Lego Robotics
I have been involved in Lego Robotics for the past five years now. I have to admit - I'm kind of obsessed.
Here's a quick primer:
So that's that. Research, write, perform, build, program, compete. What I like about it so much is that it's painless to coach. Legos are just too awesome. And kids (as well as adults) just get sucked in trying to get the robot to do what it's supposed to do. Problem solving, teamwork, persistence, math, science and whatever else (meteorology and geology this year).
SeaPerch
The second thing is closely related. Last summer I had the opportunity to be an instructor for a summer program for middle school students. The program, SeaPerch, was a one week camp where students traveled in from the villages to build a remote operated submersible. Over the course of a week each student built a SeaPerch from simple materials (PVC, netting, zipties, model airplane props, and a trio of motors) that they got to take home at the end of the week. Another fascinating, easy to teach group. All the learning kids love. The easiest thing in the world to teach.
I have been involved in Lego Robotics for the past five years now. I have to admit - I'm kind of obsessed.
Here's a quick primer:
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| Running the robot during the competition |
- Our fifth through eighth graders have the opportunity to join an extra-curricular club/team known as robotics.
- Each season, we, along with a couple dozen other teams across the district participate in the annual First Lego League (FLL for short) competition.
- For the competition, each team designs, builds, and programs a robot. The robot has a series of missions that it must accomplish to earn points.
- In addition to the robotics side, the teams also create a project that offers a solution to a problem based on a theme. The theme this year: Nature's Fury.
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| Modifying programs - trying to apply a cast |
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| Team Building - Building a tower to touch the ceiling |
So that's that. Research, write, perform, build, program, compete. What I like about it so much is that it's painless to coach. Legos are just too awesome. And kids (as well as adults) just get sucked in trying to get the robot to do what it's supposed to do. Problem solving, teamwork, persistence, math, science and whatever else (meteorology and geology this year).
SeaPerch
The second thing is closely related. Last summer I had the opportunity to be an instructor for a summer program for middle school students. The program, SeaPerch, was a one week camp where students traveled in from the villages to build a remote operated submersible. Over the course of a week each student built a SeaPerch from simple materials (PVC, netting, zipties, model airplane props, and a trio of motors) that they got to take home at the end of the week. Another fascinating, easy to teach group. All the learning kids love. The easiest thing in the world to teach.
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| After assembly, the chassis get spray painted |
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| The concept of neutral buoyancy was never easier to teach |
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| Three days of soldering. Three long days. |
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| Testing out the SeaPerches at the harbor. |
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