Educators and Industry Representatives from across the Commonwealth Will Explore Using Robotics for Classroom STEM Instruction
BEDFORD, Mass. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — June 23, 2010 — iRobot Corp. (NASDAQ: IRBT), a leader in developing robotic technology-based solutions, today announced that it will host the STREAM 2010 workshop for robotics education from June 24-25 at its headquarters in Bedford, Mass. In partnership with the University of Massachusetts Lowell, iRobot has designed the workshop to expose educators to the many ways robotics can act as a tool for their instruction related to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
At the workshop, K-12 educators will participate in interactive sessions given by peers currently utilizing robots to successfully teach STEM-related subjects. Representatives from Massachusetts-based technology companies will also discuss the array of career opportunities that exist for students interested in ultimately working in the robotics field or other STEM industries.
“iRobot is proud to be hosting the STREAM workshop for a second year in a row,” said Colin Angle, chairman and chief executive officer of iRobot. “We are excited to support Massachusetts educators as they utilize robotics to improve students’ aptitudes in STEM subjects. The country needs more students graduating with STEM majors to remain economically competitive, and providing our teachers with the tools that they need to teach students STEM subjects and excite them about careers in these fields is a critical step in that process.”
STREAM 2010 is a component of iRobot’s SPARK (Starter Programs for the Advancement of Robotics Knowledge) initiative, which is dedicated to fostering elementary, middle, high school and college students’ interest in STEM subjects. iRobot is committed to helping teachers as they work to ensure that America’s future is strongly rooted in math and science.
“Our 21st century economic competitiveness depends, in no small measure, on student achievement in emerging STEM fields,” said Congressman John Tierney (D-MA). “I commend iRobot for providing local educators with an opportunity to learn firsthand from leading firms about exciting advances in science and technology, as well as a forum to exchange ideas with colleagues about how to spark the next generation of STEM leaders through the incorporation of STEM principles in their classrooms.”
STREAM 2010 is comprised of two, full-day sessions. More than 40 teachers from local school districts across Massachusetts are scheduled to attend the workshop. Confirmed speakers for STREAM 2010 include:
• Barbara Bratzel and Bill Church, Shady Hill School
• Chris Beaton, Ashland High School
• Diana Coluntino and Adam Norton, The Revolving Museum
• Don Rhine, Tyngsborough High School
• Steve Cogger, Doherty Middle School
• Benge Ambrogi, Kiva Systems, Inc.
• Joe McCormick, Malden Catholic High School
• Joe Jones, Harvest Automation
• Ted Acworth, Artaic
• Elaine Mistretta, Haverhill High School
• Holly Yanco, University of Massachusetts Lowell
• Kristen Stubbs, iRobot Corp.
Additional sponsors of the STREAM 2010 workshop are the Commonwealth Alliance for Information Technology Education (CAITE), SIM Boston, FootBridge and the Mass Technology Leadership Council.
To learn more about the agenda for STREAM 2010, please visit: http://stream.cs.uml.edu/. For more information about iRobot SPARK, see http://spark.irobot.com/.
About iRobot Corp.
iRobot designs and builds robots that make a difference. The company’s home robots help people find smarter ways to clean, and its government and industrial robots help protect those in harm’s way. iRobot’s consumer and military robots feature iRobot Aware® robot intelligence systems, proprietary technology incorporating advanced concepts in navigation, mobility, manipulation and artificial intelligence. For more information about iRobot, please visit www.irobot.com.
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