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Signature LTU Robotics Competition Continues to Grow

Robofest® is Lawrence Technological University’s worldwide robotics program for students in 4th through 12th grade. Student teams design, construct, and program their autonomous robots to compete for trophies in a variety of competitions. Robofest’s mission is to generate excitement and interest among young people in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM), AI, and computer science; to develop essential skills such as teamwork, creative thinking, communication, and problem-solving; and to prepare them to excel in higher education and technological careers.

Small student teams can design, construct, and program the robots using any robotics kit and programming language. There are eight engaging competition categories, some with fixed rules and unknown factors, and others in which students have complete freedom to show off any creative robotic R&D (research and development) project.

Founded in 1999 by LTU Professor CJ Chung, Ph.D., Robofest® has hosted over 36,800 students from 19 US states and 35 countries. The Robofest® World Championship events are hosted on LTU’s campus each May.

And it continues to grow! During the 2023–2024 academic year, 2,460 students participated in Robofest® events across 855 teams from 21 countries and 8 U.S. states. Notably, five Robofest® participants joined LTU as college students in the fall 2024 semester, with three more expected to enroll in the spring 2025 semester.

To further accelerate this growth while maintaining the program’s high standards, the following leadership changes became effective on January 6, 2025:

  • Chris Cartwright, Ph.D., associate professor, has been appointed executive director, a newly created position.
  • Elmer Santos, adjunct professor, will now serve as technical director.
  • Shannan Palonis, a full-time staff member, has been named assistant director.
  • CJ Chung, Ph.D., remains chair of the Robofest® Executive Council and chair of the Robofest® Advisory Board while concentrating on his groundbreaking research in artificial intelligence.

 

New Leadership:
Christopher Cartwright
Shannan Palonis
Elmer Santos
Chan-Jin (CJ) Chung

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Use Your Cell Phone as a Document Camera in Zoom

  • What you will need to have and do
  • Download the mobile Zoom app (either App Store or Google Play)
  • Have your phone plugged in
  • Set up video stand phone holder

From Computer

Log in and start your Zoom session with participants

From Phone

  • Start the Zoom session on your phone app (suggest setting your phone to “Do not disturb” since your phone screen will be seen in Zoom)
  • Type in the Meeting ID and Join
  • Do not use phone audio option to avoid feedback
  • Select “share content” and “screen” to share your cell phone’s screen in your Zoom session
  • Select “start broadcast” from Zoom app. The home screen of your cell phone is now being shared with your participants.

To use your cell phone as a makeshift document camera

  • Open (swipe to switch apps) and select the camera app on your phone
  • Start in photo mode and aim the camera at whatever materials you would like to share
  • This is where you will have to position what you want to share to get the best view – but you will see ‘how you are doing’ in the main Zoom session.