- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

��Vlog��ý Little Rock wins Design Award in robotics tournament

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 14:20:05 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock robotics team won the Design Award in the VEXU Robotics Competition held Dec. 7 at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.�� Vlog��ý Little Rock robotics team members include Gavin Zintel, Alex Alvarez, Khristina Huff, Jerric Jefferson, William Morrison, and Kevin Davidson. In the competition, teams are tasked with designing and building a robot to play against other teams in a game-based engineering challenge. This year’s game is called The Design Award is granted to the team with the most effective and efficient robot design. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s team, called “Just a Prototype,” began competing in 2015. At the time, it was the state’s only university-level robotics team. Arkansas Tech University now has the second. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock also competed against teams from Mississippi, Tennessee, and Mexico. “Arkansas students are competing on robotics teams in high school, so they want to compete at the college level,” said Sandra Leiterman, math specialist in the STEM Education Center and advisor of the robotics team. “They are pushing colleges to have robotics teams.” “Just a Prototype” will compete next Feb. 22, 2020, in Houston.

Students travel far and wide to learn new robotics skills at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 13:30:57 +0000

Cody Gay, a soon-to-be seventh grader from Red Cross, Georgia, was determined to learn more about robotic sensors this summer to improve his skills.�� After not finding any summer camps near his home, Gay’s father searched online and found the VEX IQ Advanced Robotics Camp at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, which focuses on advanced building and programming strategies and the use of sensors. “I liked that I learned how to program sensors,” Gay said. “That’s what I came here to do and for the experience.” As part of their summer vacation, the Gay family camped in Burns Park in North Little Rock, giving Cody, now entering his fourth year of competitions, the chance to advance his understanding of robotics. It’s a move that seems to be paying off as Gay’s team, “Technobros,” took first place in the camp’s competition on July 12. “I’m excited and proud of my team for winning. Robotics is different, and you can make a good career out of it,” Gay said. “I’m thinking about going into engineering or something that involves STEM.” Sandra Leiterman, math specialist in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, said the robotics summer camp program, now in its third year, is teaching students the skills they need to enter STEM careers that are in high demand. Last year, an estimated 2.4 million STEM jobs went unfulfilled, according to the “This camp went quite well. We are really impressed with how well the students focused on sensors,” Leiterman said. “Robotics automation and computer programing is the wave of the future. These kids are primed to learn so many transferable skills – hard work, teamwork, and communication – that they will use in their future careers.”

Teams of students in grades 3-8 prepare their robots to compete in the filed challenge in the VEX IQ Advanced Robotics Camp. Photo by Ben Krain.

A third of the camp’s students traveled more than two hours from the Lakeside School District in Lake Village. Jennifer Armstrong, a gifted and talented teacher, and Christine Davenport, a computer technology teacher, brought 12 fourth-through-eighth-grade students from the school district’s robotics program to learn some new skills at the camp. “Our robotics program has about 35 students, and each team member will take back what they learn to teach to our program’s eight competitive teams,” Armstrong said. “The world is heading toward STEM careers,” Davenport added. “Having this background will be immensely important to them in the future. So many careers will require coding skills.” Jaiden Rutan, a rising eighth-grader on a team called “Robonados,” said he was looking forward to putting his new skills to work in the upcoming school year. “I like how we are able to get used to the game before the competition began,” he said. “I learned how to use new sensors in my robots, which will be great in upcoming competitions.” Jimmy Skaletski, a rising ninth-grader, traveled from Germany to attend the camp.�� “My dad is related to one of the robotics teachers, and I wanted to learn how to build robots using a new program,” Skaletski said. “In my school, we have an extracurricular robotic program, but it’s different than VEX IQ. I enjoyed learning new programming skills, and driving the robots is fun.” ��

��Vlog��ý Little Rock hosts summer camps

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 13:58:57 +0000

Looking for an engaging summer program to keep a motivated student academically challenged, or interested in having the student explore a new interest?�� The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is hosting a variety of summer camps in musical theatre, writing, engineering, computer coding, robotics, geology, transportation, swimming, and more. Young Writers Camp Dates: June 11-15, 8 a.m. to noon Grades: 3-6 Cost: $125 Contact: Pam Maisen, 501-951-6574 Emerging Writers Institute Dates: June 25-29, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Grades: 6-8 Dates: June 25-29, 1:30 to 5 p.m. Grades: 9-12 Cost: $125 Contact: Greg Graham, gxgraham@ualr.edu MT Stage: The Hamilton Experience Dates: June 25-29 with Student Showcase at 2 p.m. June 29 Grades: 7-9 Cost: Free Contact: 501-569-3410 or giftedcenter@ualr.edu��

“MT Stage: The Hamilton Experience”

Summer Laureate University for Youth (SLUFY) Dates: July 9-20, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Grades: K-8 Cost: $300 Contact: 501-569-3410 or giftedcenter@ualr.edu AP (Advanced Placement) PREP Boot Camp Dates: July 23-27, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Grades: Arkansas high school students enrolled in advanced placement courses in biology, calculus, chemistry, English, English literature, and statistics for fall 2018 Cost: Free

Each VEX Robotics camp costs $175 and includes a T-shirt, snacks, and robotics competition on the final day of camp. Contact Sandra Leiterman at saleiterman@ualr.edu for more information. VEX IQ for beginners Dates: Session 1: July 9-13, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dates: Session 2: July 16-20, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Grades: 3-6 Girl Powered VEX EDR Dates: July 9-13, 1 to 4 p.m. Grades: Girls 6-12 VEX EDR Dates: July 16-20, 1 to 4 p.m. Grades 6-12 VEX IQ – Advanced session Dates: Session 1: July 23-27, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dates: Session 2: July 23-27, 1 to 4 p.m. Grades: 3-6

Neva Dagtas (middle) of Little Rock celebrates as her robot, “Walle Jr.,” wins the robotics camp competition for fifth and sixth graders in June 2017.

George W. Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology free residential summer camps

For the following camps, contact Vernard Henley, assistant dean of the College of Engineering and Information Technology, at 501-569-8203 or vwhenley@ualr.edu for more information. High School Research Program Dates: July 9-28 Grades: 8-11 Applications due April 20 Engineering Scholars Program Dates: Session 1: June 17-23 Dates: Session 2: June 24-30 Grades: 8-11 Applications due April 20 EIT Middle School Summer Science Camp Dates: Session 1: July 8-13 Dates: Session 2: July 15-20 Grades: 5-7 Applications due April 30 Geology Camp Dates: June 10-15 Grades: 8-11 Applications due April 20 Girls Coding Camp Dates: July 22-27 Grades: 7-8 Applications due April 20

Trojan Athletics summer camp

Contact: Amy Burgess, amburgess1@ualr.edu Session I: June 4-7, June 11-14, Ages 4-12, $75 for eight lessons Session 2: June 18-21, June 25-28, Ages 4-12, $75 for eight lessons Session 3: July 9-12, July 16-19, Ages 4-12, $75 for eight lessons Session 4: July 23-26, July 30 – Aug. 2, Ages 4-12, $75 for eight lessons Session times of 4:30-5 p.m., 5 p.m.-5:30 p.m., 5:30-6 p.m., and 6-6:30 p.m. are available. Contact: Logan Dahms, lmdahms@ualr.edu Dates: June 11-14, June 25-28 Ages 5-8, Mini Camp, $120, and Ages 9-17, Regular Camp, $220 Contact: Steve Wiedower, slwiedower@ualr.edu, Robert Dallimore, rjdallimore@ualr.edu, Team Camp 1: June 21-22, $180 per day Team Camp 2: Aug. 1-3, $180 per day Advanced Skills Camp: June 23-24, Grades 9-12, $100 Mini Camp: June 18-20, Grades 1-4, $75 Individual Camp: June 18-20, Grades 5-12, $100 Contact: Van Compton, 501-607-2056 Hitter/Setter Camp: July 9-10, Grades 8-12, $50 Serve/Serve Receive Camp: July 1-12, Grades 8-12, $50 Defensive Specialist Camp: July 13, Grades 8-12, $35 Individual Camp: July 16-19, Grades 4-12, $150 Senior High Team Camp: July 23-24, $50 Junior High Team Camp: July 25-26, $50 Contact: Kyle Giusti, kjgiusti@ualr.edu Summer Kids Skills Camp: June 18-20, Grades 1-7, $150 Summer Showcase: July 19, Grades 9-12 and junior college athletes, $150

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to host first ever VEX Robotics Tournament

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 14:50:17 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will host its first VEX Robotics Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 2, at the basketball courts in the Donaghey Student Center.�� VEX IQ is a snap-together robotics system designed from the ground up to provide educational opportunities to future engineers of all skill levels. The VEX IQ program, which is for elementary school students, is the predecessor for robotics competitions at the middle school/high school (VEX EDR) and university (VEX U) levels. More than 50 teams made up of over 300 team members from the third grade to the university level, including ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s own Just a Prototype team, are expected to compete. The event is free and open to the public. The best time for the public to view the competition is between 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help with registration, inspection, and field setup as well as serve as judges and referees. Those interested in volunteering may. Sandra Leiterman, math specialist in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Educational Center, said the event is an invitational tournament for new teams and coaches that have never competed before. It is part of the university’s effort to get educators and students interested in robotics. Over the summer, the STEM Center held two professional development events for educators interested in starting robotics teams at their schools. Leiterman is the coach of the only VEX U robotics team in Arkansas. While most robotics teams are staffed by engineering students, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s squad, dubbed Just a Prototype, is made up of future math and science teachers who will one day start school robotics teams. For more information, contact Leiterman at 920-227-8576 or saleiterman@ualr.edu. In the upper right photo, the Just a Prototype robotics team members include: Back row (L-R) Jamie Burrows, Rachel Smith, Shala Nail, and Donetha Groover. Front row (L-R) David Shurley, FLN the robot, and Faculty Advisor Sandra Leiterman.��

Best Robotics Day coming to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Nov. 4

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 20:08:36 +0000

Hundreds of students — and their robots — from throughout Arkansas will put on a show this weekend at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.�� The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology will host this year’s , which is expected to involve 300 student competitors from 20 Arkansas middle school and high school teams and one from Alabama. Hundreds more typically attend, with squads often bringing their own mascots, cheerleaders, and pep bands. The event is free and open to the public. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, in the Jack Stephens Center on the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus. An opening ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. with robotics matches starting at 9:15 a.m. The semifinal round commences at 1 p.m., followed by the finals at 2:15 p.m. and the awards presentation at 3:15 p.m. BEST, which stands for Boosting Engineering Science and Technology, is a national six-week competition designed to get middle and high school students interested in engineering careers. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is the host for the Little Rock hub competitions, and the university and other sponsors provide the required robotic design kits to teams free of charge. Mentors from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock also help teams during the process, and the university will furnish judges for the competition. Judges give scores in four categories: robot performance; engineering notebook; spirit and sportsmanship; and exhibit and team interview. The top seven finishers will advance to the regional competition held Dec. 1-2 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Participating schools include Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts; Athens Bible School; Central High School; Columbia Christian High School; Central/Henderson Middle School; Conway High School; eStem High School; Forest Heights STEM Academy; Gosnell High School; Hillcrest New Tech High School; Hope High School; Kirby High School; Lake Hamilton Junior High School; LISA Academy West; Mount St. Mary’s Academy; Nashville High School; Parkview High School; Poyen High School; Sylvan Hills Middle School; Stuttgart High School; and Wynne High School.

Arkansas students learn robotics skills

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 13:30:30 +0000

A new summer camp at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock introduced more than 30 Arkansas students to the exciting world of robotics competitions.�� The camp, held July 31 to Aug. 4, taught students how to build and program robots as well as how to compete in VEX IQ robotics competitions. VEX IQ is a snap-together robotics system designed from the ground up to provide educational opportunities to future engineers of all skill levels. The VEX IQ program, which is for elementary school students, is the predecessor for robotics competitions at the middle school/high school (VEX EDR) and university (VEX U) levels. Sandra Leiterman, math specialist in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Educational Center, led the camp. She is the coach of the only VEX U robotics team in Arkansas as well as the coach of two teams at Mills High School. Leiterman hopes that by introducing students to robotics before junior high school, she will encourage them to pursue STEM-related careers. She also hopes the summer camp will lead to more schools starting robotics teams. “We thought it would be a great way to introduce robotics to elementary students who don’t have robotics teams at their schools, and it promotes an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education,” Leiterman said. “We hope these students will go back to their teachers and ask them to start robotics teams in their schools.” Neva Dagtas of Little Rock was excited to attend the camp to learn engineering and robotics skills. “I like building robots, and I love the way you can control the robots and make it do things autonomously,” Dagtas said. Dagtas and her team partner, Natalie Tyler, a sixth-grader from Maumelle, said it took a lot of ingenuity and online research to get their robot, which they named Walle Jr., to work. “We were missing so many parts,” Tyler said. “The chips were different. When we tried to make the controller work, it didn’t.” Their efforts paid off, as Dagtas and Tyler won the camp’s robotics competition for fifth- and sixth-graders. “After all the struggles you’ve been through, it’s a really happy moment in your life,” Dagtas said. Clare Quaid, a Mills High School senior who is a member of an all-girls robotics team coached by Leiterman, was one of 10 high school and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock college students who volunteered to introduce the students to the world of robotics. “Being on a robotics team is very empowering,” said Quaid, who added that she is a distant cousin of actor Dennis Quaid. “At first, I didn’t want to go into a STEM field, but now I see how much girls are needed in STEM fields. Robotics empowered me to make a change.” Participants included:

��Zamari Ball of North Little Rock, fourth-grader at North Little Rock Catholic
��Granger Colclasure of Little Rock, third-grader at Episcopal Collegiate
��Mia Colclasure of Little Rock, fifth-grader at Episcopal Collegiate
��Leonardo Cruz of Little Rock, fourth-grader at Forest Park Elementary
��Tristen Cunningham of Little Rock, fifth-grader at Episcopal Collegiate
��Neva Dagtas of Little Rock, sixth-grader at Huda Academy
��Kaan Dagtas of Little Rock, fourth-grader at Huda Academy
��Eric Carmona Garcia of Little Rock, third-grader at Baseline Academy
��Tyler Goodman of Jacksonville, sixth-grader at Bayou Meto Elementary
��Naia Green of Little Rock, fifth-grader at Christ Lutheran School
��DeAndre James of Little Rock, sixth-grader at Meadowcliff Elementary
��Amelia Johnson of Bryant, fifth-grader at Springhill Elementary
��Kenyon Key of North Little Rock, fourth-grader at Abundant Life School
��Connor Lloyd of Little Rock, sixth-grader at Lisa Academy
��Christian Mack of Lake Hamilton, fifth-grader at Lake Hamilton Elementary
��Fernanda Martinez of North Little Rock, fifth-grader at Lisa Academy North
��Vania Martinez of North Little Rock, third-grader at Lisa Academy North
��Chloe Mitchell of North Little Rock, third-grader at Arkansas School for the Blind
��Mason Mitchell of North Little Rock, sixth-grader at Lakewood Elementary
��Alex Moore of Mabelvale, fifth-grader at Davis Elementary
��Rafeal Morgan of Little Rock, fourth-grader at Forest Heights STEM Academy
��Nam Nguyen of Little Rock, fourth-grader at Forest Park Elementary
��Roger Quad of Bigelow, sixth-grader at Anne Watson
��Ryker Quaid of Bigelow, fourth-grader at Anne Watson
��Nikhil Shanmugam of Little Rock, third-grader at Williams Magnet
��Dishant Sharma of Little Rock, sixth-grader at Baker Elementary
��Shriish Sathish of Little Rock, third-grader at Chenal Elementary
��Davontae Taylor of Lake Hamilton, fourth-grader at Lake Hamilton Elementary
��Natalie Tyler of Maumelle, sixth-grader at Pine Forest Elementary
��Matthew Wiebelhaus-Brahm of Benton, fourth-grader at Springhill Elementary
��Samuel Wiebelhaus-Brahm of Benton, third-grader at Springhill
��Bradyn Wilkerson of Bigelow, East End Elementary
�� Sheriff Wolfe of Little Rock, third-grader at Pulaski Heights Elementary

In the upper right photo,��Neva Dagtas (middle) of Little Rock celebrates as her robot, “Walle Jr.,” wins the robotics camp competition for fifth and sixth graders. Photo by Lonnie Timmons III/��Vlog��ý Little Rock Communications.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to host robotics camp for elementary students, teachers

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 23 May 2017 13:10:52 +0000

During a summer camp for elementary students, a University of Arkansas at Little Rock robotics coach will offer fellow educators the chance to learn how to start robotics teams at their schools.�� Sandra Leiterman, math specialist in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Educational Center, will lead a VEX IQ Robotics summer camp for students entering third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grades. The camp will be held from 8 a.m. to noon July 31 to Aug. 4 in the Engineering Technology and Science (ETAS) building on the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus. The cost is $125. A limited number of scholarships are available for students with a financial need. Students will learn hardware design, programming, teamwork, problem solving, and leadership skills. “We thought it would be a great way to introduce robotics to elementary students who don’t have robotics teams at their schools, and it promotes an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education,” Leiterman said. “We hope these students will go back to their teachers and ask them to start robotics teams in their schools.” In addition to students eager to learn about robotics, educators may attend the summer camp for free to learn how they can create a robotics team at their own schools. “One of the biggest hang ups of teachers starting robotics programs is that they think they are in over their head or under qualified,” Leiterman said. “This camp can show teachers how easy it is. There are also grants available. I can show teachers how to get a grant, so they can basically come and see how to get a robotics team started for very little cost.” VEX IQ is a snap-together robotics system designed from the ground up to provide educational opportunities to future engineers of all skill levels. The VEX IQ program, which is for elementary school students, is the predecessor for robotics competitions at the middle school/high school (VEX EDR) and university (VEX U) levels. Leiterman is the coach of the only VEX U robotics team in Arkansas. While most robotics teams are staffed by engineering students, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s squad, dubbed “Just a Prototype,” ��is made up of future math and science teachers who will one day start school robotics teams. She also coaches two robotics teams at Mills High. One of the teams is an all-girls team, the Uncut Diamonds, which has made four national championship appearances. Members of all three of Leiterman’s robotics teams will work at the camp. The funds raised will be used to purchase parts to build robots and to attend competitions. Applications can be found online at. For more information, contact Leiterman at saleiterman@ualr.edu or 920.227.8576. In the upper right photo, the Just a Prototype robotics team members include: Back row (L-R) Jamie Burrows, Rachel Smith, Shala Nail, and Donetha Groover. Front row (L-R) David Shurley, FLN the robot, and Faculty Advisor Sandra Leiterman.

Future STEM teachers look to inspire students with robotics club

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 15:12:32 +0000

Sandra Leiterman, a math specialist in the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Educational Center, created the first (VEXU) robotics team in the state of Arkansas.�� In VEX robotics, students design and build robots to compete in robotics competitions that change every year. Prior to six years ago, Leiterman had no experience coaching robotics teams. Now, being a robocoach is practically second nature to her as she coaches the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock team and two robotics teams at Mills High School. Last year, she also helped start robotics teams at two Little Rock elementary schools, Chicot and Jefferson. “When I first started teaching, I was asked to start a robotics team when I had no experience,” Leiterman said. “Now I know a lot of high school robotics teams want to continue onto college competitions. As future teachers, there is a huge push for these students to provide STEM activities for their future students.” While most robotics teams are staffed by engineering students, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s squad, who dubbed themselves “Just a Prototype,” is made up of future math and science teachers looking to inspire their future students. “There is such a demand right now for STEM in schools,” said Donetha Groover, a robotics team member and biology major. “We are all going to be teachers. We want to experience robotics and take it into the classroom ourselves.” In addition to being on the robotics team, the students also give back by volunteering with local high school robotics programs and serving as judges at their competitions. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock team members include Groover, senior biology major from Lodi, California; Jamie Burrows, junior math major from Mabelvale, Arkansas; Robert Presswood, sophomore physics and math major from Lincoln, Illinois; Rachel Smith, senior math major from Lockesburg, Arkansas; Michael McKinnie, senior biology major from Cabot, Arkansas; Shala Nail, senior math major from Evening Shade, Arkansas; and David Shurley, physics major. The REC Foundation awarded the team a materials grant that team members used to build their robot named FLN, which is pronounced Flynn and stands for Finished Last Night. The humorous name refers to a highly stressful week when the team completely redesigned its robot and made last-minute adjustments the night before the competition. “Four of us had judged a high school robotics competition in Monticello the weekend before our competition,” Burrows said. “We were really impressed by Bryant High School’s design and used an adaptation for our robot. That left us about four days to rebuild the robot before we left for the competition, and we had a few sleepless nights.” Each year, VEX creates a unique game teams play during the robotics competitions. This year, they used their robots to play the game “Starstruck” on a 12-foot by 12-foot field. The object was to attain a higher score than the opposing team by placing stars and cubes in the scoring zones and hanging a robot on the hanging bar. “FLN is unique because every other robot had a claw, yet FLN’s design is to collect the star in the basket and then shoot the star across the border,” Smith said. After their first competition in Muskogee, Oklahoma, Just a Prototype members were invited to participate in the TEX VEXU tournament in Houston against teams from Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas in February. Just a Prototype received the special Judges Award recognition. “The judges loved the fact that the team is made up of future math and science teachers that joined the team in order to gain experience so they may one day start their own teams when they have teaching jobs,” Leiterman said. For now, the team members are looking forward to April 21, when VEX will announce the new robotic game competition for the 2017-18 season. The students plan to create a second robotics team and are hoping to host a VEXU competition at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in the fall. In the upper right photo, the “Just a Prototype” robotics team members include: Back row (L-R) Jamie Burrows, Rachel Smith, Shala Nail, and Donetha Groover. Front row (L-R) David Shurley , FLN the robot, and Faculty Advisor Sandra Leiterman. Photo by Lonnie Timmon III/��Vlog��ý Little Rock Communications.��

��Vlog��ý Little Rock teacher coaches girls robotics team in online competition

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 21:27:32 +0000

An all-girls high school robotics team coached by a University of Arkansas at Little Rock teacher hopes to get enough votes to earn a trip to the world robotics finals in Louisville, Kentucky.�� Sandra Leiterman, a math specialist in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Educational Center, coaches two robotics teams at Mills High School. In 2016, she also helped start robotics teams at two Little Rock elementary schools, Chicot and Jefferson. While she was a sixth-grade math teacher at Fuller Middle School, Leiterman started a robotics team in 2011, even though she had no previous robotics experience. “We needed to do something to get kids more engaged in school,” Leiterman said. “Our first competition was actually a free competition at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. We were the only middle school team competing against about 15 high school teams. We ended up in the middle of the rankings, so the team’s confidence soared.” After spending a year on the co-ed robotics team, four girls sought permission from their middle school principal to form an all-girls team, and the Uncut Diamonds were born. Team members consist of Mills High School juniors Jordyn Major, Maddy Barth, and Clare Quaid as well as senior Lauren Stewart. The girls have been on the team since junior high and have been competing together for six years.��

The Uncut Diamonds, from left to right, are Maddy Barth, Clare Quaid, Jordyn Major, and Lauren Stewart.

Coaching the girls robotics team has been an inspirational experience for Leiterman, who has watched the girls grow stronger and more confident through the years. “I have seen the transformations with my own team,” she said. “Getting girls involved at a younger age really boosts their confidence. That is my passion. We have to get more girls involved in math and science, and I want to help everyone I can.” Quaid, for example, started off sixth grade wanting to be an artist. She had little interest in science but joined the robotics team because Leiterman was one of her favorite teachers. Now, Quaid loves robotics and plans to major in mechanical engineering, Leiterman said. With one team member, Stewart, graduating in May, the girls hope to make it to the world competition before their six-year-long adventure comes to an end. The girls describe themselves as “four individual girls that came together as a robotics team under the direction of one amazing coach.” They are spreading their inspirational and empowering story through the Online Challenges competition. The winning team has a chance to attend the VEX Robotics World Championship in April. Voting ends at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27. You can vote for the Uncut Diamonds by () and then clicking on the Login/Register tab on the top left side. Once you have logged in or registered, you will be sent a verification email. After activating your account, you can and cast your vote for the Uncut Diamonds. For more information, contact Leiterman at 920.227.8576 or saleiterman@ualr.edu.

Congressional Robotics Caucus features Professor Cang Ye

Shanna Fitzgerald — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 17:06:54 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock researcher was among a select group of robotics innovators who were��featured at a national event — the Congressional Robotics Caucus — in Washington, D.C. Dr. Cang Ye, a professor in the ��Vlog��ýLR Department of Systems Engineering, and student researchers at the university showcased a robotic cane during the caucus that marked the fifth anniversary of the .�� The Co-robotic Cane developed by Ye and his team is intended to make daily travel easier and safer for the visually impaired. The device can locate its position and utilize that information to guide its user to his or her destination. It also can detect objects and help the user move around them. During the Congressional Robotics Caucus — on Thursday, June 9, at the — Ye joined other principal investigators from universities such as Cornell, Johns Hopkins, and MIT. Ye, an fellow, plays a key role in additional projects designed to help people with visual and physical disabilities, including a quadrupedal robotic walker and a wearable robotic object manipulation aid that will help users detect and grasp objects. The National Robotics Initiative, led by the National Science Foundation, is a “multi-agency effort to accelerate the development and use of robots that work beside or cooperatively with people.” Agencies involved include:

Air Force Office of Scientific Research
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Department of Agriculture
Department of Defense
Department of Energy
NASA
National Institutes of Health ��
National Science Foundation

- University News Archive - ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

����Vlog��ý Little Rock wins Design Award in robotics tournament

Students travel far and wide to learn new robotics skills at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

����Vlog��ý Little Rock hosts summer camps

����Vlog��ý Little Rock to host first ever VEX Robotics Tournament

Best Robotics Day coming to ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Nov. 4