Everyone from private organizations to not-for-profits and politicians are touting the importance of STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – in the educational system. Many educators agree with the push to increase STEM subjects, but they also feel an important subject has been left out: the arts. That is where STEAM comes in; it adds one more letter to the acronym to include what many view is an essential addition for creating truly innovative and groundbreaking technology in the future.
The Robotic Idol is a competition with 140 California schools looking for support from local organizations searching for sponsorship opportunities. It is a programming competition for Grades 6-12 using the robotic platform called NAO from Aldebaran Robotics. The NAO is a fully programmable, interactive and autonomous robot that gives the user many different options to interact with the unit. The Robotic Idol competition will give students opportunities to learn physical theories of motion, balance and control as well as teamwork while programming the unit.
The company hopes many girls will participate in the competition to encourage them to pursue the core curriculums of STEAM, which will hopefully lead them to careers in science and technology.
Although schools across the state of California are very interested, budget constraints are making it difficult for everyone to participate. By seeking sponsorship, the schools hope individuals and public and private organizations will support this ambitious project. The robots will not only be used during the competition, but once it is over they will be able to use it throughout the year to learn about robotic kinematics, computer science, math and physics.
The general rule for the Robotic Idol states:
- Robotic Idol is a programming competition for students in Grades 6-12.
- Each team will be expected to create and develop, during a three-month period, three dance behaviors for NAO that they will have to execute during the competition.
- Each dance will be 80 seconds long.
- Dances will be judged on choreography, technique, showmanship and precision based on a point system.
Aldebaran Robotics was founded by Bruno Maisonnier in 2005, and since that time more than 3500 NAO robots are operating around the world in more than 70 countries in schools and universities for education and research.
Art education stimulates and develops imagination as well as critical and cognitive thinking that can be used not only in the arts but also in all of the STEM subjects. The arts can positively impact the developmental growth in children by developing skills that allows them to create, appreciate, be aware, and respect different cultures and viewpoints.
