Robots large and small were under construction this summer at Massapequa High School, as young engineers assembled, programmed and tinkered during a pair of camps.
From July 27-30, nine students from the high school’s Robotics Club began their preparations for the upcoming Vex Robotics competition season. The team, led by technology teacher Matt Swanson, will take part in regional events in the winter against other high schools. This year’s challenge requires building a robot that can pick up and stack different game pieces on the competition field, such as cups and pins. Students worked on building the lift – an extension of the robot that allows it to stack objects at heights up to 50 inches.
Team members Caiden K., a senior, and Anthony B., a junior, said this summer they focused on the hardware, then shift to programming when the school year begins. One of the components they have to program is an AI vision sensor that helps the robot detect objects on the field.
The following week, 51 students entering grades 6-9 took part in the Lego Robotics Camp at the high school. Mr. Swanson was joined by fellow technology teachers Matt Anderer and Mike Spiritis to teach the enthusiastic young engineers how to build and program robots from Lego Spike kits.
The camp took place over four days, five hours per day, providing ample time for students to build, test and adjust. Leading up to the camp, Mr. Anderer designed the robot build and created instructions, ensuring that students would have a uniform experience to understand the basics. They learned how to move it forwards and backwards, how the sensors work and how to move an arm up and down. Students could then be creative with their robots and add more components after mastering the planned build.
Participants programmed their robots using Scratch-based coding through the Lego Spike software. They use the same kits in Berner Middle School’s technology classes and can also gain more experience by participating in the Robotics Club, which attends regional First Lego League competitions.
“At the camp, the goal is for them to have fun and get a taste of how stuff works,” Mr. Anderer said. “We also like to introduce them to the Robotics Club and what it’s all about.”
This year’s Robotics Camp featured many returning students along with several newcomers. Rising ninth grader Nicholas S. attended for the fourth time and hopes to join the high school Robotics Club in the future.
“It’s very fun,” he said of the camp. “You get to create and explore. I like seeing what other people can make and seeing how I can improve my robot.”
Seventh grader Daniella R. came to camp for the first time and had a blast. She enjoyed making new friends with similar interests and working with others to complete the different challenges.
“Legos and robots are my two favorite things, so if I came here, I could combine them,” she said.