Posted to News on 23rd Dec 2014, 14:25
FANUC UK brings robot Christmas magic to the classroom
FANUC UK teamed up with Roger de Clare C of E First School and Nursery in Puckeridge, Hertfordshire, to sprinkle some robot Christmas magic on this years' festive season with year 3 pupils. As part of the company's ongoing commitment to developing the future generation of robotic engineers, the FANUC UK team worked in collaboration with schoolchildren to design and create a Christmas message using the power of robots. The pupils interacted with the robot to co-create a beautiful card and video message; learning the rudimentary skills that provide the building blocks to a future career in robotics.
Headteacher Laura Woods says: "Having a robot in the classroom allows children to develop an understanding that ICT skills can be applied to a variety of different vocations. The fact that robotics is so exciting and inspiring could help to direct schoolchildren down that path in the future."
Chris Sumner, managing director of FANUC UK, adds: "If the UK is to compete with competitor economies on the international stage, in fields as diverse as manufacturing and healthcare, it is vital that it improves its capabilities in robotics; and this starts in the classroom.
"Interaction with robots from an early age is a great way to get kids excited about STEM subjects, and building this awareness and understanding is the first step in developing the robotics engineers of tomorrow."
The International Federation of Robotics predicts that worldwide robot installations for 2014 will show an increase of at least 15 per cent on 2013 and growth will continue on average by 12 per cent per year until 2017. Technical training programs with FANUC robots and automation combine academic, technical and employability skills that will help companies overcome the current shortage of workers with STEM skills (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
Follow the link to see the Christmas card video.
