Robotics comes to life at Claremore's Build-A-Bot summer camp

Rogers State University is turning summer break into a hands-on robotics experience for high school students during its first-ever “Build-A-Bot” summer camp.

The three-day program, hosted on campus, gives teens the opportunity to explore robotics by designing, coding and assembling machines alongside RSU technology students and faculty.

A Camp Designed for Future Innovators

The camp invites high school students to build their own functioning robots with guidance from college mentors. The project-based format is intended to give participants early exposure to STEM fields in a college setting.

Students are split into teams and spend the week assembling robot parts, programming software and preparing their bots for a competitive challenge.

Real-World Skills Through Competition

The camp’s final challenge this year features a simulated storm drain course, designed to test each robot’s ability to navigate obstacles and complete a series of tasks. Students must collaborate on strategy, adjust designs and troubleshoot their robots in real time.

RSU professor of technology Curt Sparling says this approach helps students realize that success in technical fields is achievable with the right support.

“The degrees that we have here in technology can be difficult, can be scary,” Sparling said. “What we're doing is we're showing them, students similar in age, that they too can do this and be successful at it.”

Looking Ahead

Camp organizers say they’re already planning to bring the “Build A Bot” experience back next summer, with hopes to expand participation and offer new technical challenges.

Keep an eye out for updates or how to register for next year. More information can be found at www.rsu.edu/visit.