Thursday, October 9, 2014

Junior Robotics

JPII started a Junior Robotics program this year, and Elizabeth dove in, head first.  She loves Legos, so we were not that surprised that she would be interested in robotics, but to be honest, we were a bit surprised with her level of enthusiasm.  The Junior Robotics program meets twice a week for two hours, which is a huge time commitment for a 10 year old that is already bursting at the seams with extra-curricular activities, but she can't get enough.  For example, when I got home on Monday night, I asked her "how was robotics today?"  She replied, "Good.  Great.  Awesome, actually."  It makes me a bit giddy to see how much she is caught up in this. After all, nerds rule the world.

This morning, the school's Facebook page featured a photo spread by the talented Cathy Avalone, photojournalist for the New Haven Register, and the following description of the program:

Focused on building an interest in science and engineering in children, JPII FIRST® LEGO® League Robotics Program is a hands-on program designed to capture young children's curiosity and direct it toward discovering how science and technology impact the world around them.
This program features a real-world challenge, to be explored through research, critical thinking and imagination. Guided by adult coaches, team members work with LEGO elements and motorized parts to build ideas and concepts and present them for review.




She's in this photo, just behind the boy with the remote. I just wish I could see her face.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

The amount of opportunities these kids will find if they continue down this path is endless. The tech companies in Manchester are telling the school department they need exactly this so they can hire the talent they are struggling to find now and keep their business's in Manchester. I think Dean Kamen would love this post!!

Anonymous said...

Kathy, I was thinking of Dean also...this is so great. It is like a cross between playing with toys while building a base for higher education in what will be a very competitive field. Good going, Elizabeth! Grammy L