Boothbay robotics class goes high-tech
Many schools around Maine and the United States offer robotics as an after-school program. At Boothbay Region High School, robotics is a real class that gives students course credit. The class is taught by Emily Higgins, and runs until mid January.
This is the fourth year the robotics class has been offered at Boothbay Region High School. In previous years, the class has used Legosets to build. This is the first year the class is using VEX robots, which are much more advanced.
“These robots are much more customizable,” sophomore Dimitri Gosselin said. “They have lots of gears and different ways they can fit together.”
Gosselin is working on his robot, along with sophomore Noah Sherburne.
The students not only learn to build the robots, but will also learn how to program them using software called easyC.
“We will start learning that part soon,” freshman John Marshall said. “This class is a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to learning more.”
On Dec. 13, the class will be competing in the VEX robotics Skyrise competition.
“There are two parts to the competition,” Higgins said. “One part involves programming the robot to do a programmed task, and the other involves the student controlling the robot directly.”
All the students seem excited to be in class, and are focused on what they are doing. But another noticeable thing in class is that all the students are boys.
“It's an ongoing problem,” Higgins said. Steps have already been taken to encourage more girls who might be interested to sign up next year.
“Robotics and engineering are now being introduced in the middle school, and all students take the course,” Higgins said. “That's where we sent the Legosets we used to use.”
By introducing the concepts of engineering and robotics earlier, to all students, girls (and boys as well) who might not have been interested before have a chance to see if they would like to pursue further learning in the subject.
Principal Dan Welch has been very excited about the new equipment the robotics class is using.
“He sticks his head in frequently to see how it's going,” Higgins said.
Related:
