Let’s Build A Robot: Allen middle school students learn to code, program at STEM/Robotics Camp
Published 10:48 am Friday, July 19, 2024
Justice Johnson, a seventh-grader at Oakdale Middle School, gets familiar with the controls for her robot Thursday during a STEM and Robotics Camp in Oberlin. Students are challenged to design, assemble and program their own robots before facing off in a friendly-competition.
Tristian Thomas, a seventh-grader at Oakdale Middle School, and Brentlee Lair, a seventh-grader at Elizabeth High School, test their robots to see if they were programmed successfully to avoid obstacles and follow patterns Thursday during a STEM and Robotics Camp in Oberlin. The camp will conclude today with a battle of the robots among campers.
Bowen Burnett, a seventh-grade at Reeves High School, tests the arms on his robot Thursday during a STEM and Robotics Camp in Oberlin. The weeklong camp is designed to pique students' interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics with hands-on activities.
William Wright, a seventh-grader at Kinder Middle School, makes adjustments to his robot Thursday during a STEM and Robotics Camp in Oberlin. The camp focuses on problem solving, critical thinking and team building while strengthening student skills and interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Tristian Thomas, a seventh-grader at Oakdale Middle School, works on his robot on Thursday during a STEM and Robotics Camp in Oberlin. Middle school students from across the parish are using their science, math and other skills to help build and program robots for competition.
Middle school students from across Allen Parish are learning to code, build and program robots this summer as part of a special STEM and Robotics Camp.
The weeklong camp allows the students to experience hands-on learning with programs designed to pique their interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), according to Allen Parish School Board Career and Technical Education Supervisor Kim Rider.
“We are focusing on problem solving, critical thinking and team building while
strengthening their skills and interest in STEM,” Rider said.
Using the STEM design process, students are challenged to design, assemble and program their own robots from kits. Students are also challenged to identify and overcome any problems that occur.
Rider said the camp gives students a chance to use their hands and their minds to build something.
Students are learning to program the robots to perform various tasks, including picking up objects and moving in designated areas without hitting other objects.
“Our goal is to wholeheartedly provide opportunities for the student to discover what STEM is and learn how to improve team building, critical thinking and problem solving so they can translate that into learning all the avenues of the STEM fields because our world is based on technology,” Rider said.
Brentlee Laird, a seventh-grader at Elizabeth High School, is among the students participating in the camp who has an interest in robots and engineering.
“I have learned how to build a robot and that you can build a robot with only two motors,” Laird said. “I’ve also learned to code.”
William Wright, a seventh-grader at Kinder Middle School, said he has always been fascinated by robots, but never had the opportunity to build one.
“I found out I am not very good at coding, but I am good at building stuff with metal,” Wright said, adding that he wants to have his own robot company someday.
Justice Johnson, a seventh-grader at Oakdale Middle School, is excited about learning how to program and design a robot.
“The fun part is getting to see the robot really work and knowing you were a part of it,” she said. “With coding you have to learn how to program the robot and make it move, which has been a bit of a challenge.”
Bowen Burnett, a seventh-grader at Reeves High School, likes the engineering part of the project.
“I like the fact that we have to use coding to make the robot go in the direction we choose,” he said.
Tristian Thomas, a seventh-grader at Oakdale Middle School, is eager to accept the challenge of battling his robot against the other campers.
“I put extra armor on it so it should be able to take it without flipping over,” Thomas said.
Thomas said he wanted to attend the camp because he likes knowing how things are built and how they work. He also has an interest in robots.
