Robotics prepare students for future careers
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By David Kilby| Correspondent
Sacred Heart Elementary School, Mount Holly, is teaching its students how to have fun with computer programming, and learn something valuable using LEGOS in its new robotics program.
To see photo gallery on this story, click here.
The students put together the pre-packaged robots, then use software specially made for the robots to program its movements.
Even though the robots came in a box, Principal Carla Chiarelli said the program is a way of thinking outside the box. Just like with classic LEGOS, the creativity happens when the builder decides how to put the robot together, and the programming aspect provides another dimension of creative potential.
“We’re moving into the future here,” she added. “This is something that’s starting to take off in universities, colleges and high schools. We’re starting the foundation here in elementary school so when they get to high school they’ve already dabbled in it. This offers them optional career choices that they wouldn’t have been offered in any other schools.”
Seventh-grader Matt Kilkenny demonstrated what he has learned with a robot he created with a “perfect square program.” After downloading the necessary LEGO Mind program on a computer, he programmed the robot to turn left and right in a perfect square.
“I can pretty much do anything I want with it,” he said. “You can make it do shapes, you can make it do an obstacle course. You can take this robot apart and build your own robot.”
“It’s really fun,” said eighth-grader Gabrielle Fernan. “It gives you lots of confidence, especially when you’ve made something and it actually works.”
Eighth-grader Justin Holgado said his grade is building robots that are called “mindstorms” because they get the students’ minds storming with ideas.
Holgado mentioned how the robotics program has taught him the binary system, and said it also taught him how to build a robot with a head, arms and wheels that can sense the ground underneath it.
Fifth-grader Faith Rowland said she learned how to connect gears through the program.
“If the gears don’t connect, it won’t work properly,” she said. “It’s just really fun for everyone. If you don’t look at the directions before starting, it won’t end up right in the end.”
“It’s fun building and seeing if the parts fit together,” said sixth-grader Brett Hilgetag, adding that the students use a lot of teamwork to build their robots, usually pairing up in teams of two.
The all-year weekly robotics course is 75 to 90 minutes long, which gives the students plenty of time to learn all the programming required to create a wide variety of machines.
Sixth through eighth grade math teacher Marieve Patterson worked with computer science teacher Stephanie Wajda to develop the robotics program for the school.
“It’s a collaborative team working process where the students work in small groups, and it encourages them to listen to their partner, to use skills from both students, or three students in a group,” Wajda said.
Wajda added that there are so many career opportunities emerging in the field of computer science that there aren’t enough people available to fill the positions.
She said the robotics program, which cost about $4,000, incorporates STEM technology which brings together the subjects of science, technology, engineering and math.
“You’re bringing in basic concepts from other subjects and promoting those skills in all students,” she said.
Chiarelli explained that the students learn the computer programming necessary for the robots through Scratch, an educational, simple programming language developed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology, for use by students, teachers and parents.
She also mentioned that there may be a national standard for robotics programs implemented into curriculums in the near future.
Drexel University introduced the program to Sacred Heart School with the interest of implementing robotics into lower grade levels, and a variety of donors helped make it a reality. In the future, seniors from Rancocas Valley Regional High School, which also teaches robotics, will help mentor the students as well.
Chiarelli added that the purpose of the program, in addition to fostering an appreciation for robotics and technology, is to encourage social skills and autonomy, adding that the program teaches students to work together and come up with creative ideas.
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By David Kilby| Correspondent
Sacred Heart Elementary School, Mount Holly, is teaching its students how to have fun with computer programming, and learn something valuable using LEGOS in its new robotics program.
To see photo gallery on this story, click here.
The students put together the pre-packaged robots, then use software specially made for the robots to program its movements.
Even though the robots came in a box, Principal Carla Chiarelli said the program is a way of thinking outside the box. Just like with classic LEGOS, the creativity happens when the builder decides how to put the robot together, and the programming aspect provides another dimension of creative potential.
“We’re moving into the future here,” she added. “This is something that’s starting to take off in universities, colleges and high schools. We’re starting the foundation here in elementary school so when they get to high school they’ve already dabbled in it. This offers them optional career choices that they wouldn’t have been offered in any other schools.”
Seventh-grader Matt Kilkenny demonstrated what he has learned with a robot he created with a “perfect square program.” After downloading the necessary LEGO Mind program on a computer, he programmed the robot to turn left and right in a perfect square.
“I can pretty much do anything I want with it,” he said. “You can make it do shapes, you can make it do an obstacle course. You can take this robot apart and build your own robot.”
“It’s really fun,” said eighth-grader Gabrielle Fernan. “It gives you lots of confidence, especially when you’ve made something and it actually works.”
Eighth-grader Justin Holgado said his grade is building robots that are called “mindstorms” because they get the students’ minds storming with ideas.
Holgado mentioned how the robotics program has taught him the binary system, and said it also taught him how to build a robot with a head, arms and wheels that can sense the ground underneath it.
Fifth-grader Faith Rowland said she learned how to connect gears through the program.
“If the gears don’t connect, it won’t work properly,” she said. “It’s just really fun for everyone. If you don’t look at the directions before starting, it won’t end up right in the end.”
“It’s fun building and seeing if the parts fit together,” said sixth-grader Brett Hilgetag, adding that the students use a lot of teamwork to build their robots, usually pairing up in teams of two.
The all-year weekly robotics course is 75 to 90 minutes long, which gives the students plenty of time to learn all the programming required to create a wide variety of machines.
Sixth through eighth grade math teacher Marieve Patterson worked with computer science teacher Stephanie Wajda to develop the robotics program for the school.
“It’s a collaborative team working process where the students work in small groups, and it encourages them to listen to their partner, to use skills from both students, or three students in a group,” Wajda said.
Wajda added that there are so many career opportunities emerging in the field of computer science that there aren’t enough people available to fill the positions.
She said the robotics program, which cost about $4,000, incorporates STEM technology which brings together the subjects of science, technology, engineering and math.
“You’re bringing in basic concepts from other subjects and promoting those skills in all students,” she said.
Chiarelli explained that the students learn the computer programming necessary for the robots through Scratch, an educational, simple programming language developed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology, for use by students, teachers and parents.
She also mentioned that there may be a national standard for robotics programs implemented into curriculums in the near future.
Drexel University introduced the program to Sacred Heart School with the interest of implementing robotics into lower grade levels, and a variety of donors helped make it a reality. In the future, seniors from Rancocas Valley Regional High School, which also teaches robotics, will help mentor the students as well.
Chiarelli added that the purpose of the program, in addition to fostering an appreciation for robotics and technology, is to encourage social skills and autonomy, adding that the program teaches students to work together and come up with creative ideas.
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