Robotics Kishroniyah 2025

For our Robotics Kishroniyah program this year, we’re purchased all-new robots for our campers to explore and program!  This year, participants were able to use Sphero Bolt+ and RVR+ robots to explore how software can connect to sensors and motors to make things move.  The chanichim/ot (campers) learned how to program and control the robots, to see what they can make them do as they challenge each other in obstacle courses and other competitions.  They even taught some of the robots to paint!  (Check out this week’s Ten for ROO update video to see a clip of that!)

The kids also had fun pitting their robots against each other!  Please enjoy the silly video they created, with footage of what they called WWE Robokish!

Kishroniyah is one of our centerpiece programs for our Tzad Bet (B-Side) chanichim/ot (campers).  Kishroniyah comes from the Hebrew word kishron, which means skill.  For one week each summer, we invite an array of high-level specialists into camp to run intense special programs for our older campers.  Machonand Nivonim have 12 hours of Kishroniyah from Sunday-to-Wednesday, and Magshimim and Bogrim have 8 hours of Kishroniyah from Wednesday-to-Friday.

Robotics Kishroniyah was overseen by engineer Phil Glick.  Educated as a mechanical engineer and a manufacturing engineer, Phil has spent most of his 35-year career writing software for industrial robot systems to be used in factories around the world.  His work can be found in automotive, electronics, medical and pharmaceutical, aerospace and food businesses.  Phil’s projects are in locations throughout the US, and also in Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia.  Among his cool projects are robots to paint the Stealth Bomber, robots to build cell phones and Bose music systems, robots to make cosmetics and package the cookies for ice cream sandwiches and robots to build parts for Ford and Chrysler cars.  If you have ever had an injury that required stitches, there is a good chance that Phil programmed the robots and cameras to make the needle.  As a parent of a Ramah graduate, Phil loves coming for Kishroniyah to be a part of the camp experience!

Three people sit in a wooden room with large windows, each using a laptop. Toy cars and cups are on a central table. A sign reads “WWE Robokish,” and a camera on a tripod records the scene.Three teenage boys sit close together indoors, smiling at the camera. One boy holds a white and red object with wheels, while the others have their arms around each other in a friendly gesture. Wooden walls and a window are in the background.Two smiling teens sit on a wooden bench indoors. One holds a glowing blue robotic ball and the other has a laptop on their lap. A colorful sign with Hebrew writing hangs on the wall behind them.Three boys work together indoors; two focus on a laptop while the third looks at a tablet. A small wheeled robot sits on the table next to them.