Launch: Robotics
For over 25 years, our summer programs have been enthusiastically attended by hundreds of young people. WPI is pleased to offer an academic experience for students entering their freshman or sophomore year in high school.
WPI Launch is a learning and research opportunity for students entering freshman and sophomore years of high school. You'll spend your days working with faculty focusing on current problems and challenges in the fields of biology, chemistry/biochemistry, interactive media and game development, or robotics. At Launch you will attend workshops and perform lab work in your chosen field of study. With faculty, current WPI students, and classmates, you will use state-of-the-art experimental, analytical, and computer technology to complete projects and assemble your findings. Program hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Launch staff and other WPI community members will be available each day at 8 a.m. for early arrival and will provide late-afternoon supervised activities until 5 pm.; lunch will be included everyday. At the start of the program, a one-hour orientation program will welcome participants and parents (Monday, 8 am.) and a closing luncheon ceremony will be held on Friday. We think you'll find this summer enrichment experience challenging, creative, and lots of fun!
LAUNCH is a day program and operates between the hours of 9am and 4pm. Lunch is provided in Morgan Dining Hall on campus.
Program dates: August 8-12
Cost: $495
Meet some of our outstanding LAUNCH faculty:
Robotics: Ken Stafford
Director, WPI Robotics Resource Center
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Mechanical/Robotics Engineering
Team Leader, FIRST Robotics Team #190
Ken came to Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester MA in 1994 as the department head of Aerospace Studies/Commander of the Air Force ROTC program. Shortly after his USAF retirement, he was hired in 1998 as an Engineering Consultant to manage the major WPI student design competition teams including the WPI/Mass Academy of Math and Science FIRST robotics team (#190). Under his leadership, mentorship of this team has grown to become one of the most popular student activities at WPI. Since his arrival, the team has been rewarded with more than 60 local, Regional, and International awards and trophies—culminating in the 2007 World Championship.
With a BS in Mechanical Engineering and MS in Aeronautical Engineering, he is currently assigned as Director of the new Robotics Resource Center. He is a key member of the interdisciplinary team that developed the Robotics Engineering curriculum and established WPI’s new RBE bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. He teaches both high school (on-campus summer courses) as well as undergraduate robotics courses and is a sought-after academic advisor to undergraduate and graduate robotic projects.
Learn more about the Launch program, or continue to the registration section to register to be a part of the program.
A Typical Day at Launch:
8:00-9:00 a.m. Early Arrival (Alden Hall) 9:00-12:20 p.m. Academic Programs 12:30-1:30 p.m. Lunch (Morgan Dining Hall) 1:30-4:00 p.m. Academic Programs 4:00-5:00 p.m. Pick Up (Bartlett Center)
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Last modified: July 29, 2011 16:54:02