Robot-Building Program for Girls Offered at UA

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama College of Engineering will host a program called “UA-ME Day” to introduce ninth- through 12th-grade girls to engineering through the hands-on creation of a robot, on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2002, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the UA campus. There is no cost to participate, and applications will be accepted through Dec. 15.

The girls will create an autonomous robot using such materials as LEGOs with motors, gears, rotary encoders and touch sensors, and will also program their robots to perform specified tasks. They will be introduced to mechanical systems, programming, electronic sensors, teaming activities and the design process.

At least two of the participants will receive a $500 scholarship from the mechanical engineering department at UA.

There is also a parallel program during the same timeframe for parents, teachers or counselors who accompany the students, to introduce them to college life at UA.

UA-ME Day is sponsored by the University’s student sections of the Society of Women Engineers and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, which recently received a Diversity Action Grant from ASME to develop the program.

Applications can be downloaded from the Internet at www.me.ua.edu/swe, or can be requested from Dr. Beth Todd, associate professor of mechanical engineering, at 205/348-1623, or by e-mail to btodd@coe.eng.ua.edu.