Robots have feelings too! Help our sad robots get some faster and compatible devices to load its programming application so it can win in some robot challenges!
We've been participating in robotics for three years now and the students have been using STEM skills to accomplish different challenges.
The students in the robotics program are comprised of 3rd-5th grade.
Because of a limited of robotics kits, teachers recommend some students based on student interest combined with positive behavior and good academic standing. Recommended students take a survey in answering questions about: teamwork, problem solving, interest level, things can they contribute to the team, goals and accomplishments they expect to meet overall, etc...
Out of approximately 700 student enrollment, our school is 90% military. Students bring many different experiences as they travel to different parts of the world. Students as well as I learn from each other as we share our knowledge and different experiences.
We have a unique environment of students and teachers that work together to establish our school's direction,"One Team, One Mission!" It's a unique environment because students leave our school and new students arrive in a high turnover rate. No matter what, every kid loves coming to school!
My Project
We have some Mac laptops that students can program their Lego robots. Students share these laptops as there is not enough for a 1-1 ratio.
Our state has now committed to participating in a national robotics program for elementary students called VEXIQ. This program does not support files from Apple Mac operating systems. In order to program these robots, we need a Microsoft operating system to be compatible with the VEXIQ program and files.
We are currently using two outdated Lenovo laptops in which is compatible with the VEXIQ program, but it loads up too slow. The laptops are also big, heavy and runs out of power rapidly.
With the 2 Microsoft surface tablets and cases, the students will be able to program the robots and practice controlling it of upcoming tournaments in January and February 2014. The tournaments are jam packed and teams are crammed in tiny areas so the Microsoft tablets will be easier to work with as it's smaller, lighter and will be faster in loading the program.
This project will make a difference as it will help the students reach their goals of (STEM) while challenging students from other schools across the state.
It'll also help our students represent our school in a positive way by showing good sportsmanship and sharing our robot structure at the tournaments. Hopefully, we'll be successful in some tournaments and share the awards with the school during assemblies and possibly gain more student interest.
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