Nao the robot impresses students at Adler Park School in Libertyville

Students at Adler Park Elementary School got a chance to meet the future recently in the form of a state-of-the-art humanoid robot named Nao.

The children were amazed as the 2-foot robot exercised - he performed lunges and situps - and entertained and educated them during the STEM Museum Monday in the school gym in Libertyville.

Almost 250 students in grades K-5 participated in 10 science, technology, engineering and math activities set up like a museum. But is was Nao that was the highlight of the event.

"It is a robot out of France and, up until six weeks ago, it was a prototype," said Mark Bishop, the STEM administrator for Mobile Ed Productions.

"The robot is autonomous and operates without cords and it is wireless. Nao is just an incredible robot. I would say that perhaps it is one step below artificial intelligence."

The program concluded with a demonstration of the robot's physical skills before Nao sang "Happy Birthday" to the student audience.

"It was really cool and I learned a lot," fifth-grader Sarah Cowsky said. "The robot Nao could do a lot of different and cool tricks."

The program was produced by Mobile Ed Productions and funded by the Adler Park Family Association.