BEACHES CAMPUS

from The Magazine of Episcopal - Summer 2022

by Brandon Westerman

ALUMNI PROFILES AND FEATURES

BEACHES CAMPUS ROBOTICS PROGRAM Bringing STEM to Life

Robotics are transforming typical elementary school classrooms and making STEM a household word. Research and studies have shown that introducing STEM early plays a key role in a child’s cognitive development. Beaches Campus is ensuring ESJ students are benefiting from STEM and robotics by looking for engaging opportunities to bring them to life in the classroom.

“In elementary school, students are still learning with their eyes and hands –drawing, molding, and manipulating objects,” said Shannon Johnson, science instructor on the Beaches Campus. “Students are starting the transition to learning by reading, and robots make it possible for them to work through problems visually and experiment with concepts they are learning.”

There are many examples across campus where students are using robotics to enhance learning opportunities. Fifth grade students had to build robots using LEGO Spike Prime kits. They learned how to code the robots, and use the distance sensor as well as the touch sensor. Fifth grade also had four Mars challenges that they had to complete with their robot which required them to think critically and solve complex problems. Students compared their robots to Perseverance, NASA’s current Mars rover.

Second graders learned how to code Ozobot robots by using various color patterns. Students then built a miniature version of a marketplace and programmed the Ozobots to travel around and through their stores. Students learned basic coding concepts like cause-and-effect, critical thinking and debugging.

The Beaches Campus also introduced a new after school LEGO class this school year. Students in kindergarten through second grade worked on completing the Cargo Connect FIRST LEGO League challenges. They learned how merchandise gets shipped from locations far and wide by ships, planes, and trucks. As part of the challenge students learned how to build sturdy structures, moving vehicles, and robotic machines that are used to transport cargo at shipping ports.

“Students in today’s world are natural innovators who relish and need this creative outlet,” said Shannon. “I am beyond excited to see how the students (and families) have welcomed STEM and robotics to our learning environments here on the Beaches Campus.”