Innovation First, Inc. and Autodesk, Inc. Co-Develop New
Curriculum to Promote Robotics Among Students and Educators
VEX Robotics Inventor Curriculum to Help Educators Interested in
Bringing Robotics and Digital Design Education into the Classroom
GREENVILLE, Texas & SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) April 10, 2008 --
In an effort to promote greater interest in science, technology,
engineering and math (STEM) in schools across the globe, Innovation
First, Inc. (IFI), a leader in educational and competitive robotics
products, has teamed up with Autodesk,
Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK), the world leader in 2D and 3D design software
for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and
entertainment markets, to co-develop a new curriculum to be included in
the popular VEX Robotics Design System Classroom Lab Kits. With Autodesk Inventor
software at the heart of the curriculum, it is designed to encourage
students and educators to explore the exciting world of robotics and
bring real-world experience to STEM teaching methods. Autodesk Inventor
software is used by professional robotics engineers throughout the world.
Autodesk and IFI, who have more than 50 years of combined experience in
robotics education programs and competitions, collaborated with
technology experts and teachers to design the VEX Robotics Inventor
Curriculum. It will be incorporated into the VEX Classroom Lab Kits this
spring and will provide a custom solution for robotics education that’s
flexible enough to be applied at multiple grade levels, including
secondary and post-secondary education. The curriculum, designed to
comply with STEM education standards, contains a set of 18 module units,
each containing its own lesson, concept and activity. These units bring
together the value of VEX Robotics designs and Digital
Prototyping, a practice used by manufacturers to optimize and
validate their ideas before actually creating a product, helping to
remove time and costs from the product development process, and get the “right”
product to market faster.
VEX Classroom Lab Kits make it easy for schools to order by combining a
VEX robot kit with all the basic accessories and batteries needed with
the added benefit of a bulk discount. The VEX Robotics Inventor
Curriculum will be included at no additional charge with the purchase of
the Classroom Lab Kits. As an individual item, the semester curriculum
will be available for $199. Autodesk is also excited to include one full
seat of Autodesk Inventor software with the Classroom Lab Four Robot
Bundle Package. Two full Autodesk Inventor software seats will be
included in the Classroom Lab Eight Robot Bundle Package.
“Studies have shown, and teachers have told
us, that they need hands-on activities in the classroom to help students
get engaged in all the important subjects of STEM,”
said Jason Morrella, senior director of education and competition at
Innovation First. “We’re
excited that powerful educational tools like the VEX Robotics Design
System and Autodesk Inventor software can help change the way students
think about the design process and prepare for many of the incredible
opportunities and careers that are waiting for them.”
All VEX Classroom Lab Kits are based on the popular VEX Robotics Design
System, which helps students unlock the power of their imagination by
designing and constructing radio-controlled robotic devices that can
lift, throw, climb, gather and expand the boundaries of experimental
intelligence. The VEX system is currently being used in over 2,000
classrooms and gives young people a fun, new way to learn about STEM
subjects. By working together to create robots that perform exciting
challenges, students also gain valuable problem-solving and
team-building skills. The customized Classroom Lab packages were
developed using feedback from teachers, schools and districts throughout
the country that have integrated hands-on robotics programs into their
classrooms.
“We are pleased to extend our current
partnership with Innovation First with this exclusively co-developed
project-based curriculum to motivate and inspire students and educators
to explore the world of STEM through robotics and digital design,”
said Paul Mailhot, senior director of worldwide education programs for
Autodesk. “We believe that robotics is a
highly engaging and effective way for students of all ages to learn the
principles and practical application of engineering, science,
technology, and mathematics, and to prepare them for future academic and
career opportunities and success.”
For more information about Autodesk Inventor CAD and the VEX Classroom
Lab Kits, please visit www.vexlabs.com/vex-education.shtml.
About Innovation First, Inc.
Innovation First, Inc., a privately held corporation, was founded on the
belief that innovation very early in the design process is necessary to
produce simple and elegant product designs. Innovation First, Inc. began
producing electronics for unmanned mobile ground robots, and is now an
industry leader in the hobby, competition, education and toy markets.
The company’s award-winning VEX Robotics
Design System, VEXplorer, HEXBUG Micro Robotic Creatures, and IFI
Robotics span the education, consumer and business-to-business markets.
Innovation First’s staff are unmatched in
their experience in supporting and running educational and competitive
robotics competitions. Leveraging the company’s
core competency in electrical and mechanical engineering, the
RackSolutions division works closely with all major computer OEMs to
provide custom mounting solutions and industry-wide rack compatibility
for data installations of all sizes. With an advanced in-house metal
fabrication plant, distribution center, and offices located together in
a 13 acre complex in Greenville, Texas, the company is poised to
continue on a rapid growth path. Please visit www.innovationfirst.com
for additional information.
About Autodesk Education
Autodesk is committed to supporting students and educators by providing
powerful 2D and 3D design software, innovative programs and resources
designed to inspire the next generation of professionals to experience
their ideas before they're real. By supporting educators to advance
design education and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)
skills, Autodesk is helping prepare students develop for future academic
and career success. Autodesk supports schools and institutions of higher
learning worldwide through substantial discounts, subscriptions, grant
programs, training, curricula development and community resources. For
more information about Autodesk education programs and solutions, visit http://www.autodesk.com/education.
About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc. is the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the
manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment
markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk
has developed the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art digital
prototyping solutions to help customers experience their ideas before
they're real. Fortune 1000 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to
visualize, simulate and analyze real-world performance early in the
design process to save time and money, enhance quality and foster
innovation. For additional information about Autodesk, visit http://www.autodesk.com.
Autodesk, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, and Inventor are registered
trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other
countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to
their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product
offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and is not
responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in
this document. © 2008 Autodesk, Inc. All
rights reserved.
See the original story at: http://eon.businesswire.com/releases/autodesk/robotics/prweb849944.htm
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