Cool at School

Cool at School

Finch Tales

by Michelle Church

Educators at Jefferson Morgan middle school have a mission: to make science interesting and accessible to all students with their innovative Finch Robot program.

“The administration and staff believe that programming is a fundamental and basic skill, not an advanced topic. We strive to provide these opportunities for all of our students and not just a select few,” shares science teacher Ms. Suzanne Boyle.

Ms. Boyle learned of the Finch Robot program from STEAM Innovation Summer Institute of South Fayette last year. STEAM is an educational approach that focuses on Sciences, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics.

Ms. Boyle says the Finch program is able to introduce students to computer science and coding in a “fun and engaging manner.” Students learn how to dissect a problem and analyze solutions. This fresh method helps to promote analytical thinking and peer collaboration.

A total of ten Finch Robots were donated to Ms. Boyle’s 8th’ grade class by Mr. and Mrs. Leidecker of Jesmar Energy. The student-to-Finch ratio is two students per robot, encouraging teamwork for students; students of varying skills and ability are able to work together on projects.

The Finch Robots are initially used to teach students to code simple movements by the robot. The Finch has a rich interactivity; as the students learn they are able to teach the Finch new actions. The students have taught the Finch Robots to turn, to change their beak color, and to make various sounds using a buzzer. The Finch Robots have also been taught a few additional, delightful activities. The Finch has been used as a spinner in board games like Twister and Chutes & Ladders. It has also been coded with the songs Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Happy Birthday and Yankee Doodle. The Finch was then taught to dance to these songs.

“We are hoping to provide this time of exploration so that students can have many options available to them as they progress through high school and ultimately as they choose future career paths”, says Ms. Boyle.

Interest in STEAM may lead to jobs in Accounting, Engineering or Programming. Due to the critical analytical skills used in the courses, it may also appeal to a future logistics manager, business analyst or even a detective. In addition to students in Ms. Boyle’s class, the 7th grade is using a Finch for Harry Potter Kano Coding. The high school students have coded their Finch robots with the song “Paint it Black”.

Ms. Boyle recommends several books for those interested in learning more about the importance of robotics. Spare Parts by Rebecca Emberley will appeal to small children. Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly and its corresponding movie will appeal to adults.

In a world where technology is constantly changing, adaptation is a valuable skill. “Whatever the mind of man can conceive, and believe, it can achieve,” Napoleon Hill, an American selfhelp author, once said. These words have never felt truer.