Summer Robotics Camp Kicks off at ISU

School may be out for the summer, but that doesn't mean the learning has stopped.

More than a dozen local students attended the first annual Haywire Robotics Summer Camp Monday at Idaho State University's College of Technology.

Nuts, bolts, wheels and remotes are key parts to building the perfect robot.

That may not sound very complicated but Trevor Gordon, one of the students participating in the summer camp, says putting it all together isn't easy.

Trevor Gordon, Summer Camper: "We got it all built and then it wouldn't go so we had to completely figure out what was wrong."

The Haywire Robotics Summer Camp is designed to peak kids' interest in science and technology, and while many of these students haven't entered high school yet teachers say they will probably be light years ahead of their peers in many subjects when they do.

Mark Edwards, Pocatello High School Teacher: "Math, science, a little physics, a little electronics involved; in this camp there's programming."

During the camp student mentors from the high school team 1569 will help the kids build robots, program them to go forward, turn around, go in reverse and hopefully inspire them to join team 1569, which competes every year in robotics competitions.

Mollie Gower, High School Mentor: "Say there's a team that's in need of say a part or they don't really get something that's wrong with their robot, then there are other teams that are just waiting to help them."

Teacher Mark Edwards says another reason for the camp is because over the years there has been a shortage of college students going into the fields of science and technology and hopes the summer camp will change that.

Mark Edwards: "It inspires these kids to go on into college, into the engineering field or technical field, something that we have a big problem with in the United States; it's quite a dearth."

And as for Trevor, he says even though it's day one, the camp has done just that.

Trevor Gordon: "I'm really into a lot of electronics and this is just great for it."

The Haywire Robotics Summer Camp continues through Friday and ends with a competition and awards ceremony.