National Robotics Challenge in Marion, April 7-9
The National Robotics Challenge is designed to complement classroom instruction and provide students the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in challenging and fun situations. Each contest is specifically designed to test the students’ skills and knowledge in a particular area of manufacturing, technology, robotics and automation. The event is open to any student in elementary, middle school, high school, or post-secondary school anywhere in the world. Last year over 1300 participants from 9 states competed in the NRC event. Our vision is to become the premier robotics competition for elementary, middle, high and post-secondary school students in the United States.
The History of NRC
The National Robotics Challenge began in 1986 as the Robotics International of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (RI/SME) Robotic Technology and Engineering Challenge (RI/SME-RTEC). It was developed under the guidance and inspiration of Tom Meravi, Associate Professor from Northern Michigan University and the late Dr. James Hannemann, co-chairman of the event.
RI/SME-RTEC moved to Marion, Ohio in 2004 under the guidance of Ed Goodwin, Ritch Ramey and Tad Douce. In 2005 the contest was renamed the National Robotics Challenge. From this humble beginning, with two work cells and two pick and place competitions, the 2015 competition offers 15 exciting contest categories. For the 2016 competition we have contests such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Rescue Robot, Robot Maze and exhibits from Honda of America, MTD, Sparkfun, Lego and IstOhio.
The National Robotics Challenge is designed to provide students of all ages and levels of study the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of manufacturing processes, controls, robotics and other technologies through competitive engineering contests. Students are judged on their application of technology principles, engineering concepts and their ability to solve real-world problems through a team approach.
This year’s sponsors include: Corporate Contest Sponsor HONDA; Sustaining Partners MTD, IST Ohio and Sparkfun Electronics and Friends of the NRC—Tri-Rivers RAMTECOhio, Meta Solutions, Ohio Technology and Engineering Educators Association.
MISSION
The mission of the National Robotics Challenge is to provide educational robotics competitions where students can develop the creativity, engineering, problem solving, and leadership skills they will need in the world of tomorrow.
