College of San Mateo Offers New "Robot Challenge" Community Education Course

Class Teaches Students of All Ages and Skill Levels to Build and Fight Their Own 12-Pound Combat Robot

(PRWEB) January 16, 2004 --Beginning January 26, 2004, the College of San Mateo will offer a new community education course called "Robot Challenge" to teach people of any age and skill level to build their own 12-pound fighting robots.

But there is a twist...builders will have only 21 hours to build their robot and prepare it for battle.

The class, which runs 11 weeks from January 26 through April 5, 2004, will be held at CSM's Tech Center each Monday night from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

The Tech Center at CSM was previously a world-class aeronautics repair facility, and is still fully equipped with all the production machines and tools the robot builder could only dream of. Equipment available to builders includes milling machines, lathes, welders, grinders, sheet metal and fabrication equipment, and much more.

One student who is signed up for the class says on his application, "I have followed the robot shows like BattleBots and RobotWars, and I have always wanted to build and fight my own robot. I'm very excited to be able to take this class!"

Another registered student comments "I really like the timed-build aspect of this class...it reminds me of TV shows like Junkyard Wars and Monster Garage."

Special emphasis will focus on building combat robots on a tight budget, including scavenging motors and gearboxes, batteries, and radio controls from inexpensive items.

Unlike some robot building classes, this course does not use a "kit" of any kind. The builders will design their own unique robot and gather materials and parts to make it a reality.

There is no prerequisite for this class, and builders of any age may enroll (builders under 16 years of age must attend with an enrolled adult partner).

Class fee is $99, and there is a $50 materials fee for metal, fasteners and expendable supplies including cutting tools and welding gasses and wire.

To register for this class, builders should visit the official class web site at ww.csmrobotics.com before January 23, 2004.
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