Dr. Mark Lucas shows participants the programs used to control the robots.
An Ohio University father-son team organized a “Robotics Day” at the Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery in August to celebrate the beginning of the new school year.
Schoolchildren and families explored 3D printing, a “Robot Arena,” an electronic circuit workshop, and construction of a cardboard robotic hand.
Visitors also were invited to explore some of the museum’s permanent interactive displays and activity stations.
Dr. Mark Lucas is Associate Professor of Physics, and his son Ryan Lucas ’17 is a sophomore in the Russ College of Engineering and Technology’s Department of Mechanical Engineering,
The father-son team was assisted by graduate student volunteers from the Department of Physics & Astronomy, volunteers from the Russ College of Engineering and Technology and medical student volunteers from the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Science outreach events such as the Robotics Day foster the imagination of young people in the community and introduce Ohio University students to the service opportunities in the Appalachian Ohio region.
The next Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery event about physics is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors will learn about the physics of sound and “watch” sound waves in a variety of experiments, make instrument, and learn about recorded sounds. At 11 a.m., Dr. Martin Kordesch, Professor of Physics, will present “From Mouthpiece to Bell – the Shapes of Wind Instruments.” At noon, Dr. Eric Stinaff, Associate Professor of Physics, will present “Shattering Glass with Sound.” At 1 p.m., actor Dayton Willison will hold a Musical Theater Workshop.
The Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery is a non-profit, volunteer-driven community organization with a commitment to creating unique educational and recreational experiences for children and their families in Southeastern Ohio. The museum is located in donated space in the Market on State on East State Street in Athens. The admission fee is $2 per person over 2 years of age, with a maximum of $7 per family. Visit the Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery Facebook page for upcoming event information.
More ‘Robotics Day’ images (with descriptive captions) may be viewed on the Department of Physics and Astronomy’s Facebook page.
‘Robot Arena’ participants control robots with wireless or with an old (reliable) TV remote control at ‘Robotics Day’ at the Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery.
Physics graduate student Sean Krupa explains how the 3D printer works.
Athens High School senior Elisa Bergmeier demonstrates how to control Minecraft with ripe bananas and aluminum foil at an activity table.
The aluminum foil and bananas act like switches that are connected by wires to the Arduino-based rectangular platform (upper right) which sends keyboard and mouse commands to the computer.
Russ College of Engineering graduate student Letian Lin brought the robot RoboCat for visitors to inspect. The RoboCat was first built with an Air Force grant in 2009, and has been used in several Russ College of Engineering Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering research projects.
Dr. Justin Frantz helps with the construction of cardboard robotic hands.
Physics graduate students Leo Zella and Martin Graham supervise the electrical circuits workshops. Here participants learn how to hook up electrical circuits with motors, buzzers, and small light bulbs.
Warren High School physics teacher and Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery volunteer Larry King makes adjustments on his Vex robot for the ‘Robot Arena’.
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