Westford Networks for Education and Technology Partnership 

This project will fund a group of students participating in BotFest, a freeform robot design fair at UMass Lowell this winter. The students will be challenged to design an autonomous robot to thrill and amaze the judges. The WestNet Partnership will be providing the monies for the raw materials..

This project will fund students in the design, engineering and actual implementation of hydraulic robotic arms to compete in teams in a game of robotic battle ball. Students will incorporate design processes during the construction phase of the arm.

This project will fund investigation of a rock or mineral through the eyes of an ant. Using a Proscope handheld USB digital microscope to provide 50X magnification the students will be able to make detailed observations of their sample. After making their observations each student will write a descriptive ant adventure story incorporating the properties and characteristics of their given sample. Additionally, the students may use digital illustration backgrounds in their story presentation.