Netflix Contest winners, AT&T researchers Bob Bell and Chris Volinsky, recently told 22 science and technology teachers from throughout New Jersey that collaboration was key to winning the prize money. The occasion was a teacher luncheon, wrapping up a three-day conference at NJIT highlighting the use of robots in science, math and technology classes. The NJIT Center for Pre-College Programs hosted the event, thanks to Netflix prize money won by a team led by Bell and Volinsky and donated last year to NJIT by AT&T.  Teachers walked away with teaching ideas, plus Lego Mind Storm sets to continue building robots back in their classrooms. “My kids are going to be so excited that we now have this kit,” said Rich Bettini, a technology teacher at West Essex High School, North Caldwell, who participated in the learning session. Conference organizer Howard Kimmel, director of the NJIT Center, said that robots were a great way to introduce science and math materials in a multi-disciplinary way to students. “When you design a robot you also teach algebra,” he said. “We also love them because they are a hands-on learning tool, something which always enhances learning.” >>

NEC Foundation of America has awarded NJIT a $32,000 grant to support the dissemination and use of therapeutic video games to serve children with severe sensory and motor disabilities.  >>

Building a robot, busting a crime and launching two rubber-powered model monoplanes number among the dozen-plus exciting opportunities at tomorrow’s annual Science Olympiad at NJIT. >>

Lisa Nocks, PhD, a lecturer in the Federated Department of History at NJIT/Rutgers-Newark, will discuss her research on "The Android Initiative in Fiction and Science" at the Spring 2008 Albert Dorman Honors College Colloquium Series. The presentation, which is open to the public, will be held on March 10, 11:30-a.m.-1 p.m. in the Campus Center Ballroom at NJIT.  >>

A group of 143 high school girls were honored at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) for excelling in science and technology. >>

Robots have been to the moon, to Mars and even, in the form of vacuum cleaners, to shopping malls. But where they haven't been, and where they might be most useful, is in our homes, said Cynthia Breazeal, PhD, one of the nation’s leading roboticists who spoke yesterday at NJIT. “For robots, the final frontier isn’t space; it’s your living room," Breazeal said. >>

Join robot designer, researcher, author and inventor Cynthia Breazeal, PhD, when she introduces her robotic world to students, faculty and staff at NJIT on March 20. The public is invited to the event, which will take place 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Campus Center Ballroom. >>

Five-foot tall, 130-pound, radio-controlled robots will begin to come to life at NJIT Saturday, when hundreds of high school students will be given kits from which they must build and design the robots. "This kick-off event sets the clock ticking and the teams will run back to their schools to start figuring out ways to have their robots win this year's game," said Randy Schaeffer, FIRST regional director for New York City and New Jersey, which is based at NJIT. >>