Jim Thorpe, PA -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/24/2011 -- The Weatherly Institute for Robotics and Engineering (WIRE) will be holding a robotics demo at the Wilkes-Barre location of Barnes & Noble Booksellers on Friday, January 21, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.

The demo will feature sample robots and software programming using Lego Mindstorm Robotics kits. There will also be a brief discussion of today’s state of robotics, where the discipline is headed in the near future and what opportunities it offers to today's students.

“We have been teaching kids about robotics and engineering for the past seven years,” said Stephen Kew-Goodale, executive director of WIRE. “It has always been our goal to expose young people to the great world of engineering, and to encourage them to consider engineering as a field of study in their college careers.”

The event is aimed at kids between the ages of 7 and 14, but parents who are interested in seeing hands-on engineering are also encouraged to attend.

The institute has taught thousands of hours of classes at a variety of locations covering many types of engineering education including robotics, programming, electronics, structural engineering, aerospace engineering and nanotechnology. Among the most important fields WIRE teaches to both youth and adults is alternative energy.

About Weatherly Institute for Robotics and Engineering
The Weatherly Institute for Robotics and Engineering (WIRE) was built on a solid foundation laid down over years by the Weatherly Robotics Club, an organization that has led student competitors in the FIRST robotic competition for five years. The organization is a growing group of youths, young adults, and adult mentors that subscribe to the philosophy of gracious professionalism and the teaching of robotics and engineering technology for younger children and young adults. It has created a safe, non-violent, program that allows children of all ages to come and learn about the sciences and to express their own creativity while learning new skills.

WIRE is a non-profit organization, that does accept donations willingly and greatly appreciates them. Find out more about the organization on the website at http://www.weatherlyrobotics.org.