The Foundation for a Meaningful Life
Kindergarten - Grade 9 in Southborough, MA
Kindergarten - Grade 9 in Southborough, MA
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Robots Unleashed
Sixth graders build engineering design and programming skills in robotics
What could you accomplish if you had a personal robot to do your bidding? Sixth graders have been exploring this question in Andy Long’s science class as they build and program robots to complete a series of increasingly complex challenges. Starting with relatively simple tasks like programming a robot to travel across a table without falling off, students are working towards more advanced skills like creating a remote control and programming a robot to find its way around the entire Root Building. It’s an exercise that builds computer programming skills with an emphasis on logical and linear thinking, engineering design, and troubleshooting.
Fay’s science program introduces to robotics to first and third graders. Sixth grade is the intermediate step in the program. By eighth grade, students are ready to tackle more intensive language-based programming. However, for many sixth grade students, this is their first experience with robotics. “I’m always so excited for the kids who have never done this before,” says Andy. “When they accomplish something really complicated, they are leaping and screaming with excitement!”
With more students discovering robotics at a younger age, the challenge is to keep the program ahead of the curve. Andy has carefully designed the unit to challenge every student from beginners to those with more experience. “For kids who have done this before, it’s a chance to shine,” Andy says. “They get to teach the other students what they know, and it highlights a very different set of skills.”
48 MAIN STREET
SOUTHBOROUGH, MA 01772
main number 508-490-8250
admission 508-490-8201
SOUTHBOROUGH, MA 01772
main number 508-490-8250
admission 508-490-8201
