As with most children these days, my Robotics Club students in Charleston, SC absolutely love robots, circuits, smart machines, and anything else technology based that they can manipulate and make move on their own. I have been leading our Robotics Club for the past two years, and every week these students run into the classroom, so excited and eager, even after a long day of school, for what activity we are going to do that day.
I have seen students who are shy during the academic day come alive after school when they enter Robotics Club.
They can't wait to pick up building their code for rescuing Dot in a challenge, coding music on the xylophone with Dash, or sending a Bee-Bot successfully around an obstacle. Last year, a second grade student was so excited to show me his Bee-Bot code: he had coded his Bot to go backwards around a foot-long pieces of tape, turning in a full circle at each corner before ending where it began. This little boy was ecstatic; so proud of himself for what he had done. The creativity and imagination that shines through in my club reminds me every week why this club exists.
My Project
Having a variety of robots and smart machines to explore each week will give my students a chance to tap into their creative and imaginative world. It will also give them an opportunity to explore the world of science and engineering at both a young age and a fun way!
I have been a part of this club for three years, and I have seen how much an hour spent coding and creating means to these students.
I have students who have been in the club every semester for the past three years, and new students signed up who stop me in the hall to say they can't wait for Thursday! Providing them with new, exciting challenges to tackle over the course of this club would mean the world to the world to me, and to them.
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