosted the FLATE Industrial Advisory Committee meeting. On the same token, Publix Supermarket has sponsored bottled water since the inception of the camp in 2007, and hosted student tours throughout the academic year. Other partners who contributed to overall camp success include Bay Area Manufacturers Association, SME Chapter 159, Technical Training Aids, Team Associates & HCC.

FLATE values support and contribution of all its partners and stakeholders. Local, regional

and state-wide businesses, industries and professional organizations are encouraged to take an active role in assisting FLATE in a variety of ways. To that end, FLATE has a compiled a list of resources and best practice guides for partners who wish to undertake outreach to students in their local/regional communities. You can access these resources at the Made in Florida website, or contact Dr. Marilyn Barger at barger@fl-ate.org. 

Local Manufacturer Helps Underprivileged Students Achieve Educational and Career Goals

Manufacturers occupy a central role in strengthening the economy of Florida as the state is

home to some of the most trusted names in the manufacturing industry. Leaders like Tropicana play an important role in enhancing the fabric of local communities. Tropicana, owned by PepsiCo Inc., is an American multinational company and considered a global leader in the production and marketing of branded fruit juices (Source: www.tropicana.com). As part of this commitment, the company owns several initiatives reinforcing its role as a responsible corporate citizen.

The Bradenton Mosaic Academy at Palmetto High School in Palmetto, FL is one such

initiative established in 2011 by the PepsiCo Mosaic Employee Resource Group (ERG), a predominantly African-American ERG at Tropicana’s Bradenton, Florida site. Lillian Elliott, director for Supply Chain Quality & Organization Capability, says “the ERG group represents PepsiCo’s strategic initiative to foster growth and development of the local community.” Over the course of two years, the Academy has made significant strides in impacting high school students in the community. Each year 12 sophomore students are enrolled in the Academy and in May 2013 the first class of ten juniors completed their first year.  The second class of 12 was inducted in April 2013.

Mentors, comprising of six PepsiCo/Tropicana ERG members coach and council students

throughout the academic year helping students prepare for graduation and continuing their education. From basic social skills such as shaking hands and introductions to writing college application essays, setting goals, imbibing professional etiquette, developing presentation skills and applying for scholarships, students develop a better understanding of what’s required to be successful. In addition to its partnership with Palmetto High School, the PepsiCo Mosaic ERG also provides a six-week summer mentorship program for students ages 11-15 at the 13^th Avenue Community Center in Bradenton. The program has been in effect for the past 14 years.  

Mentors include senior executives as well as employees from finance, manufacturing, quality, logistics, sales and human resources. Subject matter varies each year and can range from

entrepreneurship to roles in manufacturing, health and wellness and financial responsibility. Senior executives provide coaching in project management, strategic planning and presentation skills. During the program, students are given the opportunity to compete in an environment reflective of a realistic business. At the conclusion, students present business results to mentors, senior leadership and ERG Leaders. A winning team is selected based on product sales, weekly presentations and adherence to program requirements. 

The 13th Ave Community Center director has identified this program as a best practice.  “We will continue to do what we are doing, to meet the need of the students” Elliott said. The student’s return rate for participation is 70% with some students enrolled in the program for as long as five years. For more information on Tropicana’s Mosaic Academy visit www.tropicana.com or contact Lillian Elliot, Director Supply Chain Quality at Tropicana at lillian.j.elliott@pepsico.com.

Summer Energy Camp Excites Students about STEM and Renewable Energy

The third year of FLATE’s summer energy camp was a huge success with the highest attendance ever and feedback from both teachers and students overwhelmingly positive! Thirty 7^th and 8^th grade students from Beth Shields and Pierce middle schools were treated to four days of exciting, hands-on activities centered on capturing and keeping their interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) subjects – specifically renewable energy. By participating in the camp, students also learned about the diverse and exciting careers available in the field of clean energy.

Camp participants were part of Hillsborough County School District’s AVID (Advancement

Via Individual Determination) Excel program, consisting of first generation college-bound, English language learners. This year marked the first year, two schools participated in the camp, with Pierce Middle School bussing in students daily from Tampa to join Beth Shields Elementary students who have been attending since the camp first started in 2011. This year’s camp schedule was abbreviated to avoid issues with bussing and student transportation and to eliminate attendance problems experienced in previous years. Two AVID teachers from each school also attended with the students daily.

This year’s new camp instructor, Kyla DonLevy, (currently an environmental sciences and AP biology teacher at Durant High School), brought her enthusiasm and obvious love for STEM subjects to the camp and had a great rapport with students. Kyla has made a full-circle FLATE journey as she participated in one of FLATE’s professional development workshops focused on renewable energy two years ago at the South Shore Campus and this year returned as a camp instructor!

The amazing activities the students participated in this year included making solar stills and

solar cookers (unfortunately the sun didn’t cooperate but we still managed to make s’mores and some partially cooked pizza rolls!), charging student cell phones with solar panels, mining for fossil fuels, and learning about hydropower and wind power. On the second day of camp TECO hosted students for an incredible tour providing them with the opportunity to get a close-up look at the power plant that is right in their back yard.

On the final day of camp, students raced hydrogen-fueled cars and were given a fabulous “Green” tour by Shiela McCants, student services manager. Hillsborough Community College’s SouthShore campus is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver-certified by the USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council), and boasts an earth-friendly, energy-conscious functionality incorporating a number of sustainable features. These include solar panels, a rainwater recycling process, maximum use of natural light and a raised-floor HVAC system that provides greater efficiencies for cooling. It was great to be able to show students that HCC is practicing what it preaches!

Students’ feedback from the final camp survey illustrated strongly how much they learned

about energy while at the same time having fun. Student comments included, “The experiments we did were a magnificent experience for an 8^th grader, ‘We got to be creative and at the same time learn something, ‘The thing I like about energy is we do these awesome projects of energy.” One hundred percent of the students said they learned new things about energy and 95% stated that they felt the camp would help them making future career choices with over half saying that they would consider a career in clean energy.

Teachers’ comments included, “I really liked the hands on activity for each day. It got the kids very involved and kept them interested all the way through,” “I really liked the hands on activity for each day. It got the kids very involved and kept them interested all the way through”. FLATE hopes to offer the energy camp again next summer with the possibility of adding a high school version in Plant City.

For more information on the camp and curriculum, and/or education and training materials related to alternative/renewable energy technologies visit www.fl-ate.org and www.madeinflorida.org. You can also contact Nina Stokes, project manager for FESC at stokes@fl-ate.org. 

Call for Volunteers For FWC BEST Robotics Competition

We, as Educators and Engineers know STEM Careers are a major driving force in our economy. However

College enrollment trends in the U.S. indicate that there is a significant drop in students enrolling in engineering, science and technology related fields. Research indicates that students perceive these fields as too difficult and involves extensive course studies. In the Greater Tampa Bay Area our RAS Chapter estimates that less than 1% of the High School Students participate in Robotics Education.  

As a result of these trends, the IEEE membership of our RAS Chapter set up a non-profit corporation called the Florida Robotics Alliance (FRA) with our Partners HCC, HCPS, FLATE, the USF Stavros Center, supportive USF Engineering Faculty and the East Lake Community Library    to help foster interest among school aged students in the fields of engineering, business and science. Specifically FRA’s focus is to engage our youth in hands-on Robotics Competitions designed to expose them comprehensively to Robotics and Automated Manufacturing based Business Possibilities.

FRA’s first project: “FWC BEST (Boosting Science Technology and Mathematics) at HCC” needs volunteers in quest to expose to students to the basic aspects of design, engineering, business and manufacturing augmented by other workplace skills such time management, team leadership, problem solving skills, critical thinking and conflict resolution. Won’t you please help us? Volunteer at http://bit.ly/18FPeFk, or contact Ken Fiallos P.E.& Chair IEEE FWCS RAS Chapter at  ken@tampabay.rr.com.