High Tech Robotfest at Hallmark to see 10 Teams from Tricity Schools vying for honours

Panchkula, February 9, 2015: Robofest 2015 is being organised from February 11 to 13 at Hallmark Public School, Panchkula in collaboration with Lego which is the Education partner, Robotgenius the training partner & Techtronics India Pvt.Ltd which is the Product Partner of the three day Robotics extravaganza. It is noteworthy that what students learn under STEM subjects- Science, technology, Engineering & Mathematics can be integrated very well in autonomous robotics, Hallmark, as per their vision statement –‘Each Endeavouring, All Achieving’, has decided to extend this opportunity to learn this academic skills based tech-sport to other students of various eminent schools as well.   This was announced at a media meet by senior officials of Techtronics India Pvt Ltd which is also Lego’s India partner & school officials.

Jivtesh Garg, Director, Hallmark Public School said, “There are no registration charges & teams will be given Lego Mindstorms Robotics Kits & training to design, build & program Robots for the challenge – ‘Pathfinders’, free of cost. Ten teams from the leading schools of Panchkula are participating & the selection was done on first come first serve basis. Each team comprises of three students within the age group of 9-16 years & a mentor can accompany each team.”

Robofest 2015 will kick off at the Hallmark School campus on Feb 11 with instructor lead training on Lego Mindstorm Robotics Kits. Terms like – ‘Robot’, ‘Robotics’ & ‘Artificial Intelligence’ will be explained. The teams will construct the robot – ‘Edu Bot’ & next would be introduction of NXT-G software. 

Rajesh Arora, Vice President, Techtronics India, “Aspects like ‘Move Block’, `Move forward’ with increased speed and ‘Move backward with decreased speed’, ‘move around a box’ will ensue as part of the preparations. Then would come introduction of Touch Sensor and Ultrasonic sensor followed by practical tasks. The Robots built will be dismantled for the finale –‘Pathfinders’ and under this teams will rebuild the Robot and complete tasks assigned over two rounds after-which the winners will be declared.”

It was announced that after the Pathfinder Challenge, trophies & certificates of merit will be awarded individually to all the winners of the fest, first & second runner ups. Participation certificates will be awarded to all teams. Said Mrs. Kavita Wadhwa, Principal, Hallmark Public School, “Robotics and STEM-skills are future of education and all students must be exposed to this opportunity. As the Hallmark team believes in sharing and growing together, we are organizing the Robofest. Robofest is an effort to spawn interest of Robotics in the minds of young students. Moreover, teams will learn many skills too.”

Hannah Palac an Educationist from Poland & a well travelled literary figure, also participated in the media meet. She complimented, Hallmark Public School for, pioneering Robotics, a most modern field, for both its students as well as school kids of tricity.