JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
As part of a Randolph Elementary School effort to encourage participation by students interested in technology, engineering, construction and computer programming, fifth-graders attended their first robotics club meeting Sept. 24.
During the after-school meeting, 16 children racked their minds to answer a seemingly obvious question for the 21st century: "What is a robot?"
Students formed four teams and were assigned Lego Mindstorms kits, which included parts for remote-controlled car-sized robots on wheels with arms, color sensors and speaking devices.
The groups will build and program robots following directional commands via computer chips that sync with software during monthly meetings until May.
"The hands-on approach makes the kids think and physically apply technical and problem-solving skills," Elizabeth Henry, Randolph Elementary School computer teacher and robotics club sponsor, said. "This is a different type of learning than in a typical classroom."
The robotics club, now in its third year, will soon be joined by a new video game design club open to fourth- and fifth-graders, also sponsored by Henry.
Using two websites,
http://www.minecraftedu.com and
http://www.gamestarmechanic.com, students will learn basic tenets of level design and create their own video games. The first video game design club meeting is scheduled for Oct. 24.
Henry said the clubs are important because they promote professional fields in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to young learners.
"After a request for STEM funding, the district received a $1.4 million grant from the Department of Defense," Henry said. "The money helps fund programs like these that give students the option to become something other than doctors or lawyers. They allow them to step into the technology arena, which is rapidly expanding the job market."
Lt. Col. Lex Cloutier, 99th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot, is involved with the robotics club as a second-year volunteer. He signed up when he learned his daughter was joining.
"When kids see adults come to this, they get excited," Cloutier said. "Interacting with them and watching them make real connections with math and science is extremely rewarding."
The best part, Cloutier said, is observing students react to failed robot designs "because their minds become stimulated and they work as a team to overcome obstacles."
Last year, one group successfully programmed its robot to navigate around an obstacle course, Henry said.
The robotics club meets 3:15-4:30 p.m. once a month on a Tuesday, and the video game design club meets 3:15-4:30 p.m. once a month on a Thursday.
Anyone with a Department of Defense ID card and a valid driver's license or ID can volunteer by emailing Henry at henry@rfised.net.