5th Grade Students Study Robotics
by Steve Hosch
February 18, 2010
Why would students want to learn how to build a robot? Because it’s fun might be the simple answer. However, while it is fun for youth to create the robot and use a computer program to move it in different directions, the experience helps them realize the importance of science, engineering, math, technology, and critical thinking skills which are vital for future careers. The project is a major thrust for Nebraska 4-H which is emerging as a national leader in science education, thanks to a nearly $2.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation.
Helping to learn about the project is UNL Extension Educator Dewey Teel who has Mindstorm kits available to teach young people in schools, 4-H or other organizations about the project. Each kit has a laptop computer with software so the robots can be programmed after they are constructed. Teel also teaches adults about the project who are interested in helping youth learn about the project.
This week he has been teaching the project to the 4th and 5th grade classes in the Lyons-Decatur school. Last week he was at Bancroft-Rosalie where he taught the 5th grade class about the project. The classes used a kit to construct a robot with wheels and a motor. The laptop was used to program the robot to move forward and backward and turn in different directions. In one such activity, two yardsticks were placed on the ground approximately 20 feet apart. Students had to program their robots to cover the exact distance. With each attempt, the students had to reprogram the robot until it covered the required distance perfectly. Once that activity was completed, students were directed to program the robot to back up, turn right, and continue another five feet in the new direction. The students showed diligence and patience determining the right information to punch into the computer to succeed in this activity.
His co-worker Dennis Kahl is with him and teaches entrepreneurship to high school students.
These workshops are part of a series of workshops being held in the area that are made possible by a BECA grant through the Center for Rural Affairs. For more information about the robotics project contact Dewey Teel at dteel1@unl.edu or (402) 929-0373.
