By Angie Kalthoff and Dr. Matt Keil
Robotics and computational thinking are both a growing area of interest as the global demand continues to expand. St. Cloud Area School District is proud to offer students an opportunity to explore the skills necessary for a technical future. While this looks different at each grade level, it is all about students learning the skills and the mindset for success, including problem-solving, persistence and creative thinking.
District 742 elementary schools were fortunate to benefit from a grant through the Library Services and Technology Act from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This grant allows schools to align plugged activities, unplugged activities and robots with each grade level.
The goal is to support computational thinking and provide all students with the opportunity to experience computer science in elementary school.
Beginning with algorithmic thinking, students learn how to program a character through a series of challenges. This eventually transfers to an overall understanding of how to program a robot. The grant also provides teachers with hands-on activities to help students think logically and evaluate what is and what is not working.
Students formulate a plan step-by-step and look for patterns. They learn how to break down situations into parts and remove any unnecessary details. As they create their programs, they’re able to change pieces to see what happens and fix errors as they occur. In this process, students collaboratively build their perseverance by continuing to work on a project, even as they encounter problems. For example, first-grade students program BlueBots while working with addition. Other students practice measurement in millimeters and non-standard units in second grade with Dash and Dot.
Retelling a story with the Ozobot allows students to use their creativity and imagination. As the students get older, they are able to participate and interact online with others. Madison and Discovery fifth-grade students were able to participate recently in a worldwide hangout with Hadi Partovi, CEO of Code.org, during the 2016 Hour of Code kickoff.
As students move from elementary school into middle school and high school, their opportunity to continue their work with robotics continues.
The Tech High School VEX Robotics Club, led by technical education teacher, Dr. Matthew Keil, was established in 2015 and includes 36 amazing students, two passionate advisors and six caring sponsors who make up six VEX robotics teams named Tigris ex Machina (98377A-F).
“It’s awesome opportunities,” says Keil. “We [also] have opportunities for students with special needs that can come and be a part of a team, help build these robots, help drive these robots and help problem-solve.”
The teams currently compete at the state level. Students aim to gain knowledge and experience in the field of robotics, apply hands-on work to design and construct robots. They also gain soft skills through team communication, written journals, oral presentations and community outreach.
“It’s [robotics] benefited me by showing me different technical careers,” explains Thomas Wilfong, Tech student. “It helps me find what I like in the engineering field.”
As part of their community outreach plan, students have developed the “BotsforLife Campaign.” A campaign that includes a website, distribution of free stickers at every event, pop-up banners and oral presentations. The students have also promoted robotics by presenting to the St. Cloud Board of Education as well as multiple schools and organizations. The Tech Robotics program is made up of students of different genders, races, economic status and grade-levels, who were born in different countries, speak different languages, hold different religious beliefs and are challenged by different learning disabilities.
Robotics at all grades provides opportunities for District 742 students for lifelong learning, careers and enjoyment.
Learn more about the VEX Robotics team!