As teachers, we know that STEM education is essential in order to be part of our changing world. In my 15 years of teaching, I have seen many programs come and go, but robots and Legos are timeless. Our robotics club brings students from different classes together. It is made up of students who might not have access to these resources at home, students who struggle in the traditional classroom setting, and students who 'light up' in a challenging environment. Additionally, this learning benefits English language learners who are engaged and successful in this environment.
Elementary students are young, but they are children of the 21st century who are excited and hungry to take on this engineering challenge! Our present materials are outdated and run on computers that have become obsolete in our building and are being phased out. Innovation has come to the middle schools and high schools to a degree, but elementary has been left behind.
We have also noticed the unexpected benefits for students working in this environment:
Teamwork- we have seen kids who struggle socially, make a change and productively work with others. They share information, celebrations and work through difficulties together. Shouting hints and ideas to try across the room (we can't do this in a traditional classroom setting) and learning from one another.
Perseverance- kids who might give up on a reading passage or math problem learn to stick with it and they are rewarded with a robot that does what they intended!
A launching pad into the world of engineering!- Kids come to the realization that THIS is engineering! They thought engineering was impossible math, but it can be so much more. It's CREATIVE (who knew!) and FUN! (who knew!)
About my class
As teachers, we know that STEM education is essential in order to be part of our changing world. In my 15 years of teaching, I have seen many programs come and go, but robots and Legos are timeless. Our robotics club brings students from different classes together. It is made up of students who might not have access to these resources at home, students who struggle in the traditional classroom setting, and students who 'light up' in a challenging environment. Additionally, this learning benefits English language learners who are engaged and successful in this environment.
Elementary students are young, but they are children of the 21st century who are excited and hungry to take on this engineering challenge! Our present materials are outdated and run on computers that have become obsolete in our building and are being phased out. Innovation has come to the middle schools and high schools to a degree, but elementary has been left behind.
We have also noticed the unexpected benefits for students working in this environment:
Teamwork- we have seen kids who struggle socially, make a change and productively work with others. They share information, celebrations and work through difficulties together. Shouting hints and ideas to try across the room (we can't do this in a traditional classroom setting) and learning from one another.
Perseverance- kids who might give up on a reading passage or math problem learn to stick with it and they are rewarded with a robot that does what they intended!
A launching pad into the world of engineering!- Kids come to the realization that THIS is engineering! They thought engineering was impossible math, but it can be so much more. It's CREATIVE (who knew!) and FUN! (who knew!)
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