Fordham’s RETC: Center for Professional Development will be recognized for its work supporting robotics in the Bronx as part of New York City’s FIRST LEGO League Tournament at Riverbank State Park recreational facility in Manhattan on Jan. 28 and 29. Kathleen P. King, Ed.D., director of RETC, and Albert Robinson, RETC’s technical and curriculum developer and lead robotics professional developer, will accept the awards on behalf of the center.
RETC hosted two “Bots in the Bronx” events in 2005, with more than 700 students showcasing software programs and robots. RETC also has a Robotics Professional Development Training Auxiliary Services for High Schools program implemented at six New York City schools, which aims to introduce robotics as an interdisciplinary project connecting math, science and literacy.
FIRST LEGO is an international program for children ages 9 to 14 (9 to 16 in Europe) that combines a hands-on, interactive robotics program with a sports-like atmosphere. Teams consist of up to 10 players with the focus on team building, problem solving, creativity and analytical thinking. Fordham’s 2005 events were the first-ever LEGO programs in the Bronx.
