We are piloting a new program this summer, for youth aged 12 to 16.  A chance to learn about computer architecture, diagnostics, configuration, and assembly.  Each participant will build a working computer from spare parts and take that computer home at the end of the week!
 
Check out the program at the BYOCC website.
Offered in Bangor and Portland.

Well, we've gone and done it!  We've created an Indiegogo campaign to help us raise funds for new robots.  As you probably know we've got a LOT of robots here at Maine Robotics.  When we started we had all LEGO RCX robots.  Then in 2006 and 2007 we were able to replace them with the "new" LEGO NXT robots.

Now here we are in 2014 and we are trying to replace those with the latest EV3 robots.  But we need your help.
Our community expects the best equipment, and while the NXT robots are still working, and do most of what the EV3s can do, it is time to get new ones.  But we need 60 of the new robots.

So We are running an Indiegogo campaign, we've got a couple of grants out there, and we are planning on purchasing some through our normal replacement program (every year we have to replace about 20% of our robots due to old age).

So would you consider helping us out?  Even a few dollars is a great way to show support of the youth here in Maine who use this equipment year round.  Just visit our Indiegogo Campagin and make as small or as large a donation as you can.  Thanks, Maine Robotics.

Dear Maine Robotics community, we were approached to try and find a few tweens that want to be part of a documentary.  And don't worry about the deadline, they are still looking and haven't found their tweens yet.  I just talked with them this morning, so act now if your child fits.  I have met so many tweens over the years that would be great in this documentary, so consider it for your child.
... read on!

MORGAN SPURLOCK IS CASTING TWEENS FOR TV DOC PROJECT 

Do you have a tween that walks to the beat of her own drum… and is often misunderstood by her peers? Is your child incredibly intelligent or creative but just doesn’t fit in with other kids her own age?  Is your tween more interested in math, science or computers than in clothes, sports and the typical school drama? 

If you feel your tween child has an interesting story to tell and would be comfortable sharing it, then we want to hear from you! 

Morgan Spurlock (One Direction: This is Us, Supersize Me) and a popular children’s cable network are currently casting a documentary project about middle school students who feel like they "just don’t fit in.”  We are specifically looking for students in the continental U.S. between the ages of 10-13.  If selected to participate, we would film with your child for approximately three days in February 2014.

This series will take an inside look at the lives of tweens in America.  We are giving a select few kids the unique opportunity to share their stories with the world and to inspire other kids by showing them that they’re not alone as they navigate these exciting but sometimes awkward years. 

To tell us more about your unique child, please visit our website for instructions on making a home video application: www.wpcasting.net.  Or if you have questions, please email us at wpcasting@warrior-poets.com.

We have a great opportunity to raise $5,000 from the Bangor Savings Bank's "Community Matters More" program.  We are one of six non-profits that have been chosen this year from Southern Penobscot County and Maine Robotics is primed to use those funds to bolster our great STEM outreach programs.

What could $5,000 go for?  It would be enough to replace 15 of our laptops that we use in our summer camp program; it could buy about 15 of the new LEGO(r) EV3 Robot kits; it could help Maine Robotics move into bigger offices... the possibilities are great and the cost to participate is nothing.

So please help us get the votes needed to be the Southern Penobscot County winner this year and we'll take home that $5,000!  To vote, just visit the Bangor Savings Bank Community Matters More website and cast your ballot.  Everyone in Maine is eligible to vote, but only once.  Ask your friends and family to help us out!

Voting is all of February!  So start casting your votes on Saturday, Feb. 1st and we'll have the whole month to raise those votes!

The 2013 DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Project Agency) Robotics Challenge.  Each robot would work on some or all of the 8 challenges set for the robots.  These were real-world challenges such as climbing an industrial ladder, turning valves, opening doors, and even driving a car.

The SCHAFT, Inc. robot from Japan won the day with a total of 27 points (out of a possible 32 points).  The SCHAFT, Inc. robot is based off the HRP-2 robot (Human Robotics Project, second generation), similar in evolution to the ASIMO robot.  Click <here> or on the robot image to watch the YouTube video!

Hi Folks,

If you tried to visit our site or email us during the past 3 days you probably noticed that we were experiencing technical difficulties. We spent a couple of hours on the phone and then some more time messing around with our DNS setting, but it appears that everything has been fixed. I am sorry for the inconvenience and if you sent anything to us by email during this time please resend it to us. 

Thanks,
-Ben

2014 Champions Award winners (overall best teams)
1st place
Team: Oh Boy... These Pickles are Natural Disasters
Connors Emerson School in Bar Harbor.
2nd place: 
Team: The Bridgineers 
Farmington
3rd place: 
Team: Just Keep Swimming
Spruce Mountain Middle School, Jay
For a list of all the winners: <click here>

The Pickles will receive an invitation to compete at the April, 2014 FLL World Festival in St. Louis and have been invited for a tour of the US Senate and lunch with Senator Angus King.

Thanks again to Time Warner Cable for their tremendous support of the FIRST LEGO League here in Maine and to our other sponsors, the Robotics Institute of Maine, the University of Maine and the University of Southern Maine.

THIS IS IT!  Come join Maine Robotics and Time Warner Cable as we host the Maine Robotics EXPO at the Augusta Civic Center!
In the Auditorium you can watch the 14th Annual Maine FIRST LEGO League Championship, where 67 teams of elementary and middle school students show off what they have been learning and building all fall!
In the North Wing, you can watch the Central Maine VEX Competition, where 30 teams of high school students compete with their VEX robots.
And there is even more! You can try your hand in the 'Hour of Code' Dojo and learn by actually doing some computer programming!  Or spend some time learning about different robotic and programming opportunities in our Education Room!  Free and open to the public to come and watch and learn.  Opening Ceremonies are at 9:30, then the action begins!