Via @ Town Lively 

Baxter, a state-of-the-art, human-like educational robot, has made a return visit to the Lancaster Science Factory (LSF), 454 New Holland Ave., Lancaster. Guests may interact with Baxter at LSF’s Science Cafe at four different times each weekday: 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. as well as 1 and 2 p.m.

Baxter the Robot was built in conjunction with Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology and debuted at LSF last summer. The machine comes to LSF through a Stevens initiative called Building STEM Learning With Mobile Robotics, which works to emphasize the importance of technical education and encourage excitement in youths. Baxter, one of two robots currently owned by the college, will be demonstrating processes similar to those used professionally in industry.

Rich Nolt, a Manheim Township High School technology education and engineering teacher, serves as the exhibit’s instructor. According to Nolt, the demonstration gives students a chance to understand systems, including the inputs and outputs of a system and how it can be controlled and manipulated to do something useful.

Additionally, a Lego Mindstorms activity space will allow participants to have a hands-on robotics experience. Mindstorms, the robotics ecosystem produced by the popular construction toy maker, allows users to design, build, and program their own robots. Mindstorms projects are intended to educate children on problem solving, critical thinking, and basic robotics. Builders can follow premade directions or create from their imaginations.

Baxter and the Lego Mindstorms exhibit will be on display at LSF through Friday, July 29, and are included with paid admission or membership. Special admission rates are available for groups of 10 or more people with advance reservations.

LSF is a nonprofit science and technology center with the mission of creating an environment of learning that helps children develop curiosity, think creatively, and build self-confidence as they learn the principles of science and the application of science in engineering and technology. For general information and admission prices, readers may call 509-6363 or visit https://www.lancastersciencefactory.org.