Funded by the National Defense Education Program, RoboMasterminds is a new after-school, summer, and internship program for students ages 8-18 and college undergraduates that builds age-appropriate technical skills in robotics, programming, and engineering. Developed jointly by the Army Research Laboratory (ARL), the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) and the Energetics Technology Center, RoboMasterminds includes STEM activities, workshops, and internships.
About RoboMasterminds
The Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Indian Head Division (IHD), in collaboration with local partners, are jointly developing a three-year program that introduces defense-relevant STEM concepts and education to students in two Maryland regions — Northeastern Maryland and Southern Maryland — with large populations of underrepresented and military-dependent students.
RoboMasterminds is designed to attract and retain students into an educational “pipeline” of out-of-school-time experiences. The youngest students participate in an after-school program designed as a “classroom in a box” curriculum and offered through local non-profits already serving underrepresented communities. Using a “train the trainer” approach, ARL and NSWC will teach professionals within partner organizations to successfully deliver the robotics program. Next, the team will develop summer camps where high school juniors and seniors learn to design, build, and program remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROUV) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) that interact with human partners. Students will also provide “near-peer” mentorship to students in the earlier programs.
For Students
Unleash your creativity as you dive into building, programming, and controlling your own robotic creations!
Calling All Elementary and Middle School Students!
Starting in Fall 2023, participate in after-school programs offered by science centers, libraries, and other non-profit youth organizations in your community. Your sessions will be led by high school and college interns and offered at no cost to you or the host organization.
Summer Camp for High School Students
Will you be a rising high school junior or senior in Summer 2024? Learn how to design, build, and program a remotely operated underwater vehicle and an unmanned ground vehicle at RoboMasterminds summer camps. Then, at the end of the summer, meet up with campers from across the state for a capstone Army/Navy robotics competition!
Internships
Summer camp graduates and college students will be recruited for internship positions leading the next generation of robotics learners either in after-school programs or subsequent summer camps. Undergraduate summer internships at ARL or NSWC-IHD are also available. You’ll also get mentoring from robotics scientists and engineers! Please send cover letter/résumé to robomasters@etcmd.com with the subject line “Internship”.
For Educators
Attention Educators!
Participate in developing new curriculum in robotics with the help of Army and Navy subject matter experts. You’ll also have the chance to co-teach during the summer camp sessions and take the curriculum back to your own classroom to use as you wish.
You’ll develop new areas of knowledge, meet scientists and engineers working on the cutting edge of robotics, and get subject matter mentoring that will help you in your classroom. Please send cover letter/résumé to robomasterminds@etcmd.com with the subject line “Resource Teacher”.
For Partners
Are you a non-profit serving your local community? Does your mission include youth education? RoboMasterminds wants to talk with you!
RoboMasterminds after-school program is available for use by community-based organizations.
We will provide the curriculum, some materials, and training/coaching for delivering the curriculum to your learners.
For more information, please contact us at robomasterminds@etcmd.com
Discovery Center at Water's Edge (Harford County)
RoboMasterminds classes follow the school district's schedule and will be canceled if that district cancels classes due to inclement weather
For questions, contact us at: robomasterminds@etcmd.comAddress:
Discovery Center at Water's Edge
4505 Pulaski Hwy Belcamp, MD 21017
Phone: (410) 417-7116
ETC Headquarters (Indian Head, Charles County)
RoboMasterminds classes follow the school district's schedule and will be canceled if that district cancels classes due to inclement weather
For questions, contact us at: robomasterminds@etcmd.comAddress:
4445 Indian Head Hwy
Indian Head MD, 20640
Office Phone: 301-645-6637
Boys and Girls Clubs (Indian Head, Charles County)
RoboMasterminds classes follow the school district's schedule and will be canceled if that district cancels classes due to inclement weather
For questions, contact us at: robomasterminds@etcmd.comAddress:
Discovery Center at Water's Edge
4505 Pulaski Hwy Belcamp, MD 21017
Phone: (410) 417-7116
Boys and Girls Clubs (Edgewood, Harford County)
RoboMasterminds classes follow the school district's schedule and will be canceled if that district cancels classes due to inclement weather
For questions, contact us at: robomasterminds@etcmd.comAddress:
2002 Cedar Dr. Edgewood, MD 21040
Harford County Library
Go to Harford County Library Events Calendar and search “RoboMasterminds” to view and register for available sessions.
RoboMasterminds classes follow the school district's schedule and will be canceled if that district cancels classes due to inclement weather
For questions, contact us at: robomasterminds@etcmd.comHavre de Grace Branch
120 N. Union Ave
Havre de Grace, MD 21078
Phone: 410-939-6700
Aberdeen Branch
21 Franklin Street
Aberdeen, MD 21001
Phone: 410-273-5608
Edgewood Branch
629 Edgewood Road
Edgewood, MD 21040
Phone: 410-612-1600
Honeygo Elementary (Baltimore County)
RoboMasterminds classes follow the school district's schedule and will be canceled if that district cancels classes due to inclement weather
For questions, contact us at: robomasterminds@etcmd.comAddress:
Honeygo Elementary
4816 E Joppa Rd Perry Hall, MD 21128
Phone: (443) 809-8700
High School Students
RoboMasterminds High School Summer Camp 2024
This summer camp opportunity is for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors. During this two-week hands-on program, students will work in small groups of two or three under the guidance of Near-Peer Mentors and Teachers. Relevant topics in physics, engineering, and life skills will be covered. At the end of the workshop, students will compete for the best robot by providing a presentation on their robot design, and participating in a littoral and ground robotic exercise.
Rising Sophomores and Juniors will learn how to design and build a remotely operated underwater vehicle. Upon successful completion of this program, students may be offered a slot next year’s senior summer camp.
Rising Juniors and Seniors with previous programming experience will learn how to design, build, and program an autonomous ground vehicle. This cohort of seniors will have the opportunity to apply for Near Peer Mentor Internships the following summer.
Classes will be hosted at the APG STEM Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD and Energetics Technology Center, Indian Head, MD.
RoboMasterminds Summer Camps are 2-WEEK 4 FULL DAYS. Registrants are required to attend all 8 days of camp.
APG STEM Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD.
Week 1: July 15-18, 2024 9am-4pm
Week 2: July 22-25, 2024 9am-4pm
ETC Indian Head, MD.
Week 1: June 17-20, 2024 9am-4pm
Week 2: June 24-27 2024 9am-4pm
Address: 4445 Indian Head Highway Indian Head, MD
Elementary School Students
RoboMasterminds Elementary School Summer Camp 2024
This summer camp opportunity is for rising 4th and 5th grade students. During this 3-day hands-on program, students will work in teams of two under the guidance of teachers. Students will design, build, and program SumoBots that navigate and battle in a fun competition format with other robot teams. SumoBots are small autonomous robots that use sensors to detect each other. In “battle” they “fight” to push the opponent robot out of a competition ring. Students will learn engineering design, minimum viable product, block coding (test and refine programs), and robotics.
Students are required to attend all 3 days.
Classes will be hosted at the Energetics Technology Center, Indian Head, MD.
ETC Indian Head, MD.
Week 1: June 17-20, 2024 9am-4pm
Week 2: June 24-27 2024 9am-4pm
Address: 4445 Indian Head Highway Indian Head, MD
Internship Opportunities
College students are recruited for internship positions leading the next generation of robotics learners either in after-school programs or in summer camps. Undergraduate summer internships in computer science, robotics, engineering and energetics at the Army Research Laboratory and the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Indian Head are also available.
To apply, please send the following to to robomasterminds@etcmd.com with the subject line “Internship”:
- A cover letter addressing why you want to be an intern
- Your résumé
- Your transcript
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