ACMS Robotics Pathway

Moderation state
funded
Grant Applicant
Jonathon Levin
Grant Co-applicants
Andrew Olson
School Site
Alder Creek Middle School
Grant Category
Career Technical Education (CTE)
Grant Date
2024-06-01T12:00:00
Description

Lego and VEX robotics offer students a simple and hands-on opportunity to integrate design thinking, engineering and coding with real world issues and scenarios! ACMS ACES students are excited by the opportunity to work with robots and use their knowledge of programming to bring their designs and ideas to life. They learn through building, creating, and problem solving when learning about coding and robotics.

Currently, students first venture into the world of robotics in 6th grade using the now retired Lego Mindstorm EV3 system of robots. However, these are no longer compatible with student chromebooks and are not receiving further software updates. Heidi Bushway Verkler at North Tahoe School recently transitioned from EV3 to Spike Prime Robotics and has shared that many of the pieces and programs that we already use will be compatible and applicable with the new robotics platform. The new system also provides scaffolding and support through their online curriculum by helping make abstract physical science concepts come alive. The colorful bricks move from drag and drop block coding language to the python language, which the students at ACMS can use as they progress through our sequence of ACES courses which incorporate technology. This would integrate nicely with the increased emphasis on coding and robotics in some of the 7th grade ACES offerings, such as the work that Mr. Olson started this year with VEX robotics.

We are also hoping to engage 8th graders in competition simulations using the VEX competition kits and competition materials included in this grant. With 6th graders, I hope to guide students through past Lego League Challenges that focus on sustainable energy as well as other real world issues. Students will complete robotics challenges themed around sustainable energy sources and use as well as investigate and design real world solutions that could improve energy efficiency in their community or across the globe. This will also help give them a foundation and introduction to the coding, design and engineering skills that will be expanded upon with Mr. Olson’s VEX robotics course. Finally, we are hoping to create an offering for 8th graders who are interested in taking on more advanced challenges to engage them with the VEX competition kits where they will use design thinking to create and control robots that compete in real time against their peers, with the capacity to expand towards a competitive robotics team.

Benefits of Program

The ACMS Robotics Pathway grant benefits all ACES students at ACMS by providing opportunities for hands-on learning in robotics. With updated supplies, all ACMS students except those in specialized electives, such as band or spanish, would engage with robotics materials as part of their ACES rotations. Approximately 300 students annually access our Tech Lab each year, where robotics is a central component of STEAM education. These materials are also available for independent exploration during recess, fostering exploration and experimentation. Through our program, students will develop and apply 21st-century skills such as collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking. The pathway also offers inclusivity and teamwork opportunities, with potential for competitive robotics engagement.

Success of Program

Success of "an ACMS Robotics pathway" is evident when students take what they have worked with in class and start to create their own problems, challenges and solutions. It starts with a guided and scaffolded curriculum to ensure all students can engage with the materials, however students quickly imagine their own applications and approaches for using the Lego materials and programming languages in new and innovative ways. This opportunity for creative thinking empowers students as designers of their learning experiences.

With robotics, students discover that the real learning takes place when their projects fail, when they collaborate on ways to improve, and when they reiterate to eventually find solutions to problems. Success would look like students who feel comfortable exploring the world of robotics and coding (outside of the Lego education platform) and apply that knowledge in other facets of STEAM education inside and outside of the lab.  Success will also be apparent when students opt into continuing to advance in robotics and begin to build community and collaboration with others who share their passions and interests. The 6th and 7th grade ACES offerings expose a wide number of students to what is possible with robotics, and we are hoping to build an offering that will give 8th graders who want to specialize in robotics the opportunity to do so.

As many students at ACMS take ACES, an ACMS Robotics Pathway will give many students exposure to the fields of robotics, engineering and design and success may be that they choose to continue their learning and exploration in these fields in the future.

Implementation

Implementation of an ACMS Robotics Pathway will provide a new and supported stepping stone into the world of robotics in the ACMS Tech Lab. This program would start with the 6th graders but expand into 7th and 8th grade. Students would work through the Lego SPIKE Prime secondary lessons. These lessons would also be good for 7th graders who are learning about coding and robotics.

The SPIKE Prime program moves into more complex building and coding, moving from the block coding to the python language. At that time, students would then be more knowledgeable and have a foundation so that they can engage with the robotics challenges and explorations focused on Sustainable Energy. Additionally, each year Lego produces additional challenge kits, so AA funding could be used to expand curriculum into other topics (such as healthy lifestyles, animal stewardship and/or space exploration).

We are looking to create opportunities for 8th graders to opt into more advanced robotics options, which integrates very nicely with the current “design thinking” curriculum used in the 8th grade Technology ACES course and compliments coding and other STEAM based ACES offerings across all 3 grade levels.

Can you share this grant with your grade level or subject team?

The goal of this grant is to span multiple grade levels and there may be opportunities to collaborate with the science teams on campus or with other TTUSD elementary and middle schools as they are using similar platforms. I would be able to share LEGO curricula and resources with Heidi Bushway Verkler who teaches the most similar courses/grades as I do.

As much as possible, the resources would be open to all students during lunch for anyone on campus to use the robotic supplies. Mr. Olson expressed interest in developing a competitive robotics program, and the supplies in this grant help to provide a pathway for students in 6th grade to start with robotics and those in 8th grade to have access to more advanced supplies and tools than before. Integrating smoothly with the existing materials being used in the tech lab and 7th grade ACES courses.

Sustainability
If an ACMS Robotics Pathway is fully funded there would be minimal need for additional funding, other than possible replacement parts in the near future. These kits will replace the retired Lego Mindstorm EV3s, which were purchased several years ago and had a product lifespan of 10 years. The Lego SPIKE curriculum is online and easily accessible through the students' chromebooks. Replacement parts, or additional kits and additional curricular resources could also be purchased in the future with Measure AA Technology funds. This program also comes with FREE educational tech support to all Lego Education and VEX customers. As additional supplies are developed or future competitions are released, AA funding can be used in order to augment the materials purchased with this grant.
Amount Funded
$11622.00
Individual Budget Items(s)
$6229 - 12 sets of Lego Education SPIKE Prime set
$4074 - 6 VEX IQ Competitions Kits
$135 - VEX Field Game Elements (2024-2025 version to be released in April ‘24)
Shipping
$322.77
Taxes
$861.15
Other funding sources

Measure AA funding can be used to compliment and supplement some of the materials we are asking for as well as replace damaged goods. However AA funding is generally intended to benefit the students who will use the supplies that year. We are hoping this grant will supply us with the essential supplies needed to develop a multi-year program and then use AA funding for additional supplies year to year.

File Uploads
LegoQuote.pdf (82.04 KB)
VexCompetitionKit+Field.pdf (168.83 KB)
Supporting Links
Spike Prime Product Website
Lego SPIKE Prime Introduction
VEX IQ Competition Kits
VEX IQ Competition Field Elements
VEX IQ Competition Video
Notes

This could be separated into two grants as the VEX IQ competition kits will benefit mainly 8th graders work with more advanced robotics curriculum and the LEGO materials will be used primarily with 6th graders to replace the existing (discontinued) EV3 Robotic supplies.